TALK is again emerging from the PTI camp about allowing the banned Pakistani Taliban to open an ‘office’ in order to facilitate the dialogue process, though the militant outfit has reportedly said it is not interested in the offer. On Tuesday, the KP chief minister renewed his government’s offer to the militants to open an office in the province, adding that the KP government would “cooperate with them” in this regard. Meanwhile, on Monday, Imran Khan had said he would take up the TTP office issue with the federal government. The PTI chief had last year caused quite a stir when he first floated the idea of having a TTP office, comparing it with the opening of a bureau representing the Afghan Taliban in Doha. Back then the party was quick to distance itself from the suggestion, with a senior leader saying the remarks did not reflect party policy. In this case, so far there’s been little effort by the PTI to forget the idea.

The federal government has done well to shoot down the renewed calls for granting the TTP a piece of state-sanctioned office space in order to let it conduct its business. The state minister for interior told the Senate on Tuesday that the centre would not allow such a move. There has been valid criticism of the state’s treading too softly when it comes to dealing with the militants. But engaging with the insurgents in dialogue is one thing; facilitating the creation of an office for them quite another. It amounts to legitimising the militants and recognising them as equal partners. Would the politicians then also consider allowing other officially banned outfits espousing various sectarian, religious and secessionist causes to open their respective bureaus in order to streamline their affairs? Let us not forget that the TTP wants to remake Pakistan in its own image through fire and the sword. Do those who want to help the group acquire real estate wish to aid them in this aim?