Islamabad, Dec 17 (IANS) The Pakistan cabinet’s Committee on National Security Tuesday decided to stick to the government’s commitment to hold negotiations with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The meeting also decided that the use of other options will be considered only as a last resort, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House here, focused on three key issues – formulation of a national security strategy to safeguard national interests, a strategy on internal security and relations with Afghanistan.
The committee discussed the government’s strategy to engage various groups of Pakistani Taliban to address the issues of extremism and militancy.
It directed the ministries concerned to take measures to facilitate regional peace and stability, the APP report said.
Apprising the committee of his last visit to Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, the prime minister said a number of steps were agreed upon with Afghanistan on political security and economic and commercial cooperation.
It was also agreed at the meeting that the economic development and prosperity of the people of Pakistan can be ensured only through security and stability in the country.
Expressing complete unanimity on national security issues, the committee members
agreed on a number of measures on enhancement of security along the western border, development of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and other bordering areas to bring them at par with national standards.