There is no doubt that addressing the issue involves a military component but force in such situations needs to be carefully calibrated lest it turn into an enemy force multiplier. As important is the need to meet the challenge politically and to let the mainstream parties play their role in endorsing and operationalising a vision of society and religion that is democratic and pluralist and in harmony with the temper of the Indus Valley Civilisation, reflected in the rich legacy of our widely revered Sufis.
Bhutto and Sharif must be allowed to return and contest the elections. It goes without saying, thought, that not only the military but political parties will have to greatly improve on their past record of governance and delivery.
Tailpiece: According to a news item the NWFP government has formed a committee to submit a report on the enforcement of the Sharia law in one of the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas, Malakand. Presumably this is in response to the militants demands. So is this a forerunner of government strategy for dealing with extremism?
Bhutto and Sharif must be allowed to return and contest the elections. It goes without saying, thought, that not only the military but political parties will have to greatly improve on their past record of governance and delivery.
Tailpiece: According to a news item the NWFP government has formed a committee to submit a report on the enforcement of the Sharia law in one of the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas, Malakand. Presumably this is in response to the militants demands. So is this a forerunner of government strategy for dealing with extremism?
The End
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