APC: A vote of confidence for Nawaz Sharif

Last week’s All Parties Conference (APC), the first most comprehensive congregation of political heads in recent times, was a direct vote of confidence for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, arming him with a powerful tool to present Pakistan’s case against terrorism and look for international support for its cause at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Pakistani nation has unanimously expressed its resolve to rid itself of the menace that is badly affecting its economy and tearing the country apart. The resolution passed by the historic assembly in Islamabad, not only was a personal triumph for the premier, it sent a clear message to the world that Islamabad is dead serious in its efforts to deal with a complicated problem with the effectiveness it deserves.
It is now for the international community to back Pakistan, heed its advice, and lend whatever assistance it can to turn Pakistan into a peaceful, progressive state, so that it can play its due role in the world with dignity.
Paying lip service is not enough, Pakistan's sacrifices as a front-line state in the war on terrorism should be recognized and practical steps should be taken to repay the people of this country.
Whether the indirect efforts made so far to initiate a dialogue with the Tehrik-i-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) can really lead to something positive, will be too premature to predict, but statements from the TTP leadership regarding the peace talks are encouraging enough to remain optimistic.
It would be needless to say that the TTP and the Taleban of Afghanistan are two different entities — vastly different in approach and mindset. Pakistan government, drawing satisfaction from the military’s response to its preference for negotiations with the militants, is now in a much better position than ever, to at least set the ball rolling.
Arguments that militants need to surrender arms before being asked to come to the negotiating table are devoid of any logic. Any precondition at this critical stage, is bound to backfire. So, even if the Taleban do not lay down arms but agree to sit across the table, it will be a major development. That has been exactly the position taken by the prime minister and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and their arguments are backed by realism.
There is no point in getting emotional on a subject wherein differing viewpoints have already inflicted enough damage. Ground realities need to be appreciated, which the army has agreed to do. In fact both the army and the ISI chiefs have fully endorsed the civilian government’s viewpoint, which is heartening.
Sharif, ever since assuming the office, has been constantly in touch with Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Kayani, cool and calculated as he is, has reportedly appreciated Sharif’s viewpoint, which has greatly helped remove misconceptions that the civilian and military authorities were two different entities trying to dominate each other.
As a matter of fact, army’s position has never been that. It has always sided with the civilian government, recognized its legitimacy to conduct the affairs of the state.
Perceptions may differ but even if there were any differences on policy issues, these seem to have been put on the back burner. The Pakistan Army also wants a political solution to this problem. However, the APC was clear that if negotiations fail to yield desired results, the other option could always be used.
It is very heartening to note that all the political parties, religious or liberal, are on the same page.
The Taleban in Afghanistan and Al-Qaeda have weakened over time and are willing to hold talks with the United States. This should help the TTP realize importance of dialogue before it is too late.
However, there is one factor that could create problems in the long term and that is the existence of more than 60 groups claiming their affiliations with the TTP. But if any major group begins talks with the government, the smaller ones will automatically follow suit. The situation may be fluid but hopes are high.