War or talks?

This refers to the write-ups of Mohammad Malick and Ansaar Abbasi published in your newspaper on Nov 2. The debate initiated by your newspaper is worthwhile, especially from the point of view of the ordinary people. As asserted rightly by Mr Malick, Pakistan is at war, a war of its very survival. Anyone denying this fact is suffering from self-deception and, in my view, is a 'closet Taliban'. Whatever the history, reasons and background of this conflict are, it is now our war against the enemies of the country. The terrorists are not only targeting government offices and armed forces establishments, but also they are murdering innocent civilians. We, as a nation, need to rise up to this challenge and face the terrorists with all our might, resolute determination and resources to save the country from this impending catastrophe.

While the write-up by Mr Malick was rational, objective and logical, unfortunately Mr Abbasi's was full of US bashing. For no less than 12 times, Mr Abbasi criticised Washington in his relatively small piece. Mr Abbasi branded Pervez MusharrafPervez Musharraf as 'Washington's poodle', which he probably was, however, one wonders as to in whose lap Mr Abbasi is being cuddled now? While condemning the US for drone attacks and the killing of citizens of Pakistan, why did Mr Abbasi conveniently ignore the daily murderous attacks, suicide bombings and decapitations of innocent civilians by the insane Taliban terrorists?

M S Hasan

Karachi



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Ansar Abbasi's suggestion (Nov 2) to talk to the militants hasn't found any supporters as the letters in response indicate. Those against talking to militants must have their own reasons and motivation. But when our master, the US, whose war we're fighting, is seeking help of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in cajoling the Taliban into negotiations, why can't we do the same? The US-led NATO troops, with all their wherewithal, have failed to put down the indigenous resistance by the Afghan Taliban. What goes on in Afghanistan is a war of freedom; what we're suffering from is essentially its fallout. We must talk to the Taliban without wasting time any longer.

Mirza Tuftan Baig

Lahore



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In my view, the question posed by Ansar Abbasi (Nov 2) is closed-ended in its nature and therefore may not provide the respondents with a chance to come up with any creative and novel solution to this highly complex problem. A simple yes or no does not seem to be the right answer. We have to be clear about the objectives to be achieved through this war. Obviously the armed forces cannot stay in South Waziristan for an indefinite period. The top most priority should be to ensure that the area is cleansed from the extremists and the writ of the government is established.

However, it is a fact that the miscreants and terrorists can never be wiped out once and for all. The history of the area bears testimony to the fact that they will re-group and re-emerge in future as well, even if they are defeated by the armed forces for now. The feasible strategy in these circumstances appears to be that after acquiring the control of the area, the government should negotiate with the political and religious leaders to ensure that no activities relating to terrorism are tolerated in exchange of peace, justice and economic development of the area.

The militia, the police and the Frontier Constabulary should be strengthened and trained to deal with the extremists when the armed forces have completed their mission. An agreement on terms acceptable to both the parties is difficult to achieve, but perhaps this is the only solution.

Dr Najeeb A Khan

Islamabad



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In reference to Ansar Abbasi's news analysis "We must go for talks, not war" (Nov 2), I would like to say that talks are not only an option, but rather the only option for the government. I am really perplexed to see our so-called liberals chanting the clarion call for a full-fledged war against the Taliban while the US is trying to have secret negotiations with them in Afghanistan. Moreover, the US army, despite being the most powerful army of the world, could not wipe the Taliban out from Afghanistan. Yet our liberals think that our military would be able to do this in Pakistan.

Waseem Khan

Karachi