The New Nation - Internet Edition

Asif Haroon Raja

As a consequence to the military coming down heavily upon the militants from last July onwards and inflicting heavy casualties upon them, it has given heart to the otherwise reluctant locals to raise lashkars and help the army in ousting the miscreants and Taliban from respective agencies. So far 11 lashkars are operating in various tribal agencies and settled areas for self-protection. Emergence of lashkars is a welcome development provided it is on voluntary basis and not politically motivated. Notwithstanding the merits of lashkars, they are not the solution to the problem and could become double-edged in the long run. With the intensification of military operations, incidents of suicide attacks have also gained momentum.

In the ongoing operation in Swat and Bajaur for over four months, casualties of militants are being announced on daily basis. Notwithstanding the claims made, we will have to admit that all the regions that had been subdued have got reactivated with even greater vengeance. It cannot be denied that in the current bloody duels in which the army is making maximum use of tanks, artillery guns, choppers and jetfighters, lot of property is getting destroyed, innocent people getting killed resulting in more displacements and resentment among the tribals. Their frustration multiplies when they learn that the criminals, anti-state elements or foreign militants usually get away. It is only now that few RAW agents have been caught.

In the last 5 years about 12000 lives have been lost at the hands of terrorists. In spite of so much human and material losses, the majority is still convinced that ongoing anarchy and bloodshed is the handiwork of foreign powers to achieve their sinister objectives. They refuse to buy government's contention that the Taliban are the enemies of Pakistan. They feel that militancy could have been controlled long time back had there not been foreign hands involved and our so-called friends under the garb of friendship stabbing us in the back. They say that as long as the miscreants and foreign sponsored militants continue to receive funds and arms from outside sources and foreign agents reinforce them physically, fire of militancy will continue to burn with intensity. They ask that after having nabbed foreign agents, why the government is still befriending those who are destabilizing Pakistan.

Whereas the people are demanding unshackling of American over arching influence over Pakistan's affairs, our leaders are in no mood to oblige them. Rather, they have agreed to further increase their presence. US trainers are in Pakistan to train our commandos in Tarbela and Frontier Constabulary troops in Warsak. Reportedly a large piece of land near Tarbela has been sold to USA for constructing a military base. Although the news has been denied, the fact remains that Adm. Mike Mullen is on record having stated that a US base will be established at Tarbela to train Pak troops and to take part in operations in tribal areas. Earlier on, Condoleezza Rice had admitted that the US did have a plan to secure Pakistan's nuclear assets. It may be recalled that USA has already made several contingency plans how to secure our nuclear assets under various scenarios. Its military has conducted number of war games in this regard.

Zardari has paled Musharraf into insignificance the way he is going about appeasing USA and India at the cost of Pakistan's interests. While he is hurling one weird statement after another to please his mentors, his loyal ministers enjoying pleasures of power are going bonkers to defend his unpalatable acts and describing his black deeds as great successes. From September onwards the US drones have consistently attacked suspected targets in Waziristan including one ground operation by US marines in Angoor Adda. Our leaders remained mute to start with but after listening to barrage of taunts, they picked up some courage to protest half-heartedly. Failing to restrain drone attacks despite assurances from Bush and Adm. Mullen, Zardari stated in Washington that these incursions were being made with due permission of Pakistan. Washington Post revealed that Zardari had assured Pentagon that his government would only launch mild protests for the consumption of public and nothing more.

To please his mentors in USA during his last visit in September, he said that he will suck the oxygen out of the militants and declared that Pakistan is at war. On ground there was neither any change in the lifestyle of our rulers nor any steps taken to show to the people that we are living under abnormal conditions. They continue to indulge in all sorts of pleasures of life as in peacetime.

While the whole country has begun to sink under the weight of fast dwindling economy, uncertain political situation, lawlessness, bleak security situation because of which the country has reached the brink of default, our leaders are least worried and are taking things lightly. There is no sense of urgency or anxiety as to how the multiplying problems will be tackled. Ten months have lapsed and so far not a single worthwhile initiative has been taken to alleviate the sufferings of the people. Even now when India has created war hysteria and is making all sorts of threats, our leaders refuse to abandon the policy of appeasement or to become serious.

American and Indian centric policies together with rampant corruption, pomp and show, vulgarity and obscenity, and anti-Islam policies have led to heightening of militancy and suicide attacks. While our rulers joined by elites are working hard to convince all and sundry that the ongoing war is not American but our own war and must be collectively fought to save the country, the ones who have given this theme to sing are talking of dialogue and peace in Afghanistan. Hamid Karzai is repeatedly extending olive branch to Mullah Omar to return to country and assured him guaranteed security.

British Brig Mark Carleton Smith in Afghanistan conceded to London Sunday Times that it is not possible to win the war against Taliban and that without political settlement with them insurgency could not be ended. He opined that insurgency can be controlled but cannot be defeated and that victory against the Taliban is wishful thinking. UN special Envoy Kai Eide said that Afghan war cannot be won militarily and success is possible only through political means, including dialogue with militants. Others from western capitals have shared their feelings reiterating that war in Afghanistan is un-winnable. Saudi Arabia is trying hard to broker peace talks to end bloody conflict. Mullah Omar has now expressed his willingness to share power subject to announcement of foreign troops withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Despite consensus resolution passed by the parliament on how to confront various challenges meaningfully our out of sync leaders took no action on the resolution. Policy of use of force against the militants is continuing in spite of the fact that friends and foes have been clearly identified in the ongoing tension with India in the wake of Mumbai attacks. India encouraged by its partners is in full mood to carry out surgical strikes against targets inside Pakistan to compliment drone attacks from western side. Despite India, USA and UK having removed mask of friendship and adopted a bellicose posture against Pakistan and the militants pledging to fight the Indians alongside Pak army, our leaders are still calling the former as friends and the latter enemies. When the militants decided to disrupt Nato road supply to force USA to stop drone attacks against innocent citizens of Waziristan, another operation has been launched in Khyber Agency to ensure continuation of road supply. Either our rulers are party to the sinister game or are out of sync.

(The writer is a defence and political analyst. Email: ah.raja @yahoo.com)