Rehman Malik has rejected the Taliban offer for ceasefire in tribal areas till they surrender their arms (The Nation, Aug 25). This appears to be the core issue in the tribal areas. A flexible approach from either side could greatly help to solve it, bringing normalcy not only in FATA but also in rest of the country. No harm in signing a comprehensive agreement with the Taliban firmly committing them to surrender of arms within a reasonable time frame. History is witness to the fact that even British Raj, more often than not, had failed to exercise its writ in FATA. Life is about making connections with other people. Life is about listening to others. Phillip Lopate once said, "There is a certain unity to human experience". -Z.A. KAZMI, Karachi, August 28.