Re: Imran Khan’s toxic narrative on terrorism … needs to stop … and stop right no
This is exactly what I thought, Imran Khan is taking the flak to try and bail the army out which does not want to carry out the operation in NWA as they believe they will lose there (or maybe the army has already lost?).
Terms of surrender - DAWN.COM
However, stung by opprobrium on live TV, one of Imran Khan’s top lieutenants let the cat out of the bag. Without naming anyone and attributing his remarks to a ‘highly placed’ source, Naeem ul Haq dropped what can only be described as a bombshell.
**He said: “We have been told that there is no more than a 40pc chance of success of a military operation.” So, he said, talks presented the only viable option and his leader’s proposal for the opening of a TTP office should be seen in the same light.
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While Naeem ul Haq refused to name his source, given his proximity to Imran Khan it wasn’t difficult to guess this revelation must have come from the PTI leader’s coveted exclusive briefing by the prime minister, the army chief and, in all probability, the ISI boss on the morning of the APC.
**Is it then the case of the civilian, elected politicians once again taking flak for our hallowed men in khaki? If so, doesn’t the nation have the right to know if the fight against the terrorists is already lost? And even if it isn’t lost, that no decisive victory is likely? Hence we have to settle for scraps from the negotiating table?
**
This isn’t all. Pakistan’s top military strategist (for evidence please read up on the assault on Jalalabad post the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan in the late 1980s), retired Lt Gen Hamid Gul, who is said to be an inspiration for many intelligence officers and militant groups, has now disclosed that Mulla Omar’s help has also been sought in order to facilitate the dialogue.
According to Mr Gul, Sirajuddin Haqqani (one of the leading ‘good’ Taliban) is chairing a ‘shura’ of the TTP to persuade the various elements that make up the group to respond favourably to the talks offer. We can only hope the TTP hasn’t noticed the hollow where our spine once was and, sensing a walkover, doesn’t spurn the offer.
For now, the news is that the ‘good’ Taliban are talking to the ‘bad’ Taliban and the latter may just listen to them too. Does it take away the despair that overwhelms so many of us? If you ask me, despair at this capitulation may well be overcome with time. What we’ll always have to live with are the consequences.
