PROSPECTS of talks between the Nawaz Sharif government and the Pakistani Taliban have faded out. Already there has been opposition from the Pakistan Army which had evidence that the Pakistani Taliban had links with the Taliban in Afghanistan. The present development also shows the importance of a person in politics and is to the interest of India which would not welcome a Pakistan- Taliban alliance in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban have elected hardliner Mullah Fazlullah as their leader. His men shot Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai. Fazlullah has the fiercest Islamism views. His predecessor Mehsood and his allies had tentatively opted for talks with the Islamabad government but his killing in a US drone attack and the emergence of Fazullah have changed the picture. The Pakistani Taliban now claim that in the name of peace, Islamabad is killing their people. They are absolutely sure that the Pakistan government supports US drone attacks, despite Sharif’s stand in the US recently.
The agenda of the Pakistani Taliban is to topple the Nawaz Sharif government and impose Sharia law. Fazlullah’s assuming office starts a period of uncertainty .The fact that Pakistan is a nuclear power aggravates the situation. A salutary effect of the failure of talks will be closing of ranks between the Pakistani Army and the civilian government. Even after General Kiyani ‘s retirement. The Army followed a policy of gunning down the Taliban in Waziristan. This should ensure stability in Pakistan. That will be advantage India as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is anxious to resume bilateral talks with Nawaz Sharif.
