Terrorists have struck Karachi. At the time of writing all that is known is this: a bomb exploded at a makeshift market near city’s Quaidabad flyover; killing at least two leaving 10 critically injured. A Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) is examining another explosive device from the blast site. This is the first bomb attack anywhere in the country since the new government swept into power back in July. Thus far, no group has accepted responsibility. What is clear, however, is that whatever grace period there was is now over. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Envoy for Peace in Afghanistan, had been due to arrive here in Pakistan this weekend to discuss the reconciliation process next door. But that was before the Prime Minister thought he would try his luck by touching up Malaysia for aid. This is regrettable timing. Especially given President Ghani’s unhelpful comments this week. And while the American envoy would certainly have presented Kabul’s wish-list in terms of doable action — this would have been a welcome opportunity for Islamabad to put its own demands for peace on the table. Not only in light of the Karachi security breach but also in terms of murdered Superintendent Police (SP) Tahir Dawar whose body was found on the other side of the Durand Line. That the top leadership effectively rescheduled the meeting for an unspecified date signals a wasted opportunity. The Afghan government continues to accuse this side of sponsoring terrorism. Khadim Rizvi and his cohorts are effectively holding the country to ransom over the acquittal of Asia Bibi. Yet neither development appears sufficiently important to give Imran Khan pause for thought; prompting a rescheduling of foreign jaunts. It is almost as if the Centre has become so engrossed in taking that begging bowl out on the town that it forgets some of the prerequisites to avoid being put on the FATF blacklist. Ditto when it comes to that pesky business of securing an IMF loan. The message being sent to the international community is one that presents this regime as being willing to do whatever it takes to seal cash deals from who msoever agrees to ask the least number of questions. Bluntly put, this is not good enough. PM Khan needs to recall his pre-election pledge of not travelling out of the country for the first three months of his tenure. Admittedly, stopping economic hemorrhaging is crucial. But, so too, is getting to grips with running the country; the business of governance. This is something for which 22 years in opposition cannot prepare anyone. Not even. Kaptaan. For an absent leadership does no one much good. It serves to weaken the opposition and the democratic paradigm itself. Indeed, parties such as the PPP and PMLN are already eying the next elections as their stop-start vows to join hands demonstrates. Thus if Khan is not careful he may find himself a lame duck premier just three-months into the job. And if that happens the country will return to the political status quo. The people of Pakistan voted for change; some of them for a revolution. Thus the least the PTI can do is try and follow-through. In the name of a democratic mandate. * Published in Daily Times, November 17th 2018.