Peshawar: We need answers

Peshawar’s residents could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss over peace talks is about. Two further attacks – a triple explosion at a cinema on Tuesday that killed 13 people and then on Wednesday an attack at the house of a person whose brother was in the police and had been killed by militants last year – will prompt many to lose faith in the negotiation process that has only just kicked off unless both the government and the TTP can explain why attacks are still continuing. Both the central government and the provincial PTI government claim that these attacks are an attempt to sabotage talks with the TTP. Such an evasive answer will not suffice. If they know who is behind the attacks and are not theorising in lieu of real answers then they need to tell the nation who this outside force is. The government has never been shy about pointing the finger at outside sources before, having repeatedly said that India was involved in troubles in Balochistan. Why the hesitation to name names now? Until we get convincing answers the only conclusion that can be reached is that the government is clueless about who is behind the continuing attacks or thinks that the TTP is responsible but does not want to sabotage the peace process.

The TTP, for its part, has never been hesitant to claim responsibility for attacks but now vows that it has nothing to do with the violence. One reasonable theory could be that elements within the TTP are opposed to any compromise with the government and so are operating as before, with the added determination to stymie talks. Not so, says TTP negotiator Maulana Samiul Haq, who says that every group within the TTP is committed to dialogue. We can never fully expect the TTP to level with us and neither should the government. Our law-enforcement agencies should then be even more alert and raise their investigative game. Knowing who is behind the attacks will determine the future course of negotiations so, apart from improving security in vulnerable areas, tracking down the culprits and ascertaining their affiliation should be a priority. Above all, the residents of Peshawar should not be left to feel like they are pawns in a larger game between the government, the TTP and some unknown, unnamed third force. After over a decade of suffering they deserve better than to be left to their own devices while everyone else pursues what they consider to be loftier goals.