KARACHI, Feb 4: The Minister for Railways, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, said on Monday that a unified strategy was needed to defeat terrorism.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting Imtiaz Shaikh and other PML-F leaders, the Awami National Party leader said terrorism had paralysed political parties as well as the government.

Mr Bilour extended invitation to PML-F leaders to attend an all-party conference convened by his party in Islamabad next week.

In reply to a question, he said the purpose of the APC was to unite all political forces and chalk out a joint strategy to overcome the menace of terrorism.

The ANP leader pointed out that about 500,000 Taliban were involved in terrorist activities which had made people’s life miserable. He welcomed Taliban’s offer for talks with the government.

Mr Bilour recalled that the ANP had warned the nation that the US had designs on the region. Had Pakistan refused to collaborate with America against the Soviet Union, the US would not have dared invade Iraq, he said.

The ANP delegation consisted of Senator Shahi Syed and Ameer Nawab, while PML-F leaders Ghaus Bakhsh Mahar, Jam Madad Ali and Yasir Sain were present on the occasion.

They discussed the current political situation in the country and the law and order situation in Karachi.

Mr Imtiaz Shaikh said a decision whether to attend the APC or not would be taken after discussing the issue with PML-F chief Pir Pagara in a couple of days.