Engaging militants

DAYS before the US visit of Prime Minister Gilani, the leadership of the ruling coalition met to take a joint stand on the issue of militancy. Mian Nawaz Sharif, who could not attend the session, was represented by PML(N) President Shahbaz Sharif. That the leaders decided to meet to seriously take up at least one of the most pressing issues faced by the country is, indeed, welcome. In a seven-hour meeting, they agreed that while growing militancy constituted a serious threat to national security, it had to be tackled through dialogue rather than by use of force. The meeting was given a detailed briefing by the COAS who was assisted by the chiefs of important security agencies. While the leaders agreed that the country's soil was not to be allowed to be used for terrorist activities, a complaint that the US and its allies have frequently made, they also made it known that its sovereignty would be defended against foreign intervention. So far the government has not gone beyond routine protests against the violation of Pakistan's airspace or against missile attacks. Meanwhile the ISPR has announced the winding up of the week-long Hangu operation. The meeting was timely, as it would strengthen the hands of Mr Gilani during talks with the Bush administration, which gives top priority to the issue of terrorism.
The PPP has been frequently criticised for taking important decisions without consulting coalition partners. Demands have been made to take vital national issues to the National Assembly so that policy decisions are taken after a thorough debate. The matter was taken up by the JUI(F) and the PML(N) who complained that the military operation had been launched without taking them on board. It was urged that a parliamentary session be convened to evolve a long-term policy on extremism and militancy. There are indications that this would be held soon after Prime Minister Gilani's return from the US.
There is a need to convene meetings of the heads of the coalition parties to take up matters of national importance. These include the issues of the judges' restoration and the President's impeachment, which continue to be a source of bitterness between the PPP and the PML(N). The federal cabinet slots left vacant after the departure of the PML(N) ministers remain unfilled. This is badly affecting the performance of the cabinet. The PML(N) again has reiterated its stand that unless these two issues are resolved it would neither join the cabinet nor nominate chairmen of different National Assembly committees. Unless the issues are sorted out the alliance between the two parties would remain in jeopardy.