But it may well be argued that that is not how Islamabad sees the issue and it may, in the circumstances, wish to continue to create trouble for India. That would take some nerve. But if our liberals want India to offer some face-saving device for Musharraf, that should not be difficult to arrange. Perhaps Pakistan can be invited to send a non-official observer at the talks. At any rate it is unlikely that the Hurriyat will not be in constant touch with Pakistan during the negotiations.
Nobody wants to see Islamabad eat crow or be seen to be humbled though it deserves that treatment.
But it must remember that it cannot blackmail India and it cannot force India to enter into bilateral talks through terrorist activities. In the final analysis it is up to the people of Pakistan to rebel against their own Army for bringing them to such terrible straits. There are signs that the Pakistani people are getting restive. And it is a good thing to encourage them now. Fully and firmly.