When I wrote about the ‘Talebanization of Karachi’ on the basis of my analysis of the ground reality on a visit to Pakistan in connection to with PhD program, many voiced their opposition to my view. Today, these ‘worms of extremism’ are expected to make their way to the capital of Pakistan. All those political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League (N), who were supporting the Swat deal with Taleban, have made a volte-face.
Opposition is building toward the peace deal aimed at ending Taleban violence in the northwestern region after they have challenged the democratic rule and have started taking over new areas.
The parliament, which had unanimously approved the peace accord in the Swat valley and its adjoining areas, is now being criticized. President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to the deal despite criticism from the US, other Western governments, as well as opposition by Pakistani liberals and rights groups.
Certainly, the dissatisfaction and criticism of the Pakistani government’s efforts by the US administration and their repeated insistence to ‘do more’ is not new. These words echo time to time to shame Pakistan, which has always been under pressure from internal political forces to say ‘no more’.
However, the time has come for Pakistan to seriously think about the situation by doing ‘something more’ effectively for the sake of its own security and to protect its writ. The Swat deal has given a taste of victory to the Taleban militants, sparking global concerns as in the US administration, whose fears grow as the Taleban gain strength both in Pakistan and in the neighboring Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, while many political parties are in acceptance of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) opposition to the Swat deal, there is no national consensus on this matter.
The civil society, political parties and the administrations of the four provinces need to demonstrate that they can mutually manage their internal issues, and that the US as well as other global bodies should not criticize and concern themselves with the country’s internal matters.
Indeed, Pakistan is still suffering from the menace of suicide attacks and terrorism. Interior minister Rehman Malik has asked for the international community’s help to cope with the various issues. But what can the international community do in this situation? The US has been unsuccessful in stopping suicide attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the US is trying to tackle extremism in Pakistan with airborne drone attacks, which is not easy, given the region has a tribal tradition of revenge. Since many innocent lives are being lost due to these drone attacks, it is difficult for the US to convince the Pakistani people that it wants to help Pakistan against Al-Qaeda and Taleban.
Unfortunately, the Taleban are gaining support by choosing locals, who have lost their near and dear ones in the drone attacks, to carry out suicide attacks in the cities of Pakistan. Hence, these attacks on militant hide-outs are proving to be useless as they are producing problems. Dialogue with more moderate Islamist groups will be helpful instead, but before that the US should understand that economic development is necessary in Swat and its border areas to defuse the insurgency.
The lone agreement in Swat was an attempt to create a local solution but unfortunately it did not yield the desired results.
In this situation, when the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admits that the US had a share in creating problems that now plague Pakistan, this should be considered a positive statement. The militancy issue in Pakistan is linked to the US-backed proxy war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. The US funded the militants (who were then called Mujahideen) and then deserted Pakistan to deal with the stingers.
The seeds sown by the US in Afghanistan were plenty with far-reaching effects in the neighborhood as well. So now if the US blames Pakistan for its failure without contributing to any development program, then accords like the Swat deal will happen due to the untrustworthy atmosphere to control the local pressure. The US should provide unconditional support to Pakistan to save it from extremists who want to devour the country, and perhaps, even the world.
To start with US should understand that peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding. Clinton has shown an understanding behavior towards the fateful land, which is the second largest Muslim country in the world and a nuclear power. Pakistan has already infuriated many anti-Islamic elements. It is a pity that even the so-called clerics have chosen to challenge the writ of the land and have tried to ruin the country’s constitution.
It is the government’s responsibility to protect the country’s constitution and keep its sovereignty intact instead of signing deals with local militants and community groups.
The objectives of the Taleban militants have been clear from the beginning. What kind of a message was given to the world by signing a deal with a banned militant group? It was like digging one’s own grave to leave the populace on the mercy of the Taleban.
It is indeed dangerous to enter into the so-called peace deals to temporarily satisfy the masses. The parliament should have understood its risks before unanimously approving it as the deal was tantamount to surrendering to the forces of obscurantism.
Islamic Shariah protects the rights of civilians and is very different from the Taleban’s version of Shariah.
This controversial deal with militants should be re-looked at as it has proved to be more a panic deal rather than a peace deal. – SG
0 comments:
Post a Comment