ABSTRACT
In 2007,Pakistan entered into an era of suicide bombing,attacks on public rallies,government property, military personnel, police stations, and girls’ schools, killing of alleged ‘spies,’ and abduction of government officials and foreign diplomats. Proto-Taliban elements were able to torch a large number of containers carrying supplies for NATO forces across the border with Afghanistan.They practically took over Swat valley in late 2008 and early 2009, abolished the writ of the state and forced a quarter of a million people to migrate. The army started operations against the Taliban but failed to make any headway.The government in Peshawar felt obliged to negotiate with the Taliban after the breakdown of social order in the valley. There were also incidents of sectarian violence in Quetta in Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab which cost dozens of lives and created tension between the followers of Shi’a and Sunni sects.
