Perception of drift

While the NWFP government has made commendable efforts to bring peace to Swat, the region cannot remain under control for long if militants of all sorts are allowed to challenge the writ of the state in the adjoining areas. The government in Islamabad has for the last three months stood bogged down in the judicial crisis and is involved in grappling with the country's economic woes. With the departure of PML-N Ministers, comprising nearly half the cabinet, it is finding it difficult to concentrate on vital issues. The President who alone is constitutionally mandated to look after FATA is keeping his fingers crossed while Mr Rehman Malik, an un-elected Advisor on Interior Affairs with little vision or understanding of the complex issue, calls the shots issuing statements over the matter which he often contradicts the next day. There is thus a perception of drift on the part of the government. This renders it urgent to resolve the issues of the judges' restoration, the president's future and bringing back the PML-N in the federal cabinet. The country badly needs a head of state, who devotes full time to the improvement of the situation in FATA instead of spending time in palace intrigues.