Since invading the Buner district, 60 miles away from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, Pakistani troops have been pouring into the region in order to contain what is being perceived as an invasion. The Taliban insist that they are carrying out a non-violent preaching campaign, but there was at least one confirmed dead during a skirmish between Pakistani forces and the radicals. A few days ago, a prominent Muslim cleric who helped draft the cease-fire agreement that imposed Islamic law on the Swat Valley area in exchange for cessation of hostilities asked the Taliban to leave the Buner district. The Taliban complied.

Today, Pakistan launched an offensive in the district of Lower Dir where Taliban militants have been increasing their presence. Dir is itself covered under the cease-fire deal that imposes Islamic law. Pakistan insists that the presence of militants will not be tolerated and that they should lay down their arms in accordance with the deal that gave in to their demands. The government insists that in spite of this new offensive, the peace deal is still intact.

It is about time that the Pakistani government took off the gloves in dealing with the Taliban. They should be careful not to enter into a prolonged guerrilla conflict which will only further destabilize this nuclear-armed country, but to allow the militants to swarm other districts and impose martial law is not acceptable. The war in Afghanistan is being fueled by Taliban safe havens in Pakistan and elements of Al Qaeda are currently hiding there. Victory will not be possible without stopping terrorist and militant operations in that region… which means that either Pakistan handles it or Pakistan must let the USA handle it. I prefer the former.

-AG