THE menace of militancy has done irrevocable damage to Pakistan’s moribund economy. Successive governments, both military and civilian, had pledged to fight the scourge of militancy but nothing has been done to address the issue. The present government seems to follow suit.

The preposterous slackness of the government towards the issue raises many eyebrows on its seriousness to tackle the issue.

Given the government’s confused stance on the terror issue, the effectiveness of the much sought-after counter-terrorism policy is quite implausible. Both the prime minister and the interior minister seem indirectly in favour of talks rather than full-fledged armed actions.

Terror incidents from Sukkur to Quetta and from Diamer to D.I. Khan show the terrorists are quite well organised and ostensibly more powerful than the government.

Any talks at the present moment will meet failure, for the government seems weak.

We must not talk with terrorists who kill and maim civilians.

NAEEM A. MEMONSukkur