A thaw is in the making with the PTI agreeing to attend the multi-party conference called for deliberating the ’Azm-i-Istehkam’ operation. The good point is that the coalition government, which was in a fix to find broad-based support to its new vision of exterminating terror fissures, found the opposition support aptly and that too without any preconditions. Incarcerated PTI chief Imran Khan exhibited a profound sense of responsibility for furthering the mosaic of coordination when it is aimed at national security, and one hopes this should graduate into a mechanism for pulling the country out of abject political instability amidst economic meltdown.
Earlier, the Corps Commanders — who met, with the Army Chief in the chair — were found to be on the mark as they voiced concern over dissenting notes that are mushrooming on social media, and put the record straight by saying that any efforts aimed at undermining counterterrorism efforts are unacceptable. The PTI, in a politically correct move, threw its weight behind the grand parleys, and it is assumed that the friction that was underway between the ex-PM and the powers-that-be should scale down in wider national interests. Taking a cue from this stand-down, the PTI’s reposing of trust in a dialogue should garner the right signals from all political quarters.
The onus is on the ruling dispensation to lay the pros and cons of the Vision Azm-i-Istehkam on the table, and let the civilian cadre lead from the front. This will come as a shot in the arm for the security forces that have been involved in such synchronised anti-terror operations since the APS tragedy in 2014, and had successfully nailed down anti-state elements. Likewise, it will be more judicious to present the recommendations of the moot before the parliament for making it a law-ordained doctrine of national consensus.
With the PTI on board, it will help politically dispel reservations of the government in K-P, the theatre of operation against insurgents, besides sending signals of unanimity to at least two neighbours, China and Afghanistan, who have concerns on the appalling security canvas.
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Towards a thaw? | The Express Tribune
