It wasn’t until late into the night on Tuesday that political parties issued statements condemning the attack. Even then, most leaders decided against issuing an all-out condemnation of the Taliban or calling for action against them. Barring the ANP, none of the party’s representatives said the Taliban should be dealt with forcefully in order to restore peace in the country.

The violence and terror unleashed by the Taliban and their various factions over the last half a decade is there for everyone to see. Countless innocent lives have been lost to bomb blasts, IED attacks, suicide attacks, targeted killings and other similar variants of violence. Why, then, has it been so difficult for the mainstream political parties to openly voice their opposition to the Taliban?

How many more lives will be lost before the decision makers and power brokers go all out against these men who have committed so many heinous crimes?

In the 24 hours, or more, that have transpired since the attack on the brave young girl there have been widespread peaceful protests across the country and abroad, against the act. People have also taken to social media to register and voice their disgust.

Has the time come for the political parties, the elected representatives, the military and other law-enforcement agencies to unite against the Taliban and launch an all-out operation against them?

How long will it take until the decision makers put their foot down and condemn the terrorists without mincing their words?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share their opinions and debate over this issue…

While the points raised by Mengal have brought hope for some form of reconciliation on the Balochistan issue, the response, if any, from the security agencies and the establishment will be key to revealing if any real progress will be made.

Political parties and their leaders have come forward to support Mengal, especially the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf. However, the government has continued on its stance that there is no involvement of security agencies in the disappearances and target killings in Balochistan, with government officials condemning Mengal’s statements.

Interior Minister Rahman Malik has said that the government is ‘serious on the issue of recovering the missing persons and that all valid grievances of the former chief minister of Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar would be addressed” but no progress has been made.

Hearing on the Balochistan missing persons’ case resumes on October 8, and it remains to be seen what turn the case will take after Mengal’s appearance and statements.

How will Sardar Mengal’s appearance before the court and his six-point charter affect the situation in Balochistan?

Will the government take note of the grievances, now that its political opponents have also supported Mengal’s stance?

Is the support from the political parties being voiced in order to garner support before the elections?

Who are the true representatives of the Baloch people? How can the inhabitants’ voice be heard?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share their views and voice their suggestions…

In an another incident last week, seven security personnel were beheaded by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the South Waziristan tribal region. These incidents follow reports of the Taliban’s presence in Tirah valley and scattered events highlighting their cruel activities.

Additionally, Pakistan has come under pressure from the United States to carry out an operation in the North Waziristan tribal region, similar to the one being carried out by in south. While the American interests seemingly lie in the operation due to the Haqqani network’s reported presence in the area, Pakistan must also try to rid itself of any militant pockets. The Corps Commander of the 11th Corps in Peshawar denied reports of an operation being planned in N. Waziristan but reports of aid agencies being asked to prepare for the displacement of over 200,000 locals have also surfaced.

While the status of Pakistan’s ties with the US has remained stagnant, there has been no shortage of exchange of verbal blows between officials of both countries.

Should Pakistan reject American suggestions of carrying out an operation in N. Waziristan?

Considering the resources required to carry out such an operation and to cater to the IDPs, will it be better to hold the operation back?

How can Pakistan tackle the reemergence of Taliban in tribal regions and their attacks on security personnel and civilians?

Dawn.com invites its users to share their suggestions and give their comments on the issue…

PTI, as well as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have decided to challenge the speaker’s decision in the Supreme Court, and leaders of both parties have been busy threatening a ‘long march’ against the present government.

Is the opposition’s stance on the ruling a principled one, or the parties attempting to give a political spin to the situation?

Will Pakistani politicians create a standoff between the country’s premier institutions or is this a sign of a real change in the country’s political future?

Are rallies, long marches and political altercations the solution to the problems Pakistan faces? Or, should all political parties try and reach a consensus on a means to take the country forward?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share their views…

The joint rally was being conducted by members and leaders of the nationalist party Awami Tehreek and the banned Peoples Amn Committee (PAC), with support from Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Protesting against the recent increase in graffiti and posters demanding a separate province for Mohajirs, the rally was attacked as it neared the old city centre, reports said.

Identity of the assailants remained unclear and there is no clear indication on the hand behind the messages on the walls of Karachi.

Recent calls for division of provinces or creation of new provinces have gained momentum, but have also led to disruption of peace in various parts of the country.

If the demands for new provinces are genuine, why are such discussions leading to violence?

How can talks be held on the division of provinces on the basis of ethnic divides?

Must we always resort to violence in our attempts to suppress opposing voices?

Can the debate over creation of new provinces on the basis of ethnic divides be resolved by non-violent means?

The decision to attend the summit and, indeed, to invite Pakistan was linked to the reopening of Nato supplies being transported to Afghanistan. This hurdle, too, seems to be out of the way as hundreds of trucks crossed the Pak-Afghan border late Friday. Negotiations are still underway on the nature of the deal to allow the transportation of supplies to Nato forces.

Pakistan’s presence at the summit is crucial in that it is closely-linked to the future of Afghanistan. While it may be the core reason behind the invitation, it remains to be seen if Pakistan’s views will be heard at the summit.

How will world leaders react to Pakistan’s presence at the Nato summit?

Will Pakistan be able to press its view upon the Nato alliance? Or, did Nato hand out the invitation to complete a cursory formality?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share their opinion…

In the preceding week, Defence Minister Chuadhry Ahmad Mukhtar said that Pakistan might face sanctions if it did not resume the transportation Nato supplies to US forces in Afghanistan, while Pakistan is still waiting for an apology from the US over last November’s attack on Salala check post.

There are growing fears that despite being a US ally over the years, Pakistan may be dealt a financial blow over these strained ties. This, while the US has shown no indication of halting drone attacks inside Pakistan’s tribal areas.

With this growing lack of trust, what route should the government take in its “negotiations” with the US?

Should it allow the resumption of Nato supplies?

If, as is feared, the US decides to impose sanctions on Pakistan, what impact will it have on the country?

Dawn.com invites its readers to give their valuable feedback and insight on this debate…

For instance, in the case of the Seraiki province, will the geographical boundaries incorporate three divisions of southern Punjab or will the Seraiki-speaking parts of other provinces be included? Forming a consensus and strategies on this issue is far more important than rushing the process before the next polls.

Are the calls for the new province(s) simply led by political convenience and point scoring or could the government actually be sincere in encouraging the devolution of power and improving governance through this process?

If the Seraiki province is carved out, will the government next look at the Hazara belt and its plea for a separate province as well? Or does their interest lie only in the breaking down of Punjab?

Locals have protested against the operation, saying the residents of Lyari are being targeted on the pretext of a worsening state of lawlessness.

While the current operation underway in Lyari is the second of this year, Lyari’s residents question why similar action is not taken in other areas of Karachi. The state of lawlessness is prevalent in most areas of the city, they insist.

Why, then, does the government not launch such large-scale no-holds-barred operations in areas other than Lyari?

How many operations will it take to bring lasting piece to one of Karachi’s oldest neighbourhoods?

Are the residents of Lyari fair in asking for a cross-city operation of a similar extent?

Dawn.com invites its readers to give their suggestions and feedback on the Lyari operation…

The body also sent out notices to a number of entertainment channels, saying “vulgarity, obscenity and abusive” languages must not be aired on local television, terming it unethical and irresponsible.

While the warning must be welcomed as a much-needed move, it remains unclear how Pemra will gauge the levels of obscenity, vulgarity, dramatisation and so on.

How can standards be set on the quality of programming being aired by private television channels?

Having over a hundred private television channels shows how the industry has progressed from the days of singular, state-owned channel, but it also makes the task of quality control a very difficult one.

In such a scenario, what measures must television channels take to ensure a respectable standard, while also maintaining independence?

What legal implications, if any, could this notice have on the private television industry in Pakistan?

Dawn.com invites its readers to put forth their opinions on the legal and social repercussions of Pemra’s notice.