Once again ambiguity in government’s policy regarding the treatment of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has gripped the attention of many. Recurrent news about a ceasefire agreement between the TTP and government and lately the release of 100 TTP prisoners as ‘goodwill gesture’ do not augur well for the future of Pakistan. It seems that the government has not learnt any lesson from the past. In the past, the Islamic fighters were used as a strategic asset. They were nurtured by the US and trained by Pakistan to defeat the Soviet Union. The strategic asset of the past turned out to be the biggest trouble makers for the US and Pakistan later. Now, once again, the government is on the path to have a peaceful relationship with these militants who are untrustworthy given the past experiences. Despite castigating remarks by the Supreme Court, the development regarding the release of TTP prisoners is a cause for concern. If the government thinks that through these goodwill gestures, they will force militants to quit violence is no less than wishful thinking. As they have only used such deals to buy time to strengthen their own ranks and strike again in a more violent way.
Without decisive military action and operations against militants, the country cannot progress. It can no longer afford the existence of terrorists. There has to be an end to all this militancy. All political parties must cooperate with the government and law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace and building a prosperous future for the country. Instead of adopting dual policy regarding the treatment of TTP militants, the government and the military establishment need to launch a decisive battle against these miscreants who are posing a threat to our future generations. Any reconciliation with these monsters can drift the country into further chaos. The government needs to abandon its backdoor engagement with the TTP through the support of the Afghan Taliban. The idea of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban has no space in today’s world. Pakistan has already suffered a great deal in terms of financial and human losses. It is time for introspection for Pakistan to revise its policies on how to deal with militancy.
