ISLAMABAD: The civilian and military leadership decided on Tuesday to beef up security in tribal areas, but stayed short of announcing an all-out military offensive against Taliban militants.

The posturing is apparently meant to turn the heat on the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that has not been responding to the government’s offer for talks, particularly since the November drone attack which killed its leader Hakeemullah Mehsud.

An official statement said there was a consensus among the participants of the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on National Security (CCNS) that “economic development and prosperity of the people of Pakistan is dependent upon ensuring security and stability of the country”.

The meeting discussed formulation of national and internal security strategies and ties with Afghanistan. Besides augmenting security, it called for developing Fata and bringing it on a par with other parts of the country.

The statement talked about engaging various Taliban groups in talks instead of only the umbrella organisation — TTP.

These elements of the strategy for restoring writ of the government in the tribal areas -- enhancing security and developing the long ignored region -- may not be new but had been overshadowed by an excessive desire for opening talks with the Taliban. Therefore, their reiteration reflects a likely change in tactics.

Interestingly, the committee echoed the words of US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel who had told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week that “root(ing) out terrorism and militancy on its (Pakistan’s) own territory is essential for creating a stable environment for promoting economic growth and prosperity.”

The meeting was presided over by the prime minister and attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Adviser to the PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistance to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatmi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mahmood, Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandilla, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, the director general of the ISI and secretaries of ministries of foreign affairs and interior.

Meanwhile, the concept of peace talks was dismissed by the Taliban immediately after the CCNS meeting. They said that they had information that plans were already under way for a military operation and warned that they were ready for battle.

“They should happily launch a military operation against us. We have seen their operations in the past and would like them to start this long-awaited operation,” TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid was quoted as saying by agencies.

“Like previous governments, this one is also a puppet of the United States. It’s powerless and dollar-hungry,” he alleged.

But a government official said that the Taliban’s tough rhetoric did not mean that negotiations had failed.

“Their public posturing is different from what’s going on in the background,” said Tariq Azeem, a senior official in the prime minister’s team. “They want to appear tough but back channels show that they are also interested in talks.”