It seems national confusion, over the threat posed by extremist tendencies and activities of militants is giving way to more clearer, rational and objective analysis of the threat. There was near consensus demand for operation against terrorists in Malakand Division in general and Swat in particular and the nation, with some understandable exceptions here and there, seems to be backing the military operation and wants the armed forces to decisively eliminate the extremists from the region and restore the writ of the state. By leaving their home and hearth in large numbers the people of Malakand have once again voted against the forces of extremism and obscurantism and in support of a democratic, liberal and prosperous Pakistan. This is third military operation in Malakand Division in less than two years. On previous two occasions the operations were stopped at some stage in exchange of promise of peace by the extremists. However, both these peace agreements resulted into strengthening the extremists and ceding of more areas and control by the state to them making the extremists more powerful. It also allowed the Taliban to re-group, re-equip and release their arrested colleagues. On the other hand, peace deals demoralised government supporters and ensuring the longevity of Taliban control in the minds of the people. It is true that during all those occasions the extremists promised to lay down arms and not to interfere in terrorist activities inside or outside the country. However, on both the occasions they failed to keep the promise, in fact they never intended to. The same was the case with other military operations launched in Waziristan and elsewhere the tribal areas. The government, political parties and society in general should keep the consequences of these peace deals with the extremists and any suggestion for fresh agreement with the militants should be rejected with contempt it deserve. Lower cadre of the extremist groups may, however, be offered amnesty if they renounce extremisms and militancy, lay down weapons and actively cooperate with the armed forces in apprehending their former accomplices. Special procedure may still be adopted to keep an eye on them and renegades should be given exemplary punishment. Operation in Malakand alone will not give the desired results until such operations are not launched in other areas, especially Waziristan and other parts of FATA where the extremists have virtually taken over the state authority. At the same time arrogant disregard of state authority and national laws in other areas of the country should be dealt without any regard for short-term political expediencies so that the due process of law and due protection under the law is ensured universally. The behaviour manifested by Sufi Muhammad and armed wing of his Tehrik e Shariat-e-Muhammadi after the parliamentary approval of Nizam-e-Adl Regulations has silenced many of their apologists, well-wishers, supporters and others who for other reasons have been backing such expediencies in the name of Islam. However, still there are people who continue to support the cause of militants and one way or the other are undermining the efforts to curb their tirade against Pakistan and everything it stands for. It must be understood that present fight going on in Malakand Division is the fight for the essence of Pakistan. It is fight to protect whatever semblance to Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal this country still has. The armed forces, which are fighting against the terrorists and extremists, are fighting to save that semblance of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Pakistan and if they lose so will we lose the country itself. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani rightly said their defeat was not an option in this fight. If we lose here we lose the country itself.All parliamentary heads of political parties during the briefing held by Prime Minister expressed their support for the military operation. The political leadership also supported the military action during the All Parties’ Conference which was arranged recently. The same attitude has been manifested by all sections of society, including media and civil society. However, there have been some exceptions. While fighting is going on in Malakand there are banners displayed by Hizbe Tehrir, another banned organisation, in Islamabad. One of the banners say, “Democracy no, dictatorship no khilafat Yes”. Though religious parties mostly played second fiddle to all dictators but still it is good to reject dictatorship. However, Pakistan was created through a democratic process and it is present condition is because of failure to continue on democratic path. These banners were displayed about a week back in main intersections of the city and some of them are still there. One wonders how come the police and its intelligence wing as well as other intelligence agencies have not been able to detect banners displayed by a banned organisation and remove them. In ordinary cases CDA staff would come in and remove any unauthorised banner within no time but in this case the authority has failed to react despite passage a week. Lethargy by police and CDA apart one wonder how such organisations want to install khalifa sans a democratic election. It seems they are not aware of history of Muslim countries and governments. One would suggest to them to reread the history books to see that how khalifas and kings and sultans or by whatever name they were called, were installed and removed. An analysis of Muslim history would reveal that lack of an acceptable system of government change was one of the important reasons for decay of Muslim civilisation and colonisation of Muslim lands by the West. Banners by Jamaat-e-Islami calling for funds for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are calling upon the people to contribute funds for benefit of “victims” of Malakand operation. Who Jamaat thinks the transgressors are? army or the militants? Despite the intransigencies of militants and extremists the Jamaat leadership is still siding with them and does not appreciate the fact that activities of Taliban have forced the government to call in army to restore the writ of the state in the area. In last few days Jamaat has even resorted to public demonstrations against the operation. One expected Jamaat-e-Islami to change under more urbane leadership of Syed Munnawar Hassan see different issues beyond petty party interests but it seems Jamaat remains the same despite changes at the top.
Daily Post May 23, 2009
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