Civil-military unanimity

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Politics and statecraft was on the same page as Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir met political leaders from across the board in Peshawar, and reiterated a common stance to fight the invisible enemy. To make it more consensual in an era of bickering, the Army Chief was flanked by K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. One of the major takeaways of the huddle was the politicians' resolve to stand beside the armed forces in an existential fight against terrorism, and the assurance from the military brass that no operation will be undertaken without taking the political strata in confidence.

It was also consoling to hear that "no major operation is underway" in the restive province and that IBOs will continue, clearing the air of reservations that the provincial government is being bypassed. The get-together at Peshawar also agreed on the need for a "unified front beyond political colours" against the extremist ideology of terrorist groups. That is the way to go at a time when the faceless enemy is regrouping, and making use of reservoirs across the western frontier to bleed the nation.

Perhaps that is why it was decided to increase the capacity of the provincial police force too, and to concentrate on the full implementation of the National Action Plan by incorporating changes, if required. Last but not least, the desire on the part of political elements not to shut the door of consultation on the dispensation in Kabul was a strength in adversity to the armed forces who are engaged in a ruthless war of nerves with the dreaded elements.

The realisation between the military and civil cadres for buoying cooperation with the neighbouring countries to facilitate peace in the region should come as an earnest message to Taliban 2.0 leadership, who are not keeping their pledge of exterminating the terror nexus from their soil. The spike in terror activities inside Pakistan is an outflow of Kabul's incapacity, and this needs to be fixed. The new-found confidence must graduate into policy-making and usher in a new era of political stability.