Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab, recently created quite a stir when he asked the Punjabi Taliban to spare Punjab. The whole country was stunned, as this was equivalent to asking the terrorists to continue their nefarious activities in other parts of the country. But being the Chief Minister of Pakistan’s most populous province, naturally he has the interests of Punjab at heart.
So I won’t be surprised if, during the next war between India and Pakistan, he asks Indian Sikh soldiers and pilots to spare Punjab. After all, Sikhs once ruled over the Punjab and many of their holy places are situated there. As the old Sikhs still say, “He who has not seen Lahore has never lived!â€
So, to save Punjab from the militants, Shahbaz Sharif should appoint a few people like Dr. Israr Ahmed as his advisors (who can mediate between him and the Taliban). If nothing else, this will at least keep extremists like Dr. Israr quiet as long as they remain advisors to the Chief Minister. And the longer their mouths are shut, the better it is for Pakistan.
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