‘Make friends with the wolf, but have the axe ready’
That secret talks are already underway with the Pakistani Taliban has been corroborated by both the government and the militants. The TTP is a hydra-headed monster and there is every possibility of some of the groups holding talks with the government while others continuing on the killing spree. Those among the militant networks who claim that they are working for the creation of a world Islamic caliphate practicing sharia laws in opposition to democratic national states where laws are made by the elected parliaments might continue in the pursuit of their deadly agenda. Others might not agree to stop using Pakistan’s territory to launch attacks on other countries in the name of jihad. While al-Qaeda has considerably weakened in Pakistan, some of the terrorist groups might not agree to break links with their erstwhile mentor. Still others might refuse to cease attacks on the Shia community which they conduct as their religious obligation. Talks should however continue with whosoever is game as these provide the newly elected government some measure of breathing space. The government would however do well not to entertain any false hopes about the intentions of most of the militant groups. As the Russian proverb goes, while one might make friends with the wolf, one must have the axe ready.
On Friday expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the law enforcement agencies, Nawaz Sharif directed the Punjab government to move apace to strengthen the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (PCTD) – the name given to the British era CID in 2010. What seems to be on the anvil is a counter terrorism force for the province. For this a ban on jobs in law enforcement agencies has been lifted and recruitment ordered within 10days. The urgency rouses hopes that the PML-N leadership realizes that the talks with the Pakistani Taliban may not guarantee an end to the terrorist attacks. As the sharp reaction to Asmatullah Muawiya’s conciliatory statement indicates, the TTP continues to be opposed to talks with the government. A TTP spokesman has in fact rejected the government’s offer while questioning the credibility of the JI and JUI-F as honest brokers after they joined the government at the centre and in the KP.
While the talks continue, the government must fully concentrate on forging a consensus on the national security policy. Stress should be laid on removing the grave deficiencies in the working of the intelligence apparatus. Unless there is a qualitative improvement in their capacity of information gathering through human intelligence and electronic devices it would not be possible to cope with the terrorist threat. Equally important is a qualitative improvement in the coordination between the security networks and the law enforcement agencies. To rid Pakistan of this menace, both staunch political will combined with high level of commitment and all round expertise of the law enforcement agencies are a prerequisite.
