The current joint session of Parliament reminds me of Mao Te Sung's famous observation that "the 1st step in the right direction, in a thousand miles long journey, is the most important step." In a country of 165 million people, torn with conflicting political views and even ethnic rift, it would be no less than a miracle to expect readymade solutions to the complex challenges facing Pakistan. There are divergent views even about the nature of the crisis and the causes of the malady from which the nation suffer. For example, while the government and the political parties supporting it strongly feel that Pakistan has become a victim of the War On Terror to the extent that it is left with no other option but to respond accordingly through, what has come to be known as a three-pronged strategy. The opposition parties believe differently and make no secret that the current War On Terror is the war being waged by the West under the leadership of USA and it is not Pakistan's war because it serves to promote only the strategic interests of America and Europe supported by Israel and India. How can, therefore, even the best doctor can provide the necessary prescription without a proper diagnosis. Take a person with multiple injuries who is already suffering from cancer as well as having a heart problem with lungs not functioning properly and both kidneys and liver on the point of failure. But in case thousands of such patients suddenly confront various hospitals, the medical resources of the whole nation cannot cope with such a crisis as the one threatening Pakistan today and it cannot possibly be resolved by one joint session of the Parliament. To those who are impatient for a quick fix solution by the joint session, I would suggest them to look at this whole exercise as a joint investigation process to arrive at the diagnosis before the treatment can commence. In case of Pakistan's current national security crisis, the situation is further compounded by a number of other grave threats in the domains of economy and governance. Whereas normal failures of routine nature in administration judiciary or parliamentary law making can be rectified in good time but strategic blunders produce situations such as the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 and other failures leading to the present situation, for which the nation has to pay a very heavy price. SUN - TZU, one of the earliest philosophers of the ancient Chinese civilization remarks in his famous book "the art of war", in chapter on wisdom and warfare dealing with strategic advantage ad under on page 57. "Disorder is born from order; cowardice from courage; weakness from strength. The line between disorder and order lies in logistics (shu); between cowardice and courage, in strategic advantage (shih); and between weakness and strength, in strategic positioning (hsing). All determinate situations can be turned to advantage. The able commander is able to create differential and thus opportunities by manipulating his position and the position of the enemy. By developing a full understanding of those factors that define one's relationship with the enemy, and by actively controlling and shaping the situation so that the weaknesses of the enemy are exposed to one's acquired strength, one is able to ride the force of circumstance to victory." Unfortunately Pakistan has know SUZ-TZU available to guide us out of the present crisis. However, we have supreme guidance available in the form of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah made up to date by the concept of Pakistan advocated by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in the shape of a democratic Islamic welfare state. The joint session has made a good start by attempting to convert it into a national conference by inviting the leadership outside parliament in order to pool the collective wisdom of the nation towards fulfilling unfulfilled dreams of the Founding Fathers. The Nazria Pakistan Trust headed by Mr Majid Nizami who has dedicated himself to safeguard the Quaid's legacy has convened a national conference under the NPT next week in Lahore, aimed at projecting the Quaid's vision. The joint session of parliament which should continue its deliberations till a national consensus is arrived at, is well advised to take advantage of the recommendations of the NPT conference. The writer is the president of the Pakistan National Foundation E-mail: ikramullah@nation.com.pk