Political, Army Brass Finally Decide SWA Operation

ISLAMABAD: The political and military leadership of the country has finally decided to carry out army offensive in restive South Waziristan after a meeting in presidency here Saturday, reported.

According to correspondent the meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari here at Aiwan-e-Sadr was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and DG ISI Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

The meeting finalized the strategy for South Waziristan operation. It also decided to convey Pakistan’s reservations over Kerry-Lugar bill, besides fine-tuning government’s plan to tackle the inner crisis over the aid bill.

Sources said the President and PM have decided to hold talks with the US administration over the disputed points of the bill.

The meeting discussed the prevailing security situation, with a particular reference to the attack on the GHQ and the recent attacks at Peshawar and Islamabad.

Earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani separately called on the President and discussed current political situation with the President.

Congress Top Brass

The slow and zealously guarded decision process in the Congress has caused deep anxiety in the top echelons of the party and its allies with almost everyone, barring the six whose portfolios have been announced, waiting for that elusive phone call informing them of their fate.

While the arrangement with allies has been reached — the Trinamool Congress though has asked for one more berth of Minister of State — the problem for the Congress is now within. There is a clamour among Lok Sabha MPs for adequate regional representation. This has delayed decision making, even raising doubts about tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony. Wednesday also seems unlikely given that it is the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the 67-year-old Karnataka leader and a prominent Dalit face, claims to have contested because he was told he would be “suitably rewarded”. He stepped down as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, but the post has not been filled yet — the state leadership awaits his fate at the Centre first.