There is a sea change in public opinion
Developments have overtaken the APC resolution which had recommended talks with the Pakistani Taliban. The killing of the GOC Swat followed within days by the gruesome attack on a church in Peshawar that killed over 80-odd men, women and children have combined to resolve the ongoing debate regarding dialogue or use of force.
There was a rare countrywide display of solidarity with the community targeted by the terrorists. Protestors everywhere criticised the government’s pussy-footing over the issue and demanded stern action against the militants. The protestors included not only the members of the minority communities but also the civil society at large. Many carried flowers and lit candles to commemorate the victims. Prominent Sunni ulema, from both the Deobandi and Barelvi schools of thought, joined hands with the Shia ulema to condemn the horror. The clerics demanded that elements who were involved in the killing of the worshippers in the church must not be invited to peace talks as they deserved exemplary punishment for the heinous act. Top news channels gave priority to the coverage of the protests while many anchor persons hinted at the period for talks having been over. Further that it had become necessary to employ the entire oppressive state apparatus to put an end to militancy. Even Imran Khan, who had been accusing unnamed forces which were according to him opposed to the dialogue, now has second thoughts. From total and unreserved support for dialogue with the militant groups, he altered his position, saying that talks could be held only with those who were willing to renounce violence and accept the writ of the state. “If peace is to be given a chance,” he said, “ then it is essential to isolate those who are dedicated to an agenda of violence and to carrying out terror attacks against innocent people, from those who are prepared to have a ceasefire and talk peace within the ambit of the constitution of Pakistan.” In the National Assembly on Monday, the interior minister reiterated the resolve of the government to chase the culprits behind the twin suicide attacks with its full might and to bring them to justice. As the NA unanimously passed the resolution strongly condemning the massacre of the Christians in Peshawar, three-day nationwide mourning was announced by the interior minister.
The government needs to take into consideration the sea change in public opinion that transcends class, faith and ethnic differences. There are still exceptional cases like Fazlur Rehman who whenever faced with facts belie his claims, starts seeing conspiracies behind them. He is still harping on his same old tune: ‘Peshawar attacks are aimed at sabotaging peace talks.’ The government has to give primacy to use of force against the militants and talk to them only from a position of strength if need be. And that too if they agree to abide by the constitution, renounce militancy and abstain from using Pakistan’s territory as a springboard for launching strikes against other countries.
