Mr. Prime Minister, whats up? I am writing to you about the almighty national security policy you promised us. The first of its three parts would not be disclosed, perhaps never, so I would not be stubborn and urge you to reveal its mindboggling, magical content. However, with compact reference to the serene happenings of this month, some critical thoughts circulate in my mind. Allow me to translate. Please dont fall asleep just yet.
The year started off with a battery of powerful bombings; the latest of which in Bannu on the 19th and in Rawalpindi on the 20th (15 meters away from GHQ) struck an end to thirty three innocent lives, including 20 soldiers, on the spot. I am surprised you still think there is room for a tossup between military intervention and negotiations, Sir. TTP's deadly campaign continues to mock our sovereign standing; frustrating the hopes placed in what is proving to be nothing more than a zero-sum bargain. We sit here dreaming about the perfect national security policy as TTP openly claims responsibility for each ruthless massacre, escalating devastation in a country I call my home. These are the men you are striving to civilize, Mr. Sharif? Your people demand an answer.
You mentioned strategic and operational segments as two separate categories which would come to sum up the cores of our anti-militant strategy against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. I ask you, what limits need to be surpassed before military action is the only strategic and operational stance left for us pay heed to? This overly precise attitude for combating an internal monster is not making sense to me at all – it creates a huge vacuum for these militants to consider this independent land a violent training ground.
As far as my eight-grade definition of negotiations said, these are talks which are meant to be held between two groups of similar composition which, due to ideological divisions and disagreements, strive to come to terms with each other. With all due respect Mr. Prime Minister, since when did outright terror, negligence towards law and religio-criminal influence become the government's nearest equivalent for effective talks? Can you logically explain what kind of a bargaining tactic is our nation practicing, given that no set of conditions have been declared from the state's end in order to safeguard the rights of the people? I do not see a set of priorities at hand, nor an indication of firmness or clarity in our tone, but yes, the country has always had its reputation at stake in the matter.
I would want to remind you that these hardcore Jihadists are born to tear agreements apart and not necessarily abide by them. Their definition of sharia is nothing more than a cover to map out an unsparing, reckless militant agenda on Pakistan's struggling, apologetic democratic system. The strictly unjust loss of lives should have been the thickest defense in pursuing these talks, if any, behind which TTP should've been compelled to give up arms. But my eyes read the exact opposite; we are becoming far too skeptical to invite the use of military force in the matter, disapproving of every other nightmare that grips our cities in catastrophic terror, yet never decisively willing to put an end to the brutal ambitions these hardcore militants have in mind.
My sincerest apologies if I sounded rude at some point Mr. Nawaz, but it would be unreasonable to assume that such painful realities have escaped our people. Please refrain from drawing comparisons with Imran Khan's appalling performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – I stopped listening to him a long time ago, and yes, before you get to it, you've definitely been doing better than Pakistan People's Party on state economy. These comparisons in retrospect would always seem somewhat comforting, but do not address my concerns.
That reminds me, a robber trespassed into my neighbor's house a couple of nights ago. I told her that the poor guy could have been a confused or misguided character. A semi automatic pistol had his feelings misunderstood, and that if she would've negotiated with him over a cup of tea instead, things would have gotten better. She shut the door on me and has not picked up the phone since then.
Please consider my humble request and retire the 'dialogue' strategy from our national dictionary. In its five years as a militant entity, name an instant whereby TTP has settled to follow a direction of peace with Pakistan, as being encouraged today. I will be surprised if you find one.
Mr. Sharif? I think you've fallen asleep by now.
