Pak-Afghan Jirga a Step Forward: Federal Minister Sherry Rehman

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10:34 am

Pak Afghan Jirga a Step Forward: Federal Minister Sherry Rehman ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has said that the Pak-Afghan Jirga in Islamabad took place in an atmosphere of renewed trust and commitment to combat terrorism and there are high hopes from the outcomes of the meeting.

“The Pak-Afghan Jirga, for its participatory nature, takes the process of consensus on counterterrorism policy a step forward,” she said.

The Pakistani side is being represented by legitimate, elected political leaders, which adds to the credibility of the forum.

The unanimous resolution passed by our Parliament on the country’s National Security Policy has a direct impact on the two-day-long meeting in Islamabad since it gives our representatives the mandate for resolving the crisis, Sherry Rehman said.

The Federal Minister said that Pakistan is fighting the battle against terrorism for its own interest and stability.

“It is our territory that is under occupation by terrorist forces, it is our citizens and our military that are being targeted, and it is our economy that is paying the price of the continued assault of terrorists,” the Minister said.

Just this morning, extremists burnt down another girls’ school in Swat, reflecting their zero tolerance for any structure, any institute that contributes to our national development, she pointed out.