Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan to raise special anti-terror force: President

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 9 ,IRNA -- Pakistan would raise special police force to fight militants and extremism more efficiently, President Asif Ali Zardari told a US congressional delegation Wednesday, officials said.

US delegation led by Senator John Kyl is comprised of representatives of the US Senate and House of Representative belonging to both Republican and Democratic political parties.

Matters related to new US initiative announced by President Barrack Obama to fight militancy and terrorism in the region with focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan came under discussion, a statement from the President office said.

“The government would raise special police force with state of the art weapons and equipments with the help of economic assistance by the international community,” the President said.

“This would help fight militants and extremism more efficiently,” Zardari said.

The President said that fight against extremism cannot be won only through military means, as this is one aspect of the solution.

“With this realization, government has resorted to a strategy of dialogue with reconcilable elements that are willing to give up violence”.

The international community has also realized the significance of this approach, he added. Same realization is also reflected in President Obama's review strategy.

The President while resolving firm commitment of Pakistan to fight extremism said that we will never give in to the militants and extremists.

Zardari while welcoming the delegation said that Pakistan appreciates the focus of international community on helping fight the militancy and extremism. He added that Pakistan needs economic assistance to help alleviate poverty particularly in the affected areas of the country.

Referring to the upcoming meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan, the President said that soon he will be going to Tokyo to attend that meeting and that he expects generous political and strategic support of the international community to Pakistan.