September 26, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 25, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 25: The government has decided that it will not take technical assistance and weapons from the United States under a comprehensive security strategy being devised by a high-powered committee to combat terrorism.

An official source told Dawn on Thursday that the government was looking at other options to purchase latest bomb detectors, weapons and other equipment for its security agencies.

Rehman Malik, the prime minister’s adviser on interior, also said at a recent press conference that no assistance would be acquired from the US and any of its security agencies.

Committee meets: The high-powered security committee formed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to devise a strategy to combat terrorism met on Thursday and suggested that civil armed forces, including police, should be provided latest equipment, bomb detectors and vehicles.

The committee, formed after the Marriott bombing, will suggest to the government short- and long-term measures to fight terrorism and foil suicide bombings.

It will submit its report to the prime minister in three days.

Headed by Rehman Malik, the committee has 14 members. They are: Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H. Naek, Lt-Gen. (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, secretaries of the interior, foreign affairs and information, Rawalpindi Corps Commander, directors general of the Inter Services Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority and the Islamabad police chief.

According to a handout issued by the interior ministry, a foolproof security model will be devised for Islamabad. Later other major cities would come under the security net.