WILL it count as an opportunity lost? Given the sharp escalation in militant violence in recent weeks, some had hoped that Tuesday’s high-level huddle on national security would be followed by a message of hope and unity for those suffering and a resolve to meet the menace of terrorism as one nation. Perhaps one should have foreseen the bitter dynamics of Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis precluding this possibility. Major opposition parties eventually decided to skip the meeting, dimming the prospect of the political leadership presenting a unified front on this occasion. The committee’s post-meeting statement, too, revealed that matters had not moved beyond the “need for a national consensus to repel terrorism, [and] emphasising strategic and unified political commitment to confront this menace with the full might of the state”. To its credit, the committee chose to leave the door open, noting in its statement that “the committee members […] regretted the lack of participation by some opposition members and reiterated that the consultation process in this regard would continue”. It is hoped that the next attempt to get the civilian leadership on the same page will be more successful.

Meanwhile, both the government and opposition deserve censure. First, the Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan coalition was wrong to make one person the central issue at a time when the spectre of militancy looms over almost half the country. The points raised by the leaders of the PTI and TTAP might have merited discussion, but they did not justify boycotting this important meeting. Lawmakers represent not just their political party, but also the people of the constituency from where they are elected. That is why, in matters of national import, political allegiances should be left at parliament’s door. That said, the government also deserves criticism for not showing more flexibility. The PTI skipped the meeting because it said it was not allowed to consult its founder before the session — a stance its jailed leader reportedly endorsed. While the matter was not about political negotiations, and the PTI could have easily opted to attend a meeting on national security, the government should have made a strong attempt to persuade the disgruntled opposition to participate, instead of criticising it for non-cooperation. After all, it is the government’s duty to reach out to even its rivals in the interest of national unity.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025