Terrorism

Pakistan has once again assured the world that it is devoted towards fighting extremism and maintaining peaceful relations with all its neighbours.

Pakistan Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman met British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Robert Brinkley and stated that “Pakistan is steadfast in its commitment towards elimination of extremism and for maintaining peaceful relations with all its neighbors.”

Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. M.S. Gill today launched a Nationwide campaign of youth against terrorism and violence "Together For Peace".

This nationwide campaign has been planned by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, to reaffirm their commitment to peace and harmony.

Starting from the National Youth Day, January 12 upto January 30, 2009, a nationwide campaign would be launche to strengthen democratic, secular and pluralist character of our country.

Former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam today said that a national campaign should be formulated for eradication of terrorism.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a seminar here, Dr. Kalam said, "the national campaign should focus on eradicating poverty, education as well as making people aware of the perils of terrorism".

He also called for fast delivery of justice and eradication of poverty as part of the national campaign.

The United States has said that there is a possibility of putting the Democratic People''s Republic of Korea (DPRK) (North Korea) back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

"I suppose these things are always possible," Xinhua quoted State Department spokesman Sean McCormack as saying at a daily briefing on Wednesday, when asked whether Washington would put back the DPRK to the list of state sponsors of terrorism should Pyongyang takes uncooperative steps on its nuclear program.

Senior media persons and experts in the United States are of the view that now more than ever, the United States can play a unique role in helping South Asian countries combat terrorism.

But they add that these countries need to look beyond their own national security.

Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International, who appeared with other noted political authors on CBS'' Face The Nation, said: "What''s happening now is, the problems of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India are bleeding into one another.

The All India Minorities Front National President,S.M. Asif, has appealed to the masses to rise against terrorism and terrorists and teach a befitting lesson to such anti national elements.

He said that the public has lost faith and hope in the Police and the Government and is not a healthy sign for our democracy and the only alternative is to have united public effort on the issue.

America is convinced that the best way to defeat Islamic terrorism is to advance Indian-Pakistani relations and to persuade Islamabad to fight the common enemy on its doorstep.

To this end, Pakistani troops are spearheading a counter-insurgency campaign in Pakistan’s tribal territories while US drones are targeting al-Qaeda leaders.

The counter-attack from the militants has two aims: first, undermine rapprochement between India and Pakistan by provoking a new conflict; secondly, divert Pakistani forces away from their tribal territories to redirect them to the common enemy, India.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have reportedly resolved to crush terrorism within the country, particularly in the tribal areas, and evolve a new security plan for political and religious leaders, at a meeting held at the President’s House last evening.

The two top leaders said terrorists were on the run in Bajaur Agency and that they needed to be contained, reported the Dawn.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday renewed the government''''s commitment to continue fight against terrorism resolutely as it poses a great threat to the unity and communal amity in the country.

Addressing a rally in Delhi on Saturday evening, she accused some political parties of playing politics in the name of terrorism targeting a particular community. She called for launching a fight against communal forces who are dividing the society in the name of religion.

Sonia urged the people to join hands for maintaining peace, communal amity and brotherhood.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly condemned yesterday’s suicide attack on ANP chief Asfandyar Wali in the strongest terms and vowed to continue the fight against terrorism.

The President also called up ANP Chief and expressed his gratitude to Allah Almighty that the veteran politician and coalition partner Asfandyar Wali was safe.