Negotiating with terrorists

If government continues to steer Pakistan down this destructive path, then the most vulnerable will continue to suffer

Just like the negotiations with the Taliban were a failed strategy for the US, the latest talks are destined to blow up in Pakistan’s face. Admittedly, that pun was intended. The simple fact is that there is no room for debate because the Taliban seek the establishment of Sharia law across Pakistan and the removal of the military from the tribal areas. Both these issues are unacceptable, so what is there to discuss? It is time for the government to be honest with itself and acknowledge that terrorist attacks are in full effect. Citizens are getting blown up to bits on a daily basis. Setting up new committees and determining new locations for talks is not going to halt this trend.

Last month, the government reached out to the Taliban for negotiations. The TTP responded by beheading 23 FC soldiers held in captivity. After military jets pounded terrorist hideouts in the tribal areas, the TTP suddenly announced a month-long ceasefire. This was a strategic move with the sole purpose of forestalling the oncoming military operation, which did have majority support. Nawaz Sharif’s government, in its eagerness to pursue negotiations, accepted the ceasefire and announced that it would enter into direct peace talks with the Taliban. Now they are in the midst of trying to settle on a location. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s latest demands include withdrawing troops from either Ladha or Makeen in South Waziristan to create a “military-free” zone for discussion. It is important to mention that both places were infested with terrorists till the military cleared them out in 2009 by conducting operations. On top of that, the Taliban have asked the government to release 300 prisoners. The government remains persistent on surrendering to the Taliban and sacrificing more Pakistani lives despite these outlandish pre-conditions.

Many are wondering if the government even has a strategy in place or wants to engage in talks just for the sake of talks. The negotiation process has been a farce from the beginning because the government entered into the process without any clear demands of its own. Instead, the process was hijacked by clerics and sympathisers of the Taliban.

Make no mistake, the continuation of these talks will lead to the appeasement of extremists, as well as alienation of law-abiding citizens in Pakistan. Attacks have continued unabated since the first attempt to “talk”, so it would be wise to end this charade. Giving in to the demands of terrorists will further weaken the Constitution of Pakistan, which continues to be under threat due to the primitive thinking of the Council of Islamic Ideology. If the government continues to steer Pakistan down this destructive path, then the most vulnerable will continue to suffer. Ethnic tensions will rage on and result in the increased slaughter of minorities. Instead of wasting time on negotiations that have failed time and again, it would be better to give the go-ahead for military operations, especially as US forces prepare to abandon the region by the end of the year. It is time to stop trying to cut deals with terrorists and try an approach that has been successful in the past in Swat: a military offensive.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2014.

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