Pakistan: Threat to Bilawal Bhutto

Must not be taken lightly

While the TTP has declared a ceasefire, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), one of the umbrella organisation’s components, has issued threat to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. This is just one example of the duplicity that characterises the militant network. The organisation has now given a long list of the relatives of the militants who they want to be freed for being noncombatants. The TTP demands the release of two terrorists in return for Prof Ajmal Khan, the aged Vice Chancellor of Peshawar University. It has refused to hand over Salmaan Taseer and Ali Haider Gilani on the plea that they are relatives of the leaders of a party the TTP is at war with. Taseer and Gilani are not to be set free despite being noncombatants, how can the Taliban demand the release of their own relatives?

What Bilawal Bhutto said in his tweet about the LeJ and the shelter provided to its leadership in Punjab is widely known. The leaders of the anti-Shia terrorist group have long used Punjab as a launching pad for attacks all over the country. It is time the network is not allowed to use the province as safe haven.

The demand for action on Bilawal’s tweet by Sindh government and the Sindh Assembly Speaker indicates the sensitivity of the issue. Seven years back Benazir Bhutto died in a terrorist attack. Any attempt at Bilawal’s life would cause an unprecedented wave of resentment in Sindh with serious consequences for the federation. Routine instructions to the IGP to investigate the complaint are insufficient. The threat against the head of a mainstream political party must not be taken lightly. What is needed is action against the terrorist network. One expects Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take serious note of the threat to the young and upcoming politician who stands committed to the unity and integrity of the country.

The first face to face meeting between the government peacemakers and the five-member militants’ committee has failed to make any headway. The Taliban wanted written assurances that their demands would be accepted and refused to extend the ceasefire in case this was not done within the next few days. This amounts to dictation with a pointed gun in hand. It is unthinkable for a responsible state to yield to blackmail. The committee which was not in a position to make the commitment has returned to report back to the government. It appears that those who painted the Taliban as being keen for peace and aroused hopes about the prospects of talks were leading the nation up the garden path. The government has now to prepare itself to meet the situation after the termination of ceasefire.