It’s now or never

Dilly dallying over action will not do any longer

With the Taliban on the offensive in Afghanistan and the TTP in Pakistan and the US and NATO troops pulling out by the end of the year from across the Durand Line, there is a lot for the Americans to worry about. Ditto for Pakistan. This is the background of Centcom chief Gen Allen’s present visit to Islamabad. The general held meetings with COAS Gen Raheel Sharif and the CJCSC General Mahmood during which issues relating to Afghanistan and the region were discussed.

Despite the Afghan Loy Jirga endorsing a crucial security agreement allowing some US troops to stay on in the country after 2014, President Karzai left the matter of signing it into law to the new Afghan government taking over after April elections. Washington also wants to swap Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who is in Taliban custody, with Taliban prisoners before withdrawal of troops. For this the US needs to hold talks with the Taliban. It thinks Pakistan can be helpful. Washington needs Islamabad’s cooperation also to ensure that the Afghan elections are held peacefully.

Pakistan too cannot hope to have peace in the country without the US support. This would be crucial if the government decided to fight the TTP and other terrorists groups. Among other things operations are likely to suffer without the continuation of CSF funds. Peace in Afghanistan is the sine qua non for the security and prosperity of the region and would benefit both Afghanistan and Pakistan while continuation of civil war will harm both.

Pakistan can play a highly vital role in the settlement of Afghanistan provided it improves its own security. For this it has to eliminate the terrorist groups which are wreaking havoc in Pakistan’s urban centres. On Tuesday one of them killed Maulvi Abdul Raqeeb, former minister in Mullah Omar’s cabinet in Peshawar. A report submitted by the interior ministry on the state of security in Islamabad tells of the existence of sleeper cells of Al Qaeda, LeJ, and the TTP in the capital city which can be activated at short notice. This is a reflection on Ch Nasir’s claims soon after becoming interior minister that he was going to turn Islamabad into a model city enjoying peace and security. Double mindedness over a cleanup operation has led to the present situation.

The government can no longer afford to dilly dally over eliminating the terrorists. The prime minister has had enough talks with the COAS. The federal secretary defence claims that the Pakistan Army is ready to take action against terrorists wherever necessary and there is enough presence of troops in North Waziristan also. Any further delay in a conclusive operation would establish the terrorists control over the major cities of this country. What is needed is a firm action. This is the country’s only chance. It is now or never.