Dialogue with Taliban: Govt urged to move forward on its own terms

Exclusion of FATA swelling terrorists’ ranks.

ISLAMABAD:

Negotiations on clear terms and on a strong footing with militants might be a part of the peace-building process but it is not be an end in itself.

In the wake of the unanimous decision by political parties to initiate dialogue with the Taliban, at the recent All Parties Conference, experts at a discussion, “Dialogue with Taliban,”  held at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) presented an overall perspective of the situation.

Stating it as the “war of narratives,” the panel comprising of academics, policy researchers, diplomats and defence experts agreed that the process was not just a matter of statements but an issue that needed serious and immediate attention

“The project dialogue is doomed from the start,” said Babar Sattar, an eminent Lawyer and columnist, adding that even the politicians of the same parties seem to disagree with one another. Presenting a gloomy picture of North Waziristan, Sattar described the ‘no-go’ area as a sanctuary for Taliban.

“TTP has deliberately been given space to exercises its governance and raise funding through abduction and other means,” he said. Article 256 of the Constitution leaves no room for private organisations or for militant groups.

“By ignoring the urgency of Fata’s induction into the mainstream, it does not appear that the state is willing to do business differently from the way they did 30 years ago.”

Terming the Taliban’s demands unacceptable, he said “the government can try to stop drones, but it cannot achieve success, while releasing prisoners would mean putting them back in business.”

Explaining the history of the insurgency, Jinnah Institute Policy and Programmes Director Raza Rumi highlighted the prospects of statehood and the ideology of Pakistan which, according to him, is currently split in two. “We have two different thought schools with one supporting Malala and the other criticising her,” he said.

Discussing probable complications, he revealed that 69 groups, 40 of them operating from Punjab, claim to be a part of TTP  and although our leaders are committed to talk to them, the bigger question is where are going to start?

“Taliban is an elephant in a dark room. Six peace deals since 2005 to 2010 have come to light, but nothing concrete resulted from them,” he added. “The Taliban’s ideology is coherent with that of Al-Qaeda evident by the numerous videos released by them and confusion about their manifesto should end.”

Defence expert, Brig (R) Mahmood Shah was of the opinion that dialogue, although a good step, would not end militancy.

He reiterated that both the provincial and federal governments needed to be on the same frequency and that the government might not even make it through the coming five years if they do not address the prevailing challenges.

“Negotiations have started right away. The end goal should be the dismantling of terrorist networks and their infrastructure in Pakistan,” he said.

Former ambassador Ayaz Wazir attributed the menace of terrorism to the failure of including Fata in the mainstream and the involvement in America’s war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

“Negotiations should be initiated after the people of Fata are empowered,” he said, adding that in a fight between the militants and military, it is always the common man who suffers.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2013.