THE decision that the troika - President, Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff - took at Islamabad on Saturday about taking the Parliament into confidence on meeting the challenge posed by the War On Terror has long been the demand of various political parties and the media. That should constitute the first step in taking the nation along in the most vexing issue of the day that has, for one thing, created a countrywide sense of insecurity. For another, how the authorities have acted in shaping the course of events since 9/11 while trying to defeat the menace of militancy has sharpened divisions among different sections of society. The presence of ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan at the meeting held at the Presidency was quite appropriate considering that not only he is a major stakeholder, he had also recently been the missed target of a suicide bomber. According to press reports, top security officials of the country would hold an in-camera briefing of Senators and MNAs in a joint session of Parliament to be held on October 8 about the situation on the ground relating to the terrorist phenomenon and security in the country, with particular reference to the tribal areas and NWFP. The briefing would provide the parliamentarians with an opportunity to seek answers to the various questions that have been agitating the minds of the people about Pakistan's blind, wholeheartedly support to the US to the extent of launching military operations in the FATA that have had highly pernicious effect on peace in the country. As a result of the exchange of views one hopes that the government would be able to formulate a clear-cut strategy and a roadmap to fight out the scourge of terrorism and militancy, that would meet the national interests in the best possible manner. The parliamentarians should also be able to give their input about the troika decision to extend support to the tribal lashkars formed to fight terrorist forces. President Zardari is right in believing that the nation acting with unity could provide strength enough to root out terrorism. For that to achieve, the government has to apprise the public as a whole how it plans to face the threat that is shaking the country's foundations. Somehow there has been a lot of talk about the social and economic development of the tribal region without much happening on the ground. The high-sounding commitment of President Bush made at Islamabad more than two and a half years ago about establishing 'reconstruction opportunity zones' with products manufactured there to have free access to the US market has so far remained nothing but hot air, suggesting that Washington might have some hidden designs in the region. Facing one of the gravest challenges in its history, Pakistan would need to act like one man. Only then can it come out successfully.