ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman said on Wednesday that the government’s top priority was to hold dialogue with local militants in tribal areas, Swat and NWFP to ensure peace and stability in the region, but it would not allow anybody to challenge writ of the government. Talking to a private television (GEO News), she said the government wanted to settle the issue through negotiations and peaceful means, but writ of the government would be established at all costs.

She said local militants who want to surrender before the authorities would be rehabilitated and brought into mainstream of the society to lead a peaceful life.

Sherry Rehman said, the government would take the coalition partners along while devising any strategy with regard to combat the tendencies of extremism and terrorism.

She said, the coalition partners in a meeting on July 23 have agreed to discuss the formation of a national policy to mobilize public support for a greater national consensus on Pakistan’s battle against extremism and militancy.

The Minister said, all important decisions would be taken in the parliament after holding thorough debates, evolving national consensus and keeping national interests supreme.

To a question, she said Pakistan would not allow anybody to use its soil for carrying out terrorist activities in any other country. Similarly, it would not allow any foreign force to operate or attack inside Pakistan, she added.

The Minister said, the country was facing menace of terrorism and formulating policies in its own interest to eliminate this social evil from the society.