Nawaz Sharif, COAS avoid confrontation
The meeting of the National Security Committee had assumed unusual importance in the wake of the recent impasse created by COAS’ statement regarding preserving the dignity of the armed forces and the subsequent remarks attributed to the corps commanders meeting. It appears that better judgement has prevailed and unlike Kayani who avoided meeting Gilani for a while after a brief but bitter confrontation, the PM and the military high command were once again talking on crucial issues facing the country. An understanding between the civilian government and the army is the need of the hour in view of the still unsettled situation in Afghanistan, the TTP’s announcement to end the ceasefire, and the ongoing operation in Karachi, the industrial hub and the port city of the country.
The high level security meeting is meant to provide inputs to the government regarding crucial security issues, thus enabling the administration to take informed decisions. As three cabinet ministers and the PM’s advisor on national security were present at the meeting presided over by Sharif, the cabinet would be able to take the right decisions on the basis of the inputs provided by the ISI and IB and the subsequent discussion.
Nawaz Sharf is on record having said earlier that talks with Taliban could not continue amidst attacks. The TTP has now announced ending ceasefire. The army is already following the policy of reprisals in case of any attack on its personnel. This is what it did it on Tuesday when helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts in North Waziristan after a security personnel was injured in a roadside explosion. What the common man would like to know is what plan other than talks the government has devised to provide security to the general public. After the end of ceasefire the civilians are likely to feel like sitting ducks. As long as the ceasefire was in place every terrorist attack was blamed on elements opposed to the talks. The explanation would not work anymore.
The deadline for the withdrawal of US troops is fast approaching. There is still no agreement between Washington and Kabul on keeping a minimum number of US troops in Afghanistan. All eyes are centred on the outcome of the elections and the installation of a new government. It is however yet not clear if any of the candidates would be able to gain over 50 percent votes, failing which runoff elections will have to be conducted. Meanwhile with the snow on the mountain passes melting there is a likelihood of a rise in terrorist activities both inside Afghanistan and Pakistan. Hopefully the cabinet would come up with a better option other than Ch Nisar’s policy of total reliance on talks.
