PML-N says it will frame national policy to counter terrorism

The PML-N, which is set to form the next government in Pakistan, will frame a national policy to counter terrorism after consulting all political parties and stakeholders, a close associate of party chief Nawaz Sharif said today.

"We have to make Pakistan a secure nation. This is the duty of the government and of all state institutions. A national policy will be made on (terrorism) after consultations with all parties and stakeholders," said Pervaiz Rashid, a member of the Senate or upper house of parliament.

"The PML-N will implement this national policy," he told reporters after a meeting of the PML-N's leadership in Lahore.

Rashid said it was "too early" to talk about the PML-N forming a coalition at the centre.

"Let the final results come in. After that, we will work with every political party, whatever their number of seats (in parliament), to solve Pakistan’s problems,"
"Let the final results come in. Once the results are final, the government will automatically be formed," Rashid said.

Trends from 268 of the 272 parliamentary seats that went to the polls yesterday showed that the PML-N was set to bag in excess of 125 seats, while the Pakistan People’s Party and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf were lagging far behind with about 32 seats each.

Analysts said the PML-N was expected to form government at the centre with the support of independents and smaller rightist parties like the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, setting the stage for a third stint as premier for Nawaz Sharif.

Rashid said the PML-N was prepared for talks with other political parties on all issues confronting Pakistan.

"We were in contact with these political parties earlier and these contacts will continue," he said.

The PML-N respects the mandate of all parties elected to the parliament and will accept whatever role they want to play in national politics, he said.

The PML-N is ready to take all elected political parties on board to transform Pakistan into a developed country, he added.