Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s response to the Afghan spy agency’s assertion that Taliban leader Mullah Omar had died in Pakistan in April 2013, is merely an eyewash. He said, “I can confirm that Mullah Omar neither died nor was buried in Pakistan.” The defence minister called the reports about the death of the Afghan Taliban leader in Karachi, Quetta or any other city of the country false. He said that statements made by Mullah Omar’s family prove that he died in Afghanistan and was buried there. His statement does not seem plausible. Everybody knows about our tainted past relations with the Taliban leadership whom we pampered to safeguard our own interests in the region. However, at this juncture, there is no need to indulge in politicking on the death of a militant leader. There should not be any further deliberations about how he died and where he died. Rather, there is a need to strengthen the reconciliation process between the Afghan government and Taliban. Our defence minister need not give any clarification to anyone. He should not involve himself in any unwanted controversy that is not in the country’s interests. The government should focus on efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region. The government should divert its attention to the real issues that have plagued the region. Proxy wars have already produced devastating results and these should be abandoned once and for all. Amid the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan, such controversies are uncalled for and a wastage of time and energies. While speaking in the National Assembly, Khwaja Asif said that Pakistan does not want to be involved in the row pertaining to the Taliban leadership succession. He said Pakistan wants peace in the region and to play its role as facilitator between the Afghan Taliban and the Afghanistan government. This approach is praiseworthy and the government needs to stick to this stance. The process of bringing peace in Afghanistan is a difficult task. After the news about Mullah Omar’s death broke, there has been widespread anger that has resulted in severe rifts within the Taliban factions who are fighting over the selection of their chief. Not only the spoilers of peace but other terrorist outfits are also eying Afghanistan as an ideal place to spread their nefarious agenda. In this situation, Pakistan has to play a very critical role. It should work on the elimination of all controversies instead of becoming a reason for estranged relations between the Afghan government and Taliban. After the rise of the self-styled Islamic State group, there are more dangers to peace in the region. In this situation, the news of Mullah Omar’s death has created a new controversy. Speculating about the death of Mullah Omar is a non-issue and nobody should waste time on such controversies. *