People gather as the body of MPA Israrullah Gandapur arrives for his funeral prayers. PHOTO: RAMZAN SEEMAB/EXPRESS
PTI chief Imran Khan and other members of the party immediately expressed shock over the death of Mr Gandapur, who had survived at least one previous assassination attempt. He becomes the third elected representative of the party to be killed by terrorists. As news of the incident came in, Imran Khan accused the federal government of not moving on with the decision made by the All Parties Conference regarding talks with the Taliban. However, with his own party in governance in K-P, he needs also to think about how to manage the horrific law and order situation in the province and consider why the persons he is so eager to conduct a dialogue with appear bent on murdering members of his own party one by one. This would not seem to be a friendly gesture. The PTI chief and his team need to think about what message is being sent out. The question that arises is whether it is moral, or even possible, to conduct talks with monsters that have already killed at least 40,000 people. Mr Gandapur and the nine who died with him were simply their latest victims. There can be little doubt there will be others and the figure for deaths caused by militants must be compared against those caused by drones, though, of course, these unmanned aerial raids into our country must stop too.
Right now, Imran Khan has to demonstrate that he is capable of leading from the front. Rather than merely talking or pointing fingers at the central government, he must suggest how it will be possible to engage with militants split into many factions and whether it is wise to negotiate with criminals. The unfortunate killing of the law minister brings these matters once more into the limelight. A solution must be found.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2013.
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Terrorists are picking high-value targets now:Ministers to elected members of national and state assemblies ;major-generals to jails to the community Elders.The message is clear:we can target whoever, whenever, wherever;we are fast gaining on and moving towards Islamabad.
".. whether it is wise to negotiate with criminals .."
I think it is wise to considering deep rooted public sentiment for it. However, what is negotiable and more importantly, what is not, must be clearly determined and agreed upon by APC asap - I would like to know if my leaders are willing to negotiate on Constitution or writ of Government or territorial integrity, precisely.
And BTW, no matter how much I may resent stuff coming out of IK in the last few months, I do hold Nawaz Sharif, the PM, responsible for not clearly identifying 'what is negotiable and what is not', and making it public.
There is no need for talks, Imran can abdicate and hand over Power to his buddies the Taliban. Problem solved !