Peace has turned a nightmare in this part of the world; where Pakistan and Afghanistan are sited. The evil play of toppling communist regime in late seventies, designed in Washington, experimented in Afghanistan supported by Pakistan earned ill-fates for the masses of two countries by putting them to endless bloodshed. The state of Pakistan harvests the ill-consequences of decade long evil motive planned and exercised till outage of even last traces of Russian influence from Afghanistan. The Taliban once serving as Pakistani proxies turned their gun indiscriminately to public officials, innocent civilians and all those who were opposed to the use of violence. The government has finally bowed to the excuse of peace talk by setting a committee to carry out negotiations with Taliban.
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan are entangled amid chaotic and devastating issues of deteriorating security condition, growing insurgency, militancy, talibanization and worsening state of law and order. Any independent survey will place insurgency and terrorism on the top of the list and an issue of immediate attention. However in that sordid circumstance, peace talk seems to be plain escaping from durable solution to the everlasting issue of terrorism, except a provisional solution. Terrorism can’t be done away with by legitimization of terrorists.
The surveillance to the tactics the government of the countries put to use at the moment to get out of these restive situations reveals non vitality amidst militancy and talibanization, which have irreversibly grown unbeatable. Pakistan is presently passing through mirage of problems. The consecutive successful terror plots undertaken by insurgents and militants depict the degree of strength they have acquired over the length of time.
Since 9/11, when the war on terror was launched, Taliban unleashed a terrible bloodbath, leaving close to 50,000 dead and many others wounded, in cross-section of Pakistan with exception to 3,000 military personnel. Political leaders are working out finding ways dealing with a security nightmare that has left them very worst crippled.
Irrespective of consecutive terror plots, Pakistan’s political leadership are taking a lenient stance, preferring negotiation with Taliban, unanimously agreed to all parties conference held in Islamabad. Pakistani government was to respond at the demands of all parties that came forth in the conference, when a drone hit Hakimullah Mehsud, the head of Pakistani chapter of Taliban. The assassination of Mehsud overturned the imminent peace talk. Previously, the derailed peace talk was rethought by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing the session of national assembly urging, last trial to peace.
Formerly, Mr. Sharif visited US where he stressed an end to US drone strike which is thought counterproductive by some sections of Pakistanis. Many find it most effective tool to curb out terrorists from far flunked areas not at the reach of military intervention. Responding at the Sharif’s request US demanded the installment of government writ and possible control at tribal areas. Factually both demands seemed to be impracticable. There is a large area along Af-Pak border where both governments writ seems to be minimal. The border therefore is considered a safe hideout for militants since 1980. Taliban are ruling these areas without others intervention and interruption.
Previously a deep separation line was drawn between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban. However, the latest developments diffused all such ambiguities and assert a multifaceted strong bond of understanding existing between Taliban operating at two sides of border. It is vehemently accepted that the new Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah is raised to power by the final decision laid by Mullah Omar.
During the reign of Fazullah in Swat, a complete ban on female education was observed. Some 400 private schools enrolling 40,000 girls have been shut down. At least 10 girls' schools that tried to open after the January 15, 2009 deadline by the Fazlullah-led Taliban were blown up by the militants in the town of Mingora, the headquarters of the Swat District. More than 170 schools have been bombed or torched, along with other government-owned buildings. On 9 October 2012, Swat Tliban headed by Fazlullah shot Malala Yousafzai at head who luckily survived the attack.
Fazullah leading TTP is a radical religious ideologue and extremist known for his strong anti-Pakistan sentiments. Nevertheless, the extremist and anti-modern disposition Taliban earned makes it hard to take them along on the new avenues of modern world where needs and requirements have varied to a great extent.
The peace talk seems a futile exercise seeing the hard extremist outlook of Taliban bears. Negotiation leads to fruition with moderates’ elements not with extremists who rely to use force against innocent civilians. Those who denounce democracy, constitution, women education, polio vaccination and term the latest scientific invention un-Islamic can only agree to reach to congenial solution, provided their demands are met. The incumbent government sticks to progression of peace talks than responding with might. Agreeing with all progresses mad to bring Taliban on table of negotiation, is a timely need to restore peace in the country. However it is quite perplexing to comprehend, why are Taliban treated supra-constitutionally and kept above the law? The talks may give general amnesty to Taliban involved in heinous crimes against innocent civilians, will be deemed an illegitimate conduct by government. If peace is installed by maiden talks with perpetrators of sever human rights violation then all the prisons and courts should be locked instead human rights violators should be talked to. No need for massive allocation of funds for courts, judges, police and military force and prisons. These institutions should be halted immediately. The government’s self initiated extra-constitutionals conduct ratifies actuality that laws uphold implementation barely to greater majority entailing inferior and armless class of society whilst the minority armed superior class stand beyond apprehension and prosecution.
If peace talks are potent to evolve durable and everlasting solution to a baseless conflict, if the negotiation succeeds unarming the nonconforming elements, if the talks provide a safe passage to butchers of humanity, repent for their past ill-deeds and if the insurgents owe to disband their malicious activities, subsequent to talks, I would rush forth to render a loud support to peace talks. Nonetheless, strategizing peace at the cost national pride, integrity and dignity seems to be an unwise discourse.