AS military operation Rah-i-Raast was launched against Baitullah Mehsud, chief of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and his associates in Fata to eliminate his network (June 15), the government is now asking the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their homes.

Most of them, however, are reluctant because they have doubts that once the operation is over, the Taliban might reappear.

To eradicate the Taliban from Pakistan and to cut their resources, a joint strategy by the US and Pakistan is urgently needed. According to the strategy, the US should ask Pakistan to contribute its troops to Isaf in Afghanistan, and the entire eastern border of Afghanistan bordering the NWFP and Balochistan should be patrolled by Pakistani troops.

This will sandwich the Taliban between the Pakistani troops from both sides and they will not be able to get any help or support from any foreign power covertly, which is surely being done now. Moreover, it will also unveil the foreign power the behind Taliban.

Pakistan may be allowed to establish its consulates in Jalalabad and Kandhar to have better coordination and to maintain cordial diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The US should support the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force by pinpointing and destroying hideouts of the Taliban fleeing Pakistan as a result of the Operation 'Rah-i-Rast' and hiding in the border areas of Afghanistan.

SQN LDR (r) S.AUSAF HUSAIN

Karachi