Receding prospects of peace!

Because of a massive disconnect between the government claims and the ground reality secured from independent sources, the level of faith in the prospect of any early peace returning to the restive areas in the North-West is fast disappearing. Only in the recent days and weeks, numerous conflicting statements have emanated from various functionaries of the government regarding the commencement of the return of the displaced persons to their homes. These claims have proven hollow as intense battles rage on in practically all areas where the forces are engaging the militants - and these areas are on the rise with each passing day, laying further stress on the already over-stretched limits of the security forces, both in terms of men and material.
It is the people who are being made to suffer the symptoms of this malaise as more and more barricades are appearing at every corner. In Islamabad alone, there is not a road where your vehicle is not subjected to a few checks. After being stopped, the most frequent question that you have to answer is regarding your destination: "Where are you going?" This is as inane as it can get. At times, the boot of your vehicle is subjected to a mundane visual check. I fail to understand the efficacy of this routine that is only causing immense discomfort to the commuters without improving the security prospects one bit.
All operational indications reflect that we are being sucked deeper into the quagmire with the exit options decreasing rapidly and the chances of an outright success diminishing fast. Among other factors, this can also be gauged by the number of dead among the security forces. This reflects the intensity of the combat and the high stakes involved for the protagonists. While there have been persistent indications regarding the involvement of foreign players in the conflict, the government has neither been able to project it properly, nor has it appeared to use it to garner support to secure a conducive and favourable image in the international arena. The reality, if it does exist at all, has gone by the wayside like so many other opportunities by the incumbent conglomerate that shows exceptional efficiency only when it comes to obeying the commands from the masters. Rest of the time, it is caught in deep slumber.