Zardari vows to form Special force to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to form special force to counter terrorism here on Wednesday, while urging international community to see fully through the Pakistan government’s strategy of extending the process of dialogue to counter terrorism as he saw the war on terrorism could not be won through military actions alone. US congressional delegation, led by Senator John Kyl, met President Zardari here at Aiwan-e-Sadr. On the occasion, Zardari said the fight against extremism cannot be won by military means alone and this is why the Pakistan government has adopted a strategy of dialogue with "reconcilable elements" willing to give up violence, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday. "With this realisation, the government has resorted to a strategy of dialogue with reconcilable elements that are willing to give up violence. The international community has also realised the significance of this approach," Zardari was quoted as saying in an official statement. The same realisation is reflected in US President Barack Obama's strategy review for the region, he added. While reiterating Pakistan's firm commitment to fight extremism, Zardari said, "We will never give in to the militants and extremists." The US delegation comprised representatives of the Senate and House of Representatives belonging to the Republican and Democratic parties. Matters related to the new initiative announced by Obama to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan were discussed during the meeting. President said Pakistan appreciates the international community's focus on helping the country fight militancy and extremism. Pakistan needs economic aid to help alleviate poverty, particularly in violence-affected areas, he said. The government will raise special police forces with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment with the help of economic aid from the international community. This will help fight militants and extremism more efficiently, he said. Referring to the upcoming meeting of the Friends of Pakistan forum in Japan, Zardari said he will be travelling to Tokyo to attend that meet and he expects "generous political and strategic support" from the international community.