PAK-LD PARLIAMENT 2 LAST

PTI - Rehman also reportedly briefed lawmakers on the
background of the problem of militancy in Pakistan, which she
said was brewing for some time and was linked to state
policies of the past 30 years.

She said the war against terrorism is being fought for
the larger interest of Pakistan.
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) lawmakers, however, said
they were not satisfied with Rehman's briefing and insisted
that they should be allowed to ask questions.
The special session of parliament, convened by President
Asif Ali Zardari, began last week with a briefing and a
question-and-answer session with I.S.I. chief Lt Gen Ahmad
Shuja Pasha.
But, opposition parties like the P.M.L.-N. said the
briefing focussed only on military tactics and that the
government had not clearly spelt out its policy for fighting
terror.
Senior P.M.L.-N. leader Ahsan Iqbal said: "It's a
political battle. It's not a battle of guns and helicopter
gunships, it's a battle of ideas. And it has to be fought
politically, through education and economic development."
Iqbal also suggested that militants should be included in
the dialogue process as western powers and the government in
Kabul were considering such a step in Afghanistan.
He said his party will submit a proposal in the special
session of Parliament to halt ongoing military operations
against militants and to include "hardliners" and radicals in
the political process. PTI RHL