Source: Dawn

By Zahid Hussain: Twitter: @hidhussain

THERE has hardly been an instance where the state has capitulated so humiliatingly to a group of extremists holding the nation’s capital hostage. The six-point agreement brokered by the military leadership is virtually a document of surrender. A beleaguered civilian administration has signed on the dotted line conceding all the demands of clerics named in what is described as the Fourth Schedule of the police department, or the extremist watch list.

Not only has the law minister been forced to resign, those involved in attacks on the law-enforcement agencies and engaged in unlawful activities are also to be compensated. While the cases against the rioters are withdrawn the government has agreed to investigate the action taken by the law-enforcement agencies that were following court orders. The cleric leading the protesters claims the administration has promised to do more than what has been stipulated in the agreement.

All claims about the rule of law and authority of the state were cast to the wind in order to appease a few thousand zealots. Those behind the casualties suffered by the police during the operation are forgiven. Most intriguing is that a senior ISI officer is also a signatory to the sordid deal along with the interior minister. It is hard to recall another instance of an intelligence official involved in brokering a deal between the government and extremists challenging the writ of the state here.

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