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Zardari, Gilani vow to launch military offensive in South Waziristan | Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have vowed to launch a full-scale
military offensive against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in South Waziristan. Their decision comes in the wake of the recent reports claiming that the Pakistan Army
is all set to launch a ground offensive in the Taliban stronghold, as it has stationed
the required helicopters at bases in the area. According to the Daily Times, Gilani
and Zardari met over lunch on Monday to discuss various issues, including the
military offensive. Sources said the two leaders held discussions on the situation
in the Tribal Areas, and talked about FATA parliamentarians' reservations over
the proposed military offensive. Gilani reportedly briefed Zardari about the demands
put forward by coalition partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). Recently,
JUI-F leader Maulana Fazl had offered to 'mediate' between the government and
the Taliban. The leaders also vowed to take all political parties in confidence
before launching the offensive. For three months, the Pakistan Army has been charting
out plans, holding indepth deliberations and studying past operations that failed
miserably, a recent report had said. The paper quoted a military official as saying
that they are expecting stiff resistance in Waziristan, which has also become
a key base for Al Qaeda. "This is where we will be fighting the toughest of all
battles. If we don't take the battle to them, they will bring the battle to us,"
the official had said. |
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