THE interior minister has admitted that releasing Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists was a mistake. TTP, having killed thousands of security personnel and civilians, is considered a major threat to Pakistan, but in 2021, the government had opted to negotiate with the banned TTP and released scores of militants from jail as a ‘goodwill gesture’.

It is shocking that the government negotiated with a group that killed our people, including children, and damaged our social fabric. In fact, the TTP demands were always unacceptable to the state as well as the people, and acceding to its demands would have meant a surrender of the state. Yet, the government negotiated with the terrorist group. Why?

It is high time for those who released hardcore TTP terrorists to take responsibility for their mistakes. Those involved in the negotiations with the TTP should be held accountable. Why should the public always suffer for such damaging steps of our policymakers?

Anwar Sayab Khan
Bannu

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2024