In my humble opinion PNL-N is also a right of centre party full of Taliban sympathizers as well as ministers such as Rana Sana Ullah who openly hobnobs with the SSP/LEJ sectarian killers. I am certain that even if Nawaz Sharif wanted to start military operation; he would not be supported by many among his own party especially when his new advisor Irfan Siddiqui carries a soft spot for religious extremists.
Additionally, PML-N is scared of being branded as a ‘War monger’ by the TTP loving Urdu media; especially the like of Ansar Abbasi of the Jang Group among others. Nawaz is therefore afraid of losing rightest vote to the Taliban Khan in the coming municipal elections. Based on the above Nawaz Sharif can only talk tough to the extremists but lacks the political will to act tough as well. I am however disappointed at the selection of members of the negotiation party. Except Rahimullah Yusuf Zai, who has a balanced approach, all others are rightist.
Anyone who has read Irfan Siddiqui's columns will know that he is ultra-rightest. Major Amir Khan and Brigadier Imtiaz Ahmed (both of ISI) were tried under a court martial in 1989 for destabilising Benazir Bhutto’s first gov’t. Thus Major Amer Khan is someone who wouldn’t think much of plotting a Military Coup against an elected government which he considered too far leftist.
Rustom Shah Mohmand is the PTI Think Tank Chairman on Taliban and most of the Imran Khan statements in support of Taliban have probably been vetted by him. He was Additional Secretary of the Interior during 1989 when Pakistan was supporting Gulbuddin Hikmatyar against Tajik dominated Kabul regime. He is also a former Ambassador to Kabul.
Thus the committee has 3 pro Taliban and one non-biased members. I would have preferred a saner and more balanced person instead of the Major Amer khan.
Nevertheless it is a ‘Fait accompli’. Let us wait and see how successful this attempt turns out to be.
