ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in a letter to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has presented a grim picture of the state of affairs in the country and submitted six proposals for evolving a consensus policy on the so-called ‘war against terrorism’ and the overall security situation.

According to the letter, a copy of which was made available to Dawn, the PML-N chief suggested formation of a joint parliamentary committee to oversee the affairs relating to the efforts to curb terrorism and militancy in the country.

In his letter, which was delivered to the prime minister’s secretariat on Monday evening, Mr Sharif said he was writing the letter at a time “when Pakistan is going through the worst crisis of its history”.

“The fresh wave of widespread violence and unabated spate of suicide attacks are causing colossal damage at home and adversely tarnishing our image abroad. The insurgency is critically straining our limited economic resources.

“As a consequence, the nation is facing unprecedented inflation, scarcity of food supplies and energy crisis of the worst kind. There is a complete breakdown of law and order creating a pervasive feeling of insecurity,” he wrote.

The six proposals presented to the government by Mr Sharif are: “Adopting a strategy based on comprehensive dialogue with all stakeholders; defending and safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; restoring governance in the tribal areas keeping in view local traditions, customs and social norms; focusing on employment generation and socio-economic uplift in Fata and other areas of the NWFP and Balochistan; building bridges to turn hostile Pakistan-Afghanistan border into economic gateway for the region; and ensuring that no one uses Pakistan’s territory for terrorism in any other country.”

Mr Sharif criticised the policies of the past regime, saying “the country is paying a heavy price for pursuing short-sighted policies of Gen Musharraf, made without any consultations and consensus.”

The genesis of this policy, says the letter, “relates to the unbridled ambition of the military dictator who plunged Pakistan into a war-like situation on our western borders.”

Commenting on the decision of the Musharraf regime to reverse the country’s policy towards Taliban government in Afghanistan, he said that “it did not come from any sound evaluation of the domestic and foreign policy fundamentals.

It was not even strategic in outlook.

The revision was evidently tactical and driven by external compulsions rather than internal dynamics.”

Opposing the ongoing military operation in Fata, he writes, “the military intervention in Fata completely ignored the character of the local population.

Stunned by intense tribal resistance to military intervention, agreements with the tribes were effected without forming a mechanism for enforcement.

The 9/11 dictated a tactical retreat, but the fundamentals were never reviewed.

The dysfunctional administration, ineffective civil armed forces and even military intervention has failed to assert authority in the tribal areas.”

In his letter, Mr Sharif also highlights the importance of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

“The key to regional peace lies in Kabul. The quest for stability would come only by comprehending this adhered destiny of the two countries, realising the significance of bilateralism to resolve the issues and the importance of the resultant cross-border economic dividends.

Internally, Pakistan needs to prepare and adopt a counter insurgency strategy that evokes broad support, and employs all means to diffuse extremism and promote forbearance and amity.”

He writes: “Needless it is to overemphasize that the key traits of Pakistan’s current anti-terrorism strategy are that the military operations are in fact, driving the political strategy. This is fatal. An all inclusive counter insurgency strategy is vital.

It should have broad base political support.”

He suggests that “Pakistan should, therefore, use its influence with all stakeholders to encourage them towards political dialogue in restoring peace and stability in the region.”

Mr Sharif assures full support of his party to the prime minister in evolving and implementing a consensus policy on the issues of terrorism and extremism.