ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said the government was committed to fighting terrorism till the restoration of peace in the region and parliament would be taken on board for formulating a policy on the war on terror.

The president made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti and ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali, who jointly called on him here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

It was third consecutive meeting between the president and the prime minister in last three days. The meeting focused on country’s law and order situation especially in the tribal areas and the strategy to fight terrorism and extremism.

The meeting that lasted about two and a half hours and strategy to deal with extremism was reviewed in detail during the meeting with special reference to law and order situation in the NWFP.

The meeting was significant as the president wanted to take the government of NWFP into confidence to evolve a strategy against extremists in Fata. The forthcoming in-camera session of the joint sitting of the Parliament to be held tomorrow (Wednesday) also came under discussion during the meeting.

Chief Minister NWFP Amir Haider Khan Hoti briefed the president and the prime minister on the law and order situation in the province. According to sources the meeting also discussed the role of law-enforcement agencies especially in the NWFP.

During the meeting, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani condemned the rocket fires at the native home of Amir Haider Hoti in Mardan Sunday evening. President Zardari said nobody would be allowed to spread negativity in the country that could prove detrimental to national sovereignty.

He said terrorism could be defeated if nation fostered unity and strength in its ranks. The president said people belonging to all provinces should fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism to save the federation.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the government was committed to wiping out the scourge of terrorism, which was targeting the people of Pakistan. He said unflinching resolve of political parties along with the backing of the entire nation would frustrate the ulterior designs of terrorists. Gilani reiterated his government’s resolve for the uplift of tribal areas, which he said would help in eliminating negative tendencies among the locals.