THE National Assembly has sent a strong message to the terrorists in Swat to stop torching the girls' schools or banning female education. The resolution passed by the Lower House has called these actions unIslamic, unjustified and unconstitutional and has called for rebuilding the schools and protecting schoolgoing children. One had hoped that the coalition ruling the province would use the influence it wields in the area, as reflected in the electoral results, to bring peace through talks which were initiated soon after the formation of the government. Measures like the release of TNSM chief Sufi Mohammad were supposedly meant to achieve the objective. This was presumably interpreted by the militants as a sign of weakness, with the result that instead of the level of militancy coming down, crimes like attacks on government property and police stations, and torching of schools multiplied. Islam makes it binding for all males and females to seek education. What is more, Pakistan was conceived as a moderate Muslim state by its founding fathers. The All-India Muslim League led by the Quaid-e-Azam encouraged Muslim women to take part in politics. The party nurtured a numbered of women political activists, some of whom made a name in the country's history. Miss Fatima Jinnah was chosen to lead the movement for democracy and contested the presidential election against military dictator Ayub Khan. A number of prominent religious leaders spoke at public meetings presided over by her and lent her full support. It was in pursuit of a modernist policy that consecutive governments have tried to provide education to women in all fields. Girls have now an option to seek higher education in co-educational institutions or those meant for girls only. It is incomprehensible under the circumstances why certain elements oppose female education. There is a perception that while some of them might be misguided elements, there are others who could be agents of foreign powers hostile to Pakistan. The government needs to establish its writ in the region by all means at its disposal. Girl students have to be provided full protection and none allowed to damage their schools. While the military operation in Swat has amply conveyed the message that the government is prepared to do what it takes to stop the terrorists from their nefarious activities, it has failed to improve the situation. There is a need therefore for the federal government to devise a political strategy also to contain militancy in consultation with its coalition partners like the JUI(F), and leaders of other religio-political parties.