Talking to the Taliban (III)

ISLAMABAD: The recent APC which underlined the need for peace talks with the Taliban — to curtail the surge of violence in the country — seems to have been meaningless. This was a friendly move on the part of the government (as they were the ones who initiated the process and offered peace talks to the Taliban) and the move was welcomed by the Talibani leadership but they also, almost immediately, started jotting down their demands to be presented as a pre-condition for talks. The media started highlighting theses pre-conditions and everyone was looking for a positive outcome but before proceeding towards a solution, the Taliban gave everybody another issue to deal with.

Hopes for peace have diminished with violations from the Taliban. The attack in Upper Dir resulted in martyrdom of a major general, a lieutenant colonel and a sepoy. This incident has intensified debate everywhere: what will be the fate of the dialogue process now? This act of violence was cowardly and highly condemnable. It was a heinous act on the part of the Taliban, especially after accepting the offer of peace talks from the government. A much-needed stern response from our political leaders has been missing up till now. Only the COAS has said that peace must be given a chance through the political process but no one should have any misgivings that ‘we would let the terrorists coerce us into accepting their terms’. This statement is highly appreciable as no one should consider themselves above law. Everyone wants peace and stability but not to be dictated to by those who are the cause of tumult and chaos in society. Can we ignore this mayhem for the sake of peace talks? We need to develop a broader consensus where one should rationally analyse the prevailing situation, keeping in mind the outcome of any talks.

Sobia Amir

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2013.

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