Talks with TTP

Those elements who believe in the political process, without resorting to gun-culture, should be entertained

In an upfront attempt to tackle the looming threat of cross-border terrorism, Pakistani authorities are in talks with the Taliban. The good point is that the parleys held under the military command with the TTP leadership on the run in Afghanistan are bearing results, and the disgruntled non-state actor has extended the ceasefire till month-end. Moreover, the fact that the Afghan government is acting as an emissary in the talks has provided necessary impetus and safeguards, and it is hoped that a holistic solution would be found to the terror bogey, which has crippled peace, security and development between the two countries.

This new phase of secretive talks, now almost public, has come close on the heels of security concerns in Pakistan. During the last many weeks, several attacks were reported and most of them were targeted against military personnel. Secondly, the rising lawlessness in Afghanistan and the deep revulsion and power struggle there among many outfits is directly impacting Pakistan. This is why the army leadership’s consolidated effort to strike an understanding with the elements on the other side of the divide to secure Pakistan’s interests is a good beginning.

The talks have reportedly come up with some impediments, and one of them is the demand from the TTP to release their commanders, an amnesty to families of fighters and calling off operations in Waziristan. This would be a hard nut to crack. Pakistan will obviously have to look at the bigger picture of its fight against terrorism, and at the same time ensure that the heroic sacrifices do not go in vain. Islamabad has been on the receiving end, and this war on terror has cost it dear. More than 80,000 deaths and millions of internally displaced persons is the balance-sheet of an undesired war that Pakistan was forced to fight.

It is high time only those elements who believe in the political process, and that too without resorting to gun-culture, should be entertained. This is why the broad-based dialogue with Mehsud and Malakand jirgas is a ray of hope, as their rich tribal values of compassion and cordiality should pave the way for exterminating terror nexus from our midst.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2022.

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