September 30, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 29, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday formed two committees to work out a national counter-terrorism strategy in accordance with the government’s three-pronged policy of using development, dialogue and deterrence (use of force as last resort) to fight extremism.

The committees comprising federal ministers and federal secretaries were formed at a high-level security meeting presided over by the prime minister, Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik, Labour Minister Khurshid Shah, Minister for State and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan, NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, DGs of ISI, IB, MI, secretaries of interior, information and representatives of law-enforcement agencies. Short and long-term policies to combat terrorism were also discussed. The two committees will submit their reports and recommendations to the government within two weeks.

He said countering terrorism was the government’s top priority and it would evolve a dynamic national counter-terrorism strategy to root out the menace threatening the very core of the country.