ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: All member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation will have to define terrorism before making a pledge to root out the menace from the region , Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat said.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, he said the Saarc states should agree on one definition of terrorism and distinguish between terrorism and a freedom movement.

"Otherwise," he warned, "all efforts aimed at eliminating terrorism would prove an exercise in futility." "Majority of the Saarc member countries are faced with the menace of terrorism, but sometimes a struggle against terrorism is also called terrorism," the interior minister observed.

He hailed the decision made at the ongoing Saarc summit for including the issue of terrorism in the Saarc charter. "This is the first step towards resolution of all contentious issues in the region," he hoped. Now, he said, the member countries would have to evolve joint strategies to combat terrorism.

Mr Hayat said since 9/11 the overall scenario of the world had changed and there was a resolve that terrorism should be eliminated at all levels. "One should not be optimistic for the ideal situation because things become normal gradually. We should struggle for the best but should be ready for the minimum possible results," he said.

The minister urged all the Saarc member countries to avoid hurling accusations at each other as it never helped resolve problems. "We are glad that Indian leaders are giving positive statements instead of labelling allegations," he added.