The committee and its task
Despite Mian Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with his handpicked peace committee, confusion prevails about the powers of the committee, the time frame for the peace exercise and the red lines that must be respected by the terrorists. It is still not clear if the committee would only act as a ramrod to open the closed door of dialogue and then withdraw handing over the substantive part of the talks to another team. Will the team succeed even as it takes the initial steps? Some of the problems pointed out by the critics of talks earlier have already started to surface confirming doubts about the viability of the exercise. While speaking in the National Assembly, the prime minister had put up one precondition for the success, i.e. end of terrorist attacks during the talks. One of the committee members, however, has talked about the possibility of rival terrorist groups initiating attacks to foil the parleys. So far the defenders of talks had maintained that the TTP being the umbrella organization, all other groups are bound to follow its directives. If this fails to happen, will the government hold separate talks to negotiate peace with each one of two score terrorist entities? While the members of the committee might be considered proficient in their peculiar field, holding negotiations with a band of criminals, as a federal minister has aptly described the militant group, is hardly their cup of tea. Had the government instead formed a team comprising politicians, they would have put up a somewhat better show even if they failed in the mission. Questions have also been raised about the credential of the nominees, particularly about an ex ISI sleuth involved in the scandalous Operation Midnight Jackal.
The prime minister has directed the committee to initiate the peace talks immediately. The response from the TTP side can at best be characterised as tentative. The final decision we are told will be taken by the TTP shura. We are further told that it might take a few days to decide. Meanwhile, the network’s spokesman has again insisted on the enforcement of Sharia which, the network insists, has to replace the constitution. The TTP has already declared the country’s democratic system as being opposed to Sharia. It has also demanded that the government display sincerity and prove that it has authority.
The TTP must be made to take the responsibility of ensuring that the various terrorist groups in North Waziristan and other agencies observe peace during the talks. The negotiation committee is divided over keeping the media informed about the progress of the talks. The parleys cannot be kept secret. Any attempt at enforcing secrecy is bound to lead to all kinds of rumours.
