THE emergence of Tehreek-i-Labaik ya Rasoolullah on the national scene has given rise to many a question about the manner in which our political leaders and military commanders reacted and dealt with the clerics who marched on the federal capital to press their demands.

While some see it as a red herring of the government to divert attention from its shortcomings, others swear that it is agrand conspiracy against the government.

Whatever may be the case, the incident has brought the country a bad name.

Pakistan`s image in the world has been tarnished and the international community questions our intentions. And it is right in doing so.

How can a motley mob of a few hundred uneducated and uncouth ruffians hold a nuclear-weapons state hostage in its own federal capital? All stakeholders, particularly the political parties, would do well not to fish in these troubled waters as the greatest sufferer would be democracy and the people of Pakistan. Even if the PML-N has not delivered, it should be allowed to complete its term and the people might vote it out. It seems someone, somewhere is backing militancy.

Mir Sahib Khan Ghalib LakkiMarwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa