Why it sounds so irrational
Ever since the formation of its government seven months back, the PML-N leadership had been advocating talks with the Pakistani Taliban as the only solution to the problem of terrorism. To strengthen its hands, the government called an APC in September where all parliamentary parties were briefed by the top security and military leadership. Finding that both the PML-N and the PTI were all for talks, the parties like the PPP, the ANP and the MQM also endorsed the stand. The PML-N’s obsession with talks did not end even when the TTP spurned the offer time and again, with new excuses. First it was the killing of Waliur Rehman, then of Hakimullah Mesud. Preconditions like setting free the militants in government’s custody and the departure of the army from the tribal areas were also put forward. The TTP also demanded the cessation of drone attacks. The government leaders readily agreed that the drone attacks were the real cause of terrorism in the country. The issue was taken up with the US administration and raised at the UN General Assembly. The PTI meanwhile blocked the strategic road to Landi Kotal to stop the NATO supplies.
While the PML-N was doing all it could to appease the militants, the TTP and its affiliates were fully concentrated on launching bloody attacks on innocent citizens as well as the security personnel. Within days of the holding of the APC, the TTP killed Maj General Sanaullah Khan Niazi and during the following week it launched three of its deadliest attacks in Peshawar, killing over 100 innocent people. Over three month after the APC, Nawaz Sharif has discovered that his government cannot bring the TTP to the negotiating table. Instead of candidly confessing that the policy of resolving the issue through talks had failed, the Prime Minister has called on the PTI, JI, JUI-F and JUI-S to help kick-start the parleys.
There is a need to realise that TTP does not believe in resolving the issues through talks. The militant organization has repeatedly announced its rejection of the constitution and wants to replace it with the Sharia. Further that it considers democracy as something alien to Islam. The militant network makes no secret of its intention to change the system through violent means, like suicide bombings, assassinations and indiscriminate killings. While there are different groups working under the TTP umbrella the PML-N has failed to win over. There is a need now to bid good bye to the policy of appeasement. Instead of talking about talks, which is causing widespread demoralisation, the fight against the terrorists needs to be taken to their last stronghold of North Waziristan. Once the TTP is deprived of its haven and is on the run, elements in the alliance will come supplicating for negotiations. Talks can then be held from a position of strength.