But only after three preconditions are met
After the flurry of three bombings in a week in Peshawar and Charsadda that left seven scores dead and around 200 wounded, the image of Therik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its equally deadly franchises was in the gutter. To the extent, their holier-than-thou apologists amongst the parties of the right and the self-righteous too had to go into a hiding of sorts. Such was the tidal wave of revulsion and fury across the country that the very same PML-N and the PTI that would froth at the mouth if anything other than talks, and that too without preconditions, were ever mentioned, began laying down conditions and talking of employing violent means to tame the beast. Just as in Swat in 2009, it seemed the tipping point had arrived for an all-out action against the TTP with the full state might and resolve of the people behind it. With that in sight, despite the dithering of the PML-N and the PTI governments, the Pakistani ulema, the clerics – the representatives of the religious seminaries that have been the breeding ground of the TTP rank and file – decided to appeal to the government and to the Taliban to observe a complete ceasefire until the process of talks is concluded. Meanwhile, the KP assembly too has urged the government to initiate dialogue with the TTP post haste. Naturally the TTP spokesman has jumped at the ulema’s suggestion and welcoming it said, as newspaper reports quote: “it would reconsider the stance if the government was ready for a break in fighting.” And, also said the TTP spokesman: “We are ready to proceed with the APC suggestions and willing to have peace.”
But the APC suggestions are now water the bridge. The TTP’s thirst for blood and gore has seen to it that the narrative of ‘no preconditions’ as articulated in the APC’s insipid resolution, has transformed into preconditions on the Taliban – as enunciated by Imran Khan: “action will be taken against the Taliban if they refuse to obey the constitution and the parliament.” The realization on Imran’s part, much belated as it is, with regard to allegiance to the constitution being nonnegotiable is most welcome. But the least the Taliban must do is commit on three things: abiding by the constitution which enjoys national consensus, abjuring the use of force and violence and not using Pakistan’s territory as a springboard for launching attacks in another country.
But keeping in view several statements by the TTP leadership with regard to their objectives in Pakistan and abroad, in general the TTP’s worldview, there is scant hope that the talks, if they take place at all, shall be successful. Despite that since the KP Assembly has unanimously voted for talks, and the PML-N too favours this course, let the government go for it – but strictly within the above mentioned parameters. And whenever the Taliban sincerity is in the least doubt, the government and the armed forces must be coiled like a spring to launch another operation Rah-e-Nijat – to rid the country of this menace just like Swat.
