ALMOST all politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) during their recent meeting with the army chief suggested engagement with the Taliban government. In other words, they were against any use of force against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whic has been conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan, especially in KP and Balochistan.

Our politicians tend to change their stance with the change in weather. In the past, they suggested talks, and when the talks did not produce any results, they started favouring the use of force as the best option. This time they have spilled pearls of wisdom by suggesting engagement with the Taliban government.

The fact of the matter is that Pakistani governments have continuously engaged Kabul to improve bilateral relations, but the Afghan Taliban regime has been clear on the matter of TTP, asking Pakistan to talk to the TTP on its own.

Talking to a terrorist outfit like the TTP is completely a futile exercise, and the government has already talked much about this issue with Afghan Taliban with no positive result. Talks can work only when force is used to humble down the aggressive party, particularly terrorist organisations.

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025