This is with reference to the article “The final showdown in Pakistan” by Muhammad Waqas (June 24). This, indeed, is a crucial time for Pakistan. The military offensive has been launched at a time when the economy is not at its best. The military campaign will obviously overburden the economy and the masses will bear the brunt of this campaign. What other choice did we have? We tried to hold talks with the militants and in return we got nothing.

This operation is imperative for the very existence of our country. All political and religious parties should set aside their differences and launch a campaign against the Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP). These elements should be crushed once and for all. The government should also do something about illegal Afghans and people of other nationalities roaming freely in Pakistan. Nobody should be allowed to use our country as a guesthouse or a launching pad for attacks in other countries or within Pakistan. It is high time we made hard choices in the greater good of the country.