To be fair, it was unlikely the peace process would have gotten very far.

Sadly that is true :l But I think it's more symbolic than anything else, it shows that they were getting closer to the point where they would rather talk than blow up more buses. Close, not there though. But bombing the guy won't have made things any better because the new one will likely feel they have something to prove and 'avenge' their predecessor. It's just like the Greek Hydra :l Kill one Jihadi and 2 more arise from their friends and family.

[quote]But I think it's more symbolic than anything else, it shows that they were getting closer to the point where they would rather talk than blow up more buses. Close, not there though.[/quote]I agree that trying to reach out to Hakimullah was definitely a symbolic gesture. To the Pakistani's, it shows that they [i]are[/i] trying to do something about the levels of violence in their country. However, Hakimullah wasn't likely the type to agree to any peace plan with Pakistan. He wasn't exactly labeled as "good Taliban".

The only way the Jhihad will end is by stopping America from being so greedy and imperialistic

Pretty much :l Same thing when Russia when into the middle east, the Mujahideen would have fought until the last afghanistani was dead before giving up. Even if you look before then when Britain started poking them back in the 1800s (I think, I'm a little rusty on that) same tactics albeit with a bit more honour than blowing up children.