The wrestlers’ combinations of the past two years were predetermined, the tricks were certainly shown, but they were all for show. The combination of the old lion and the dragon will be decisive for the country and also a difficult challenge for the old lion’s easier life.

The monster of terrorism in Balochistan has now become a dragon. The state, the authorities, Punjab and the people all talk in crowded gatherings about dealing with this dragon. Generally, three ways are suggested to deal with this dragon. The first way is that the only cure for the dragon is the use of force, there is no other way but to crush its spread wings with force. The second way is that the reasons for the emergence of the dragon are deprivations, the solution of which is political. The power of the dragon is increasing day by day through the use of force. If politics is used, the dragon’s wings will automatically shrink and it will hide in the mountains. The third proposed way is that the state should deal with this problem through a two-pronged solution. On the one hand, the terrorism of the dragon should be fought, and on the other hand, those who are not involved in terrorism and are suffering from political deprivations should be given a chance in politics and the dragon should be dealt with separately. Apparently, both the old lion and the little lion consider it better to use politics instead of force in this issue, which is why the old lion has met with the head of the National Party and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Dr. Malik, with full political protocol. The old lion’s associates believe that the old lion tried to find a political solution to this issue by making Akhtar Mengal and Dr. Malik the Chief Ministers, but both times their governments were overthrown and thus things deteriorated.

The old lion has experience, he is senior to Modi and every leader in South Asia, but this time the challenge is much bigger. The team fighting the dragon is neither of the same mind nor in agreement. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, former caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, former Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and most members of the provincial cabinet of Balochistan believe that there is only one cure for the dragon now and that is open war. According to them, what is the point of negotiations with terrorists and then their demand is to break Pakistan and liberate Balochistan. There should be no negotiations with those who kill Punjabi and Pathan workers indiscriminately, but only war. I think that the powerful institutions of the state are still considering the three options given above. Perhaps no final decision has been made in this regard and the old lion’s descent into the dragon’s forest indicates that there is still some scope for politics on this issue.

Now let’s come to the important question, will the old lion be able to neutralize the fire-breathing dragon? Most of the YOUNG TURKS believe in fighting the dragon, half of the state is also bent on it, the rulers of Balochistan also believe in the same thought. Will the old lion be able to separate from all these allies and raise the flag of peace and politics? It seems difficult. There is a big difference between 2013 and 2025, the dragon and its philosophy have become stronger and more powerful. Dr. Malik and Akhtar Mengal are so helpless in front of the dragon that they cannot even condemn the killing of Punjabis and Pashtuns. The earth has slipped from under these peace-loving politicians, now it is either the dragon or a cruel force that can break its head. It has been reported from the corridors of power that the young lion always tells Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti to find a political way to solve the problem in Balochistan. The Chief Minister who says what to negotiate on is either asking for independence or wants to snatch independence through force and terrorism. Initially, the public opinion of Punjab considered the political solution of Balochistan as the only way out. The Baloch cause had general support even in the face of Balochistan’s deprivations and political insecurity, but when the bodies of Punjabis started coming from Balochistan, the reaction became the same as it was to such actions of the MQM. Now the majority opinion is that not resolving the dragon is weakness. Has the dragon become stronger than the state? On the other hand, there is also a fear that Balochistan may become a new Bangladesh due to bloodshed. At present, the PPP is the provincial government in Balochistan. Zardari Sahib is ill, so he has not suggested any new way to resolve the Balochistan issue, but it is understood from Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s speech that he is in favor of resolving the issue politically first, as if both the parties sitting at the center believe in a political solution. PTI is currently trying to do everything against the ruling party and the government, so it is against the operation in Balochistan, but in the past it has been committed to the policy of fighting against the ruling party, the father party and terrorists. Whatever happens, the old lion, except for quarreling with the PTI, has been avoiding every conflict, keeping his eyes closed or watching the situation with one eye open while sleeping. The Balochistan issue is the first difficult step in which there may be a conflict with the ruling party, there may be a difference in the federal cabinet and there will definitely be a conflict with the Balochistan government. They will not applaud Dr. Malik’s meeting with Nawaz Sharif, they will fill the ears of the ruling party and by straightening their ranks, they will thwart the old lion’s efforts from behind. The dragon of terrorism will also not be easily controlled. It is already taking actions every day and can do something big. The dragon does not like peace, but fighting and its work will be done through chaos, not politics. The old lion has really been put to the test!!