The daring terror attacks have drawn large-scale condemnation in Pakistan, for they expose the abject failure of security forces. Ordinary cit- izens are seeking answers and assur- ances from the government; if such highly-protected police locations are so insecure, then what is the state of security and safety of ordinary people?
Institutional stability is particularly important given that Pakistan hosts up to 120 nuclear warheads and it concurrently practices terrorism as a state policy (even though it is not officially stated). Now, given the process of natural seepage and affliction of the larger societal sensibilities and regressions onto a sub-institution within its midst, the Pakistani military, it is absolutely critical that the safety of the nuclear programme is never compromised. For long, fears of nuclear wherewithal falling into wrong hands has haunted security mandarins across the globe
The Afghan Taliban’s rise to power ~ considered a “strategic win” for Pakistan and publicly welcomed by several politicians and officials in that country ~ has, she asserts, provided an unmistakable boost to the TTP. The TTP has clearly intensified its terror tactics with a wink and a nod from its allies in the Afghan Taliban.
The indiscriminate bloody bombing campaign all over Pakistan, in addition to the killing spree of the TTP in the erstwhile tribal areas, needs no reminding as it is a recent experience. The TTP did not and does not have a modicum of legitimate cause for its murderous campaign apart from an extremist, violent ideology.
It was because of this reason that Pakistan initiated talks with the TTP. The two sides reportedly held at least three face-to-face meetings. One was held in Kabul while the other two took place in Khost.
