THE top military leadership including Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General ISI Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, on Monday, briefed the Parliamentary Committee on National Security on matters pertaining to national security, foreign affairs as well as internal and external challenges faced by the country.
Given the evolving situation in neighbouring Afghanistan where an economic and humanitarian crisis is looming, taking the political leadership into the loop and confidence on security-related matters indeed was a timely move and need of the hour as it is only through collective approach, the country can better fare with challenges coming in its way.
We understand the inputs that would have been given by the political leadership will definitely help move forward in the right direction and protect the national interests.
The fact is that whenever this nation gets united, it has the audacity and resilience to effectively meet any challenge. One saw its clear manifestation in the fight against terrorism.
In the wake of the terror attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, a consensus document of National Action Plan (NAB) was formulated to crackdown on the terrorists.
Since it had the backing of the entire nation, the strategy proved to be very successful in eliminating the terrorist groups.
The same course needs to be followed in future as well to ensure sustainable peace and security in the country which is vital for overall economic development.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also announced on Monday that the interim Afghan government backed talks between Pakistan and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had formally begun with both sides agreeing to a complete ceasefire.
The TTP in a statement said that the ceasefire agreement will run for one month with an option to extend if both sides agree.
Though, there were reports that both the Pakistani government and the TTP are holding talks, yet the very news of ceasefire has come as a surprise.
Talking to the media after the in-camera briefing of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed concern over the development saying any agreement with the banned outfit will have no legitimacy without Parliament’s approval.
Certainly this is a very sensitive issue as the TTP has up till now remained involved in heinous acts of terrorism. Hence, any decision about the banned outfit must be taken collectively at the forum of Parliament.
Such an approach also suits the government and will protect it from backlash at the international level.
