AIR STRIKES AGAINST TALIBAN STOPPED

PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT STOPPED 

AIR STRIKES AGAINST TALIBAN

in a balancing act, Pak government matched the Taliban’s on month ceasefire with announcement to suspend air strikes in the volatile tribal areas that have left more than 100 terrorists dead so far.

The announcement by the government of Pakistan to ground its fighter jets comes a day after Taliban announced they had decided not to carry out any activities for one month following a positive response from the government, an appeal from religious scholars in honour of the representative committee and in the greater interest of Islam and Pakistan.

Taliban statement is as like; (We announce a month long ceasefire from today and advise all our companions and subgroups to respect the decision of government of Pakistan and completely refrain from all jihad activities during this time period.)

Government of Pakistan considered Taliban’s announcement of ceasefire as a positive development. After the positive announcement by the Taliban the government of Pakistan has decided to halt the air strikes against militants which were continuing for the past few days. However it is also warned that government would effectively retaliate to any act of violence by the Taliban. Government and the army reserve the right to effectively respond to any act of violence.

As a result it is yet to be seen how Taliban react to government’s announcement of hitting back in the advent of any terrorist activity by the terrorists. Taliban groups opposed to peace talks may also try to derail the process. Where Taliban needs to effectively implement their ceasefire decision and ensure that none of its affiliates or even the dissidents indulge in a terrorist activity, the civilian leadership of the country will also have to join heads with the military leadership to take them into confidence bring them on the same page and devise a plan to make the peace initiative productive. The only thing is clear, the ceasefire announcement between government of Pakistan and Pakistani Taliban ha at least allowed the government to isolate and wipe out those opposed to the dialogue process.