These people need to be told that there can be no dialogue with criminals. Amnesty must only be for who lay down arms.
This is with reference to Saroop Ijaz’s article “Do we need to talk to the Taliban?” (February 10). I fully endorse the views put forward by Mr Ijaz. The Taliban have ruthlessly killed our citizens — civilians and soldiers alike. They have demolished our shrines. They are fascists and fascists never believe in listening to other people’s opinions. We must all condemn the Taliban for the murders they have committed and for not functioning within the democratic framework and for not abiding by the Constitution and laws of the land. We must also condemn all those who wish to mediate between the Taliban and the state. These people need to be told that there can be no dialogue with criminals. Amnesty must only be offered to those who lay down their arms.
Kausar S Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2013.
