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Crackdown on Taleban

THE PAKISTAN government’s policy of dealing with militancy is in need of being revised. After having failed to draw the Taleban to a negotiated settlement and address the menace of terrorism, the government seems to be in a state of confusion.

That is evident from the fact that there are more than one spokesperson for defining the government’s strategy — and none comes up with a unanimous approach. It speaks of policy ambiguity at work. It is apparent that there is severe political pressure on the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resolve the issue through dialogue, but that option doesn’t seem to be making any headway. Though Sharif had nominated a high-powered four-member committee to talk it out with the Taleban, it lacked a strategy while dealing with the Taleban who have been changing their demands off and on.

The execution of 23 paramilitary soldiers by the Taleban last week proved to be another obstacle in the path of attaining an amicable solution. The Taleban’s refusal to declare a ceasefire, even during the peace negotiations with government representatives, and their continued recourse to terrorism has sorely tested the nation’s patience.

That is why the armed forces have started airstrikes on Taleban hideouts in North Waziristan and other restive tribal areas adjoining Afghanistan. In doing so there is no need for Pakistan Army to adopt an apologetic attitude as the government has described the action as defensive in essence. It should lead to comprehensively dismantling the terror network, as there is no room for alternating between military offensive and dialogue. The state cannot afford to live with militants who have endangered its very existence. Decisive action remains the sole option to pull back the country from disaster.