Guns fall silent in South Waziristan

[Al Bhatti]

By Faryal Leghari, Deputy Editor, Opinion

March 2, 2013

Deradicalisation & Reintegration Centre locations

Sararogha-South Waziristan. South Waziristan is the southern most agency of the seven that constitute Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan.

Relief camp, 8km from Sararogha en route to Shabozai military base.

Snow at a UAE-funded project in Pakistan.

Guns fall silent in South Waziristan

Years of neglect have given the Taliban scope to make inroads

The first thing that strikes when you are driving into South Waziristan is the contradiction between the prevalent peace and the rugged tribal environment.

Long considered an illaqa ghair (an area outside the jurisdiction of law and authority), South Waziristan has come a long way.

For one, until 2009 when the Pakistan Army launched a military operation by the name of Rahe-Nijat, this was a no-go area under the virtual control of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) headed by Baitullah Mehsud at the time, who was killed by a drone strike in August the same year.

The intensive military operation of 40,000 troops against the TTP has left its mark. But today, there is peace and stability to an extent that one feels safer here than in the larger metropolises.

South Waziristan is the southern most agency of the seven that constitute Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan. While its sister agency, North Waziristan is yet to face a military operation, what is important to bear in mind is that a similar environment existed here only a few years back.

The biggest surprise in itself is that the Mehsud area is weapons-free (the Mehsud tribe constitutes 63 per cent of the population dominating the northern parts of the agency.) This is a ground reality that speaks volumes for the complete turnaround South Waziristan has witnessed.

None of the Mehsud tribesmen one encountered in the villages carried any weapons.
The biggest success no doubt was in persuading these proud tribesmen to give up their arms, that figured prominently in their culture as a symbol of influence and pride, not to forget self-defence.

Any initial resistance or hesitance has now been overtaken by the incentives in terms of monetary compensation and security guarantees the military has provided.

While regular check posts and a military presence are a constant reminder of the violent conflict the area witnessed, these are essential. On an exclusive visit to a mountainous military base near Shabozai village, approximately 12km from Sararogha, at a height of 1,828 metres (6,000 feet) one is able to comprehend the challenge faced by the security forces to keep the insurgents at bay in this extremely difficult terrain.

The same terrain stretches into North Waziristan and towards the Afghan border, getting more difficult to traverse as it gains height. Ground intelligence is an important component of maintaining security here and it is something the security forces have cultivated with good effect.

As Brigadier Hayat of the 40th Division, commanding Sararogha and adjacent area puts it: “If the army had not stepped in when it did things would have been far worse…10 or 20 years on, this area would have spoken for something else, maybe an autonomous region.”

Looking at the success in South Waziristan, one question that comes to mind is why has North Waziristan so far been left on the back-burner.

It is allegedly hosting many TTP remnants and affiliated groups as well as foreign militants of Afghan, Central Asian and Arab origin. Significantly, it is deemed pivotal to the war in Afghanistan because of linkages with the Afghan insurgency.

Pakistan has been under tremendous pressure to wage an operation in North Waziristan. A lot of preparation is needed to create a conducive environment and ensure logistical and strategic support. When that happens is a question that the next political government can answer after elections in May.

The lessons from the success of clearing South Waziristan however must not be wasted. The Taliban was able to garner support because the region had remained neglected over decades.

The frustration and anger with the political administration and lack of resources and facilities may have proved cataclysmic in the end.

It is hoped that this serves as a reminder in the long term. For now the call for rebuilding ‘Waziristan better than before’ seems to have resonated well across this magnificent landscape whose legendary resistance has finally been tamed with the respect it deserves.

Guns fall silent in South Waziristan | GulfNews.com

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March 2, 2013

Rebuilt South Waziristan villages have full facilities

Focus of Mehsuds is now on schools and improving livelihood

In the aftermath of the operation against the Taliban, the government faced the mammoth task of rebuilding the destroyed villages and rehabilitating the displaced people.

Hundreds of homes and infrastructure including bridges and roads had been destroyed. Moreover, the conflict had led to the displacement of about 300,000 Mehsuds.

The phase-wise return of the displaced started in December 2010 and almost 50,000 have returned. What has helped is the commitment and hard work that has boosted the rehabilitation efforts.

It has been pivotal to winning over the people whose negative sentiments because of the damages incurred in the operation have now largely been reversed.

While some tribesmen have complained of a delay in getting compensation for destroyed homes and shops from the political administration, there are many who are happily embracing a new life with amenities that were not available before.

Driving around the towns and villages it is obvious the army’s involvement in rehabilitation work and development projects has been a key factor in the rehabilitation process.

The procedure being followed is that each and every village is first cleared of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and then rebuilt with full facilities such as electricity, new markets, schools and playgrounds to welcome home the displaced.

The tremendous amount of work that has gone into improving existing roads, rebuilding brides and tunnels has shortened travel time and given a boost to traders.

Development projects that include the electrification of villages, the building of water supply schemes, new schools, hospitals, mobile health units, a cadet college, community centres, markets, rehabilitation of agricultural land are already on the ground with the dividends coming in.

The biggest achievement is the locals are cognisant of the benefits of the development work and have reciprocated their support to the joint efforts of the political administration working in conjunction with the military in implementing these projects.

In addition, by giving up weapons the tribesmen are now focusing their attention on education and means of improving their livelihood.

Discussions with officials revealed education and livelihood schemes are the two key sectors that will help the older and younger generations to move forward and consequently counter the rise of militancy.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/paki...istan-villages-have-full-facilities-1.1153099

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March 2, 2013


Peace in South Waziristan

Gulf News rides along with the Pakistan Army as they visit an outpost near the Afghanistan border in South Waziristan and showcase how the military is helping to rebuild the region.

Video http://gulfnews.com/gntv/news/peace-in-south-waziristan-1.1153166

 

[Al Bhatti]

March 3, 2013

Government school children in Kotkai, South Waziristan

We should focus on the social sector, Major General Bajwa says

Pakistan: Fighting militancy with development

Infrastructure, development and education are bringing a silent economic revolution to South Waziristan

On a recent visit to Pakistan, Gulf News held an exclusive interview with the Director-General Inter Services Public Relations, Major General Asim Salim Bajwa.

The rehabilitation work in South Waziristan following military operations in 2009, the overall security situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the military’s future plans of an operation in North Waziristan were discussed.

Major General Bajwa also gave his views on the Pakistani Taliban’s latest offer for talks and on the strategy to tackle sectarian violence in the country. His Q&A with Gulf News:

Gulf News: In South Waziristan the villages are being rehabilitated phase by phase and the villagers are gradually being allowed to return? When will all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) be able to return?

Major General Bajwa: There were about 41,000 or 42,000 families, which were displaced as a result of terrorism and consequent operations in South Waziristan. The military operation was conceived in four phases and the military strategy was part of the four-phased strategy: ‘Clear’ and ‘Hold’ were the two phases that were to be done by the army. And then there were the other two phases, ‘Rebuild’ and ‘ Transfer’ done by the civilian administration and political government.

As you will have seen the work is now in the third phase but you will have seen the army is still involved because of a lack of capacity that indicates a joint effort towards rehabilitating the entire area.

We still have a large number of IDPs who have not returned. About 50,000 have returned. We can safely say about one fourth of IDPs are back. This year alone 15,000 more families are going back. When we started this in December 2010 we had two options. The first was to take everyone back as we did in Swat or else as a second option, a deliberate, gradual incremental approach but yet sure-footed, so we adopted the latter option.

We surveyed the area, carried out our assessments and then we started this concept of model villages, which was almost rebuilding the areas from scratch. You will have seen the community’s needs are being met through social development, both health and education and then there are the livelihood opportunities, that are coming up. There are some model schools; there is a cadet college.

This area has been devoid of any cadet colleges since 1947; one of the locals’ greatest demands was that they should have a cadet college. So now we have not one but two cadet colleges built in South Waziristan.

There are some areas that still have to be rehabilitated. We are bringing in all the social needs of people for which surveys and assessments have been done. There is an integrated team with the FATA secretariat doing its part but with security being led by the military.

All stakeholders, including donors, are rebuilding the area. But I would like to point out here that one critical development aspect on which we peg the entire rehabilitation project is this road, which passes through South Waziristan. I can tell you now this will bring a silent economic revolution in the area.

The concept is that already there are two strategic corridors from Pakistan to Afghanistan. One through Torkham towards Jalalabad and Kabul and the other through Chaman. This will be the third trade corridor, which will pass through South Waziristan and North Waziristan.

These will then link up with Ring Road in Afghanistan. I think this is a great thing for the people of the area. They will get the ultimate dividends on this side and it will also enhance the trade between the two countries.

What has the UAE contributed in terms of development projects in the affected areas?

There is a group called the UPAP, a UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme, that is regulating the entire funds and overseeing construction. So they are working with the Frontier Works Organisation and the Engineering Corps division, they are working with the military. What is happening is that there are projects that are identified after a survey has been carried out.

We are very grateful to the UAE. Not only is the UAE contributing to the roads but also other social and community projects. There are hospitals, schools and other projects, which the UAE is funding. I know they are also funding one cadet college. There are a number of water supply schemes they are contributing towards. They are sharing the cost and are part of a monitoring system and overwatch system as well.

With the unstable situation in Afghanistan, is not the opening of a third trade corridor with Pakistan — especially one passing through vulnerable areas such as South Waziristan a security threat?

We are not looking at today, at the short term. We are looking at the long term. One way is to wait for absolute peace and stability to come and then start the projects. The other is to build projects to drive peace and stability in this area. So we have gone for the latter.

As the locals are now becoming convinced on their stakes in the projects, their economic stakes, so they are now willing to provide security for these roads. I know with every day passing and, as they see dividends coming, these roads are being used by traders, they will see a lot of economy coming in the area as a spin-off from these roads.

One surprising thing is that South Waziristan is now a weapon-free zone and tribesmen have agreed to give up their arms. How was this made possible?

Since the military is deployed and we are providing security, so, as we are opening all the new areas we are asking them not to carry weapons. They have agreed to it themselves. There are a lot of things, which will surprise you, if you talk to the locals there, you will see their urge to educate children. So it’s good that the area is changing fast. Giving up weapons has proven beneficial to them.

You mentioned that the cadet college was a demand by the locals?

South Waziristan did not have any cadet colleges; there was one in North Waziristan. We saw in every meeting, in every Jirga [tribal assembly of elders] that they would come up with this demand.

Since 1947 they have been demanding a cadet college. So when the chief of army staff was visiting the area and I was commanding there at the time, they put up the demand to him in a Jirga, and he conceded to their demand. The funds were managed and the Cadet College was started in a record time of eight months. So this was how it started.

Would you like to tell us about your experience at the time of insurgency in South Waziristan when you were stationed there?

Militants had control of the area then and executed a kind of brutality on the locals and pushed them towards darkness and illiteracy. The people will narrate stories to you. There was an intense fight that took place when the military operation was decided, it was pushed from south to north, on every height a fight was given. Since they had so many weapons, there was a lot of destruction.

The area was finally cleansed; we sacrificed many soldiers and officers. If you go to CMH Pindi and visit the Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitative Medicine you will see our officers and men who have been maimed and have lost their limbs. We have paid a very heavy price but Alhamdulillah, ultimately we cleared the area and we are in the process of rebuilding. So if you speak to locals they never want them to return.

I may tell you here that if you carry out a survey of these terrorists who were from these tribal regions they are not even half a per cent. More than 99.5 per cent of people from the area are peace-loving and progressive tribal people who want to educate their children and want more livelihood opportunities. They want their area to develop, and for this I suggest when you go next, speak to the youth of this area. They have the same aspirations as other young boys everywhere else.

What are the top sectors that need the most focus and help from the international community?

I would say that maximum attention must be given to the social sector. We should focus on education, health and livelihood. I would say if we have to prioritise it should be livelihood and education. Because we also have to feed the current generation and the older generation and build the youth, where the future lies for that area. They have all the potential. We have seen those models working so we must educate future generations. These boys can do as well as any boys anywhere in the world.

Do you feel there is an emergence of a positive trend regarding girls’ education in the area?

It is a very heartening thing because the locals decided among themselves and then the Jirgas started coming and saying that they want schools for girls. So we have started building more schools. So I would urge all our friends to invest more in education.

Pakistan has been pressured a lot to launch an operation against insurgents in North Waziristan. Is this imminent?

Pakistan has been pressured a lot, and it has not taken any pressure or dictation to launch an operation in North Waziristan. Pakistan’s stance always was that we would carry out the operation when it suits us. So we will take our own decision in our own interests.

Therefore, a comprehensive plan was worked out. We started from Swat, which is a model operation and is being studied across the world. It is a success model, which we decided to replicate in other agencies. It was very logical to start from the North in areas adjacent to Swat.

So then came Bajaur, then parts of Khyber were cleared. Then it was realised that when you move to Khyber there are some inaccessible areas, then the Kurram and Orakzai operations were carried out.

The South Waziristan operation was carried out as well before these agencies. Currently, there is a fight going on in some pockets, which is Orakzai East and Khyber West, this is one pocket and the other remaining bigger pocket is North Waziristan. So it is very much part of the campaign plan. When it will happen is a political decision and also in the scheme of things.

The Swat operation received a lot of public support. Is this important for the success of a military operation?

The strength of military operations is rooted in public support. There is no doubt about that. That’s why it has to be a political decision as all major operations carried out in the past. With political decision comes population support. That’s why it will be decided at the political level and the military will carry out the operation.

When you are carrying out operations in border areas, do you have a coordination mechanism with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to prevent help from insurgents from the border?

Both sides carry out operations in respective areas, they continue to carry out their operations, we carry out ours. We want very much to do that. That is why we have cross-border cooperation. We do inform them that we are carrying out an operation in some areas adjacent to a border, depending on what they have, there are various responses in various cases.

Coordination is getting better, because of the exchange of liaison officers (LOs), there is improved coordination through a border control mechanism. That’s becoming more effective, there is an exchange of LOs on both sides and there are posts now that are being built on the border.

In view of the recent arrest of Maulvi Faqir Mohammad in Afghanistan, will he be handed over to Islamabad? Is there any strengthening of cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul?

This is something that has been going on for some time. We have been talking to each other at various levels, at foreign office level and at the military level. The effect will come when actually some people will be handed over to us. So far no one has been handed over, we have also heard reports of his arrest.

We are asking them to hand over people that are actually maintaining sanctuaries in Afghanistan. There are sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan province, and there are terrorists in those sanctuaries that are carrying out cross-border terrorist attacks, especially on the Dir side and also on the Bajaur side. Actually a few months back they intruded into a valley in Bajaur and were thrown out. They ran out of the valley and left behind a lot of dead bodies, we keep pursuing them.

Pakistan released some high-level Taliban and Kabul criticised the move?

It is important to understand the mechanism that was adopted. There were discussions between all stakeholders and this was on the recommendation of the Afghan government. It was decided with Pakistan’s Foreign Office who was to be released and how they were to be released. It was done after due diligence and discussion. However, if they did not go back to Kabul and the Afghan government has not been able to monitor them then Kabul should be posed this question.

While the government has been speaking out against drone strikes, the fact that these are being carried out does not speak well for its credibility. Is there any change in strategy to get the United States to give Pakistan drone technology or adopt a different counter-terrorism strategy?

The trust factor is first. I don’t know what else can Pakistan do to win somebody’s trust; we have been a coalition partner for so long. Pakistan has been a country that has suffered the most from terrorism and contributed the most towards fighting terrorism, so this is something that needs to be understood. Secondly our stand on drone strikes is known.

There is a joint resolution of parliament, which condemns drone strikes and raises the topic of sovereignty. This is exactly what everyone in Pakistan feels. The foreign office has been protesting this and has taken it up all the time. It has also called the US ambassador and lodged Pakistan’s protests.

Is there a more comprehensive strategy to counter and target sectarian militant outfits in the wake of the Quetta killings?

Baluchistan is a very complex case right now; there are separatists’ elements that are operating. Everyone has been fighting them out. I am talking about the political government that has been there for the past five years. Then there is the sectarian issue, which has come up and has intensified in the last few months.

There are some decisions that have been taken, these will be intelligence driven and Frontier Corps (FC) led operations which will be integrated involving the police and Reserve Police and Baluchistan Constabulary. They are all going in an integrated form after these terrorists. All intelligence agencies are supposed to complement these efforts.

One thing I want to raise here is that when we talk about intelligence, the best form of intelligence in an urban environment, especially here or in any country, is police intelligence. I feel there were some deficiencies in the police intelligence system but now there will be an integrated effort.

What is the military perspective on the Taliban’s offer for peace talks? Why has this offer come at this point? Is it because the TTP [Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan] are looking for an opportunity to regroup or is it because a North Waziristan operation is in the offing and they are trying to buy time?

I can only say that they have violated all previous deals. You are witnessing a government response, it is for the political government to decide whether and if they are carrying out a dialogue and to what end. We have been mandated to fight terrorism and we will continue to fight terrorism. When the political government asks our input we will give our input.

A big concern has been the recent India-Pakistan border tensions. What can be done to build confidence and avoid such incidents on the border which could lead to war, something both states, nuclear powers must be cognisant of?

The two militaries are deployed and sitting very close, eye to eye along the Line of Control. This recent incident was very sad. They tried to raid one of our posts; they intruded into our area and killed our soldiers.

This spiralled an outcry in Pakistan; the whole nation was galvanised and standing together behind the military. This is sad, and while we agree this should not happen but if there is such an enunciation of this kind they will get a fitting response.

There was a meeting at the local level and then at the GHQ level we had an exchange of telephone calls, a hotline between the director-generals of military operations. Then later the two Foreign Offices were in touch, there were exchanges at the diplomatic level and also political statements on both sides.

There was a ceasefire for so long and it stayed effective as well, now suddenly there was a violation from their side, their media really hyped up things. That was sad and if they do that then how can you control things? They will spin out of control.

I would like to highlight here that there is a need to resolve core issues, the same reason why the two militaries are sitting there. There is progress in trade; people-to-people contact, but until core issues are resolved these things will keep happening.

Pakistan: Fighting militancy with development | GulfNews.com

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March 4, 2013

Former members of the Taliban at the Naway Sahar (New Dawn) rehabilitation centre.

Boys at Sabaoon, the juvenile deradicalisation and reintegration centre in Swat.

Handicrafts and other products which have been made by ex-Taliban in the deradicalisation and reintegration centre Naway Sahar (New Dawn) at Khar, in Bajaur in Fata.

A carpentry class at the deradicalisation centre in Tank.

Ex-Taliban deradicalisation exercise involved growing trees and flower plants at the centre in Tank.

Pakistan: The warming touch of Sabaoon

Deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration efforts in Pakistan

Malakand: When one compares the situation in Swat and many parts of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) today to a few years ago there is a remarkable difference. And this is not just in terms of security.

Development work has made inroads along with an improvement in security. But more important are the efforts at deradicalisation being made in the area. Following the screening of individuals affiliated with terrorists and the start of counselling, comes the stage of rehabilitation and then reintegration. Despite the initiative being in a nascent stage, it has already made a significant mark not just in Pakistan but also abroad.

Nestled in a beautiful green valley near Malakand, Sabaoon (which means a leading sunray at dawn) is the only juvenile deradicalisation centre in Pakistan. Not only are hard-core juvenile soldiers and suicide bombing trainees being helped here, but also other youngsters from 12-18 years of age who are classified either middle risk or low risk in accordance with their past activities and training with terrorists.

Gulf News was able to interact with the young boys who were studying at Sabaoon at the time of the visit. Smartly dressed in green blazers and grey trousers, pleasant to talk to and visibly involved in their respective studies, whether it was a chemistry lesson or computer studies, these boys gave no inkling of any dark links with the past.

The best thing about Sabaoon is that these boys are being given a second chance to live normal lives and in fact better than many boys of their background would ever get. Although the Pakistan Army, whose officers are still in charge of its security initially set up Sabaoon, a team of highly dedicated and courageous civilians is now running it. Such is the threat Sabaoon poses to the terrorists, that one of its highly respected lecturers, Dr Mohammad Farooq Khan who was also the Vice-Chancellor at Swat University, was killed in Mardan in 2010 because of his involvement in the project. One can completely understand why the administrators are wary of not revealing the identity of the students or teachers.

The boys in Sabaoon not only get a chance and full encouragement to go to other top educational institutions in the country as well as cadet colleges, they are also financially supported with regular stipends.

Family interaction is highly encouraged with weekly visits on the premises and regular monitoring after successful passing out of Sabaoon. Having started off in 2009 with 22 children Sabaoon got a successful kick-start and has now helped reintegrate 149 children in five batches.

Poor families

In the present batch we visited there were 39 children. Not surprisingly 60 per cent of these children are from poor families. But it was heartening to see them get the best academic and sports facilities here. No wonder that these students are competing with boys from other schools in Pakistan and doing extremely well. Besides academic studies they are also provided vocational training in a number of skills to enable them to gain useful employment or start their own businesses after completion of studies. Regular art workshops and classes are held, which provide them with a useful means of expressing suppressed feelings and overcome misplaced conceptions about pictures and artwork as something un-Islamic. Some of the boys we met talked about their fondness for cricket and their desire to pursue further studies and become doctors and engineers.

Other deradicalisation centre in Bajaur, nearby Mingora (Swat) and Tank in Dera Ismail Khan are doing an equally commendable job. Aimed at adults, these centres are involved in the deradicalisation and reintegration of Taliban affiliates who were not hardcore fighters but were classified as helpers, falling in the third tier. The Mishal centre in Mingora is being run by the army but includes civilians, psychologists, lecturers and vocational teachers. Similarly Naway Sahar (New Morning) in Bajaur and another in Tank are also run on similar lines with an emphasis on deconstructing past extremist ideas about religion and anti-state sentiments along with teaching skills.

Listening to the briefings detailing the whole process of deradicalisation and reintegration, one is struck by the various aspects that have to be taken in account vis-à-vis psychological profiling, assessment, reversal of extremist indoctrination by means of lectures, psychological counselling, knowledge enhancement, training in personal grooming, ethics and vocational training.

The individuals are trained to gain back a sense of self-worth and respect and value life. An interesting exercise to inculcate responsibility is by tasking every individual with the care of a rose bush or tree. Other means such as debates, lectures and audio-visual aids are also employed. Posters of national heroes and of other places in the country have been put up to remind them of their history, culture and also as a means of exposing them to a world outside their narrow circumference. Large boards with Quranic verses and Hadith that denounce killing of humans and violence dominate the halls and classrooms. These are important in helping remove extremist teachings.

Each centre is doing its bit. The process itself is based on the integrated efforts by a number of trained personnel from the civilian side as well as the military. Moreover, the monitoring during the process and then post-reintegration requires considerable security input. As far as the cost of housing, training and then providing for these individuals is concerned after reintegration this is currently being borne by the military and the FATA secretariat as well as some NGOs.

The success achieved so far is likely to help develop the existing centres and set up new ones. But more than figures is the hope this initiative has triggered off. Hopefully each Sabaoon or Mishal individual will spread the light in his small circle and help deter the spread of hatred and extremism in his community.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/pakistan-the-warming-touch-of-sabaoon-1.1153695

 

[muse]

It's interesting that Ms Leghari claims SWA pacified and yet the one picture in which the army is present is of a relief camp - Ms. Leghari claims that SWA is now safer than cities like Karachi, this would leave karachities wondering if becoming insurgents will also provide them with safety and security -- The other interesting question Ms. Leghari raises isthe question of an operation in NWA and why after 11 years, "preparation" for the operation seem not to be complete - and exactly what are lessons from SWA?

 

[Al Bhatti]

March 4, 2013

Boys in Bajaur who have been successfully reintegrated being interviewed by Gulf News.


Juvenile centre in Swat a success story

Best predictor of success is a supportive family, psychologist says

In order to gain an insight into the difficulties involved in the process of deradicalisation Gulf News held an exclusive interview with Dr Feriha Peracha who is the supervising psychologist at Sabaoon, the only de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration centre for juveniles in Swat, Pakistan.

Q1: How long have you been involved in rehabilitation efforts aimed at counselling and reintegrating the juveniles at Sabaoon?

A: It has now been almost three and a half years. It started in July 2009, after the successful counter-insurgency operation by the Pakistan Army. I was asked by General Nadeem Ahmad [responsible for reconstruction and disaster management at the time in Swat] if I wanted to profile the first 12 children/adolescents who had been apprehended. I said yes and travelled to Mingora with my colleague…there was no going back after that. Soon after that in August Sabaoon was inaugurated by General [Ashfaq Pervez] Kiyani [army chief] and I started working there. I had not before been involved with any deradicalisation, but soon learnt that the profile of these students did not differ much from that of youth at Risk for Violence. And I had worked with such a group before.

Q2: What is the main reason that contributes towards the radicalisation of these youngsters who are either trained as fighters or suicide bombers besides coercion in your experience?

A: If radicalisation can be encompassed in phrases like “It is written in the Quran that you are compelled to jihad against the Pakistan Army and the Americans, because they are infidels” then yes that is what they were told. Most come from very low socio-economic strata, most were school dropouts, teenagers without a dream or a hope for a future. They were promised heaven and the lure of 72 hoors [virgins]. Yes, some were intelligent and had joined because they were so inclined, these comprise less then 20 per cent.

Q3: People often cite poverty, lack of education and resources as well as the role of (some) madrassas as the main reasons for proliferation of militancy. But there have been cases which stand in contradiction. It would be helpful to have your insight on this.

A: Surely yes. Mothers do not send all their children to madrassas, only those who cannot cope with the academic demands or the ones with behavioural issues and the ones who are not in the mainstream. Is it surprising then that most of these happen to be middle children in sib-ships [number of siblings] of 5 to 25?

Q4: Is it easier to deradicalise younger boys than their older peers?

A: Yes, relatively so.

Q5: In your experience, do their families play a significant role in normalising the lives of these children? Do they also receive any counselling on how to deal with them once they leave?

A: Yes they do. In fact, the best predictor of success is a supportive family who come on Sundays and receive religious education and/or counselling.

Q6: Have you ever encountered comprehension and fear in boys who were trained to be suicide bombers? There is a general perception that often some children are not even aware they are on a suicidal mission.

A: Oh yes. Young boys who were caught just before they blew themselves up still suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The essential features of PTSD is the development of characteristic symptoms following exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor involving direct personal experience of an event that causes death , injury or threat to personal integrity. The person’s response involves intense fear, helplessness or horror. They sometimes need psychiatric intervention besides therapy.

Q7: Do you feel that anti-US sentiments fuelled by drone strikes in other parts of the country have also spurred militancy among these youngsters?

A: Yes to some extent anti-American sentiment is fuelled by these news reports.

Q8: How would you rate Sabaoon’s efforts and do you feel this is something that should be replicated in other parts of the country as well?

A: I do feel that we learnt as we moved along. We accommodated any or all variables that we felt would help the process of disengagement and deradicalisation. Recently Prof John Horgan [Director of the International Centre for the Study of Terrorism at The Pennsylvania State University] visited Sabaoon and in his opinion it was perhaps the most progressive programme as we are following the students’ post-reintegration indefinitely or until we are reassured that recidivism is not a concern. There has been no recidivism. This is not to say there have been no concerns. We sometimes get reports from the social workers from the Monitoring Cell about some vulnerability due to situational or familial factors and have brought back 12 students to Sabaoon.

Q8: Is there any other aspect you would like to focus on in terms of de-radicalising society and what we all can do to help?

A: Much needs to be done. “The war of words” has not yet taken over to counter the ideology that the terrorists have propagated. We need to take over all the secondary schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP] and provide the intervention for religious education, we need to work with mothers, encourage a planned family, and children should not be “dispensable”. We should help chart the course of these adolescents towards achievement. Our students have shown incredible success in their academic achievement and are at the top of the institutions they are attending…why? They do not have to be concerned about the expense of their education. Our promise to them? “You can do whatever you like on merit and we will support you!” This is the function of the State.

However there are no jobs in Swat. So our graduates became disillusioned. We have now set up a vocational skill centre elsewhere where there are jobs and our boys are training to become scouts to look for jobs for their peers!

Swat at the least should become a tax haven or also be given trade benefits and concessions so industrialists open factories and create jobs in Swat…. why not? It happened with Bangladesh. I just feel strongly that if the “powers that be” really wanted to help Pakistan (and not just give donations) then why are there no export benefits like tariff concession etc as have been given to Bangladesh.

There is so much that civil society can do and are doing…we just need the structure within which the expectations of human rights are not denied…education, health, jobs, security. Who then would want to die? Children grow up without an authority figure and women are mostly illiterate, although true they were empowered by Fazlullah [who led the Taliban in Swat] to “ensure heaven for their families..” they were given a role...If we had concessions for Swat and KP, believe me most businesses and industries would flourish there and opportunities would open up for jobs.

We pay for each and every cost for the students at Sabaoon and those reintegrated. The security is provided by the army and for that I am not only grateful, I would not have done this without this provision.

But there is a need for intervention programmes and community engagement at and through the secondary schools in the most vulnerable areas of Swat. Any donations that come to Sabaoon could help these boys build a better future for themselves. These would also enable other children.

Juvenile centre in Swat a success story | GulfNews.com

 

[Al Bhatti]

March 5, 2013

Ex-Taliban militants and child soldiers speak out

Gulf News visits Pakistan’s deradicalization and rehabilitation centers and speaks to former Taliban militants and child soldiers about their experiences.

Video: Ex-Taliban militants and child soldiers speak out | GulfNews.com

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March 5, 2013

The UAE was the first country to respond in the wake of a devastating flood that hit Pakistan in 2010, helping to rebuild infrastructure such as this hospital.

Before: The Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Road (Wana-Angoor Ada), South Waziristan.

After: The Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Road (Wana-Angoor Ada), South Waziristan.

UAE, Pakistan's true friend in time of need

Assistance programme focuses attention on vital sectors to alleviate hardship in crisis-affected areas and empower local communities

Pakistan shares a deep historic bond with the United Arab Emirates that has only strengthened with time. The close ties between the two have been especially reinforced in crises, with the UAE having gone beyond bilateral norms to extend help, whether it was for relief work or rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts, following a natural disaster or conflict.

This has generated tremendous amount of goodwill among the people of the affected areas, who are the biggest beneficiaries. Travelling by road in Swat, and the tribal agencies of Bajaur and South Waziristan, one can see the UAE-Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE-PAP) boards proudly proclaiming some development scheme or the other. Many of these projects are now functional and have proved highly successful in meeting critical needs of the people in those areas.

In the wake of a devastating flood that hit Pakistan in 2010, many parts of the country suffered extensive damage. The northern mountainous area of Swat had at the time just rebounded after a military operation conducted by the Pakistan army against the Swati Taliban headed by Mullah Fazlullah. The flood wreaked further damage. Unable to cope with the devastation the Pakistan government faced a predicament that could only be solved with outside help.

The first to respond to Pakistan’s call for help was no other than the UAE. On the directive of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an initiative was launched in January 2011 to help the country rebuild.

The UAE-PAP has not only been meeting the need to rebuild and develop critical infrastructure needs of flood- and conflict-affected Swat, it has also focused attention to vital sectors of education, health and water supply schemes. Moreover, this comprehensive programme is also targeting other under-developed areas of the Federally Administered Tribal areas (Fata) bordering Afghanistan.

The significance of this development goes beyond the immediate. These areas have been more or less widely neglected because of lack of resources and other factors. At times when funds were even set aside there was little implementation on ground because of the apathy of the political administration and lack of political will to address the needs of this area. As a result, the lack of development and resources in Fata proved a breeding ground for extremism and then militancy.

Fortunately, an opportunity born out of the post-military operations was utilised to counter the hold of the Taliban and other anti-state groups. This is why the UAE assistance to develop these areas has vital long term implications.

An additional advantage is the high esteem Pakistanis have for the UAE. As a result, any project bearing the UAE flag alongside Pakistan’s is doubly appreciated by the people as was witnessed by Gulf News while visiting the area.

Working in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, the UAE-PAP has successfully completed many critical infrastructure and water supply projects. Besides, several educational institutes and hospitals have already been constructed and many more are in the pipeline.

In Swat, the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Bridge at Barikot was inaugurated in May last year. This class 70 bridge constructed at the cost of $10.99 million (Dh40.3 million) is first of its kind in Pakistan.

Another bridge, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge at Shamozai in Swat which is expected to benefit a million people is also near completion.

The UAE-PAP has also funded the construction of a vital road linking Wana with Angoor Ada in South Waziristan. The 50km, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan road is part of the third trade corridor between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which will eventually connect with the Ring Road in Afghanistan.

It is expected to boost trade and help local economy on both sides of the border. The other road the UAE is funding is currently under construction in North Waziristan. Spanning 73 km, it will link Miranshah, Razmak and Makeen. This will eventually link with Ghulam Khan on the Afghan border and provide a conduit to travel into South Waziristan.

The UAE has also been supporting education in a big way. Projects to upgrade and build new schools, vocational and technical training institutes and a cadet college have been successfully implemented.

In Bajaur, a Category A hospital wing has been constructed by the UAE-PAP. Expected to open this month, it will be a big help to the people of the agency that currently depend on the Khar Head Quarter Hospital that has limited capacity.

M Khan, the superintendent at Khar hospital, told Gulf News, “The UAE government has helped in expanding the hospital to type A hospital. With this, the hospital will have a bed strength of a 1,000 beds. The building has already been completed with a nephrology unit, paediatric surgery, neuro surgery and skin units. This was constructed by the army engineering corps and with help of UAE funding. In March, the hospital equipment will arrive and it will then be functional. This teaching hospital will also be a nursing school; it will open way for girls to come into this field. In our tribal set-up, sending girls to hospitals is not liked but when a facility is available at their doorstep the people will send their daughters to learn nursing.”

Besides the hospital, the UAE has also constructed and funded a technology college in Khar, Bajaur, that is aimed at boosting vocational and technical training for the people of this area.

In South Waziristan, the UAE is also planning to build a hospital and a cadet college. Currently, the cadet college Spinkai is being housed on the premises of Waziristan Technical College in Chagmalai but will be moved to the new building once construction is complete.

The UAE has already provided the funds for this cadet college which is to be built on land donated by the local Mehsud tribesmen. This cadet college has received children of local tribesmen as well as from all over Pakistan. The idea is to promote greater interaction and remove misconceptions thus alleviating animosities.

While the immediate impact of this resurgence in development work is of course realised, view of a long-term impact of these projects is invaluable.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/uae-pakistan-s-true-friend-in-time-of-need-1.1154155

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March 5, 2013

The UAE-funded girls’ degree college in Barikot, Swat.

UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme key projects

UAE focuses on health, water, infrastructure

Education

UAE PAP (The United Arab Emirates Pakistan Assistance Programme) started building 52 educational institutes in Swat, KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Waziristan in 2011; within a year it had handed over 40 schools fully furnished with science and computer labs. The institutes include primary, high schools and degree colleges as well as vocational training institutes. Far exceeding local standards of education, all rehabilitated schools are state-of-the-art, and the first of their kind in Swat.

Fully equipped computer labs have been provided not only in high schools but primary schools as well. The government of the UAE strongly feels that education is the birthright of every human being, regardless of race or gender, and it is the best solution for the people of KPK to become self-reliant and contribute to their own progress.

Health

UAE PAP is building and rehabilitating seven hospitals, clinics and medical institutes, fitted with up-to-date medical equipment, to provide healthcare in flood affected areas. This is imperative because health care facilities have been obliterated due to the massive flooding and disease and epidemics are rampant all over the valley. The reconstruction of these hospitals will accelerate the resumption of medical services to the local population who are in dire need of health care professionals, and help them recover physically from the trauma and shock of the calamity.

Water

The UAE PAP has built 64 water treatment and purification plants throughout KPK to bring safe drinking water to people’s doorsteps. Whereas they had to travel to different locations to collect their water, the people of Swat now have the luxury of being able to turn on the tap in the comfort of their own homes.

Infrastructure

Keeping in mind the fact that the livelihood of the majority of the citizens of Swat is dependent on agriculture and access to markets where they can sell their merchandise, the UAE PAP immediately started work on two main bridges that collapsed during the floods, in order to ensure a healthy recovery for the local economy. Ensuring freedom of movement and medical access to a multitude of people who have been isolated for almost two years, these bridges are expected to revitalise motorised transport all over Swat.

Bridges

Two bridges destroyed by the flood over the River Swat were part of the infrastructure development. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Bridge; formerly known as Gammon Bridge, is the longest delta bridge in the world, which was completed in 2012. Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge; formerly known as Shamozai Bridge is an RCC bridge which is set to be completed this year — it’s a mega structure built for heavy and light transportation. The construction of these bridges is being carried out by Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) of Pakistan.

Roads

A 50-kilometre road has been constructed in South Waziristan to serve as a key trade route for the local population, situated in a remote region of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas.) Occupied by the volatile Wazir and Mehsud tribes, the UAE PAP, together with the Pakistan Army, has taken the first steps to lay out the groundwork of infrastructure in the inhospitable terrain and give the people of South Waziristan a glimmer of hope towards the road to prosperity. The government of the UAE hopes that the road will be the first step on the ladder of progress for these formerly neglected local populations.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/uae-pakistan-assistance-programme-key-projects-1.1154153

 

[Al Bhatti]

March 5, 2013

UAE has a 'great passion and love' for Pakistan, says ambassador

HE Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi: $120m spent in various sectors shows rulers' 'unlimited generosity'

Gulf News had an exclusive interview with HE Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, to get his input on the development projects undertaken as part of the UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan.

The UAE has been actively assisting Pakistan, especially in areas that have been subjected to natural disaster and which were in the grips of militancy and conflict. Is your Excellency satisfied with the progress in implementation of the projects?

“Thanks to Allah Almighty, the activities and projects carried out by the UAE according to the esteemed instructions by the wise leadership of UAE represented by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in different and far flung cities in Pakistan are going in the right way based on total transparency and precision under the direct supervision of the wise leadership. The United Arab Emirates has been actively contributing in assisting Pakistan generously during the natural calamities such as 2005 earthquake and 2010 and 2011 floods. The wise vision of the United Arab Emirates and its special relationship with Pakistan resulted in pumping $120 million (Dh440 million) to re-construct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in education, health, water supply schemes and infrastructure including bridges and roads. The total volume of development projects in Pakistan by UAE reaches to 272 since 1971.

We ensure that the achievement of UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE-PAP) is translating the determination of its team and the coordination team of Pakistan army and all our brothers such as engineers, experts of construction, technical teams in the UAE Pakistan assistance programme and the civil administration in the provincial and federal governments.”

What is the total amount of development funds the UAE has given so far in terms of development assistance for Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Swat?

“As I have already stated, the total value of the programme is $120 million. Moreover, the history of UAE in providing humanitarian and development assistance in the Pakistani cities have achieved many in reducing the impact of tragedies among the population of those cities. No doubt, the unlimited generosity by the wise leadership of UAE and standing besides our Pakistani brothers is dated back to the deep roots between the two countries due to commonalities such as religion, tradition and the history although the foundation was laid down by the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. The UAE has great passion and love for the government and people of Pakistan and it has vowed for the continuation of the bilateral relationship for long term.”

This assistance has created further goodwill among the people for the UAE. What is your Excellency’s view on the importance of these projects in these areas in terms of their benefit to counter militancy and bring improvement in people’s lives?

“No doubt, the first beneficiary of these development and humanitarian programmes is the localities at those cities and villages who are directly affected by the floods. Moreover, those projects are considered a main factor in improving the lives of the people. And this is the main goal for constructing these projects in the floods affected areas or military operations which have affected, to a great instant, the infrastructure and other sectors.”

The UAE-PAP identifies projects in FATA and other settled areas and then obtains funds for their implementation. Is there a priority being given to some sectors such as education or health?

“The UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme is a main player in human and economic development in the provinces where the projects are being executed. This is a part of UAE Leadership’s continuity in helping the Pakistani nation. Yes, there is priority in for some projects and the utmost is education, health sectors which are the basics for any society in the world.”

What is your Excellency’s opinion about the sector (education, health, communication infrastructure, agriculture or water supply) that requires most attention in terms of prioritisation?

“The projects are according to the instructions by President, H.H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the UAE-PAP has signed the agreement on 10 December, 2010 in Islamabad after a survey of the floods affected areas. The work was started immediately and according to timeline plan and in the following sectors: Education, health, water, infrastructure, bridges and roads.

UAE has a 'great passion and love' for Pakistan, says ambassador | GulfNews.com

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March 6, 2013

The Kotkai widow outside her home.

Children in Bajaur hospital.

Newly built community markets in Sararogha.

Honey is now being produced with efficient honey bee hiving methods.

Water supply scheme in South Waziristan.

Football stitching is one of the successful projects that were started in South Waziristan.

Nurses Sara and Sana from Miranshah in North Waziristan and Lakki Marwat near Bannu.

South Waziristan: Turning dreams into reality

Livelihood projects and education in focus

Kotkai: There is an old widow in this village in South Waziristan who is quite a favourite with the army officers as she regales them with tales of Hakimullah Mehsud, who happened to be her neighbour at one time.

Preferring to live in the ruins of her devastated home, she uses a new home the army has given her as a shelter for her goats.

About 200 of these widow homes have been given to women who lost their husbands and families during insurgent operations.

Besides these, community markets boasting new shops have been made in all rehabilitated villages. Interested villagers can rent shops at nominal rates and are provided with a fund to start their businesses.

Driving over the Tank Zam River bridge, towards the government school in Kotkai, you pass the sign for the Kotkai football academy. Plans to link this with Fifa may sound unbelievable now but considering the craze for football here, it should not shock if that happens. It’s common to see scores of youngsters throng the pitch.

The process of rebuilding homes and villages may have been gradual but now, with peace dividends coming in, there is increased attention on sports.

Cricket is a passion with the Mehsuds — the Cricket League tournament hosted in Chagmalai in October last year had 38 teams participate.

Favourite pastimes

The biggest hurdle for the social alleviation team in South Waziristan, headed by Colonel Asim Iqbal, has been to get the men to work.

Apparently, the Mehsuds are notoriously lazy. A favourite pastime is to sit on the roads for hours and watch the world pass by while their women walk for miles to collect water and firewood.

To induce people to work and not depend on food and aid from donor agencies and the government, efforts have been made to introduce new livelihood schemes.
According to Col. Asim, a few poultry farms were built initially — and these have led to demand for many more — as well as introduction of organised livestock farming.

While pear and apple orchards are common in South Waziristan, innovative techniques such as tunnel farming and cultivation of olive trees, blackberries, pine nuts and flowers are also being introduced in the lower hills. Honey is now being produced with implementation of efficient bee-hiving techniques.

Unfortunately, the area’s vast potential of minerals had been left unexplored due to the security situation in the area. The area is rich in iron, chromite and emeralds.

Football stitching began as a experiment and has since done well. New industries making cutlery and surgical instruments have also been introduced to boost the local economy. Similarly, an embroidery centre for women has been set up.

A positive trend is the rising demand for more schools for girls — especially beyond primary level.

While a new Government Girls High School in Chagmalai has recently started, other women interviewed by Gulf News wanted more schools in their villages to enable them to complete their studies. These are typically terminated at primary level.

There’s also a lack of teachers with education being sub-standard education. The Spinkai Cadet College in South Waziristan, which is temporarily housed in a technical college in Chagmalai, is highly popular among the locals who are clamouring to have their sons study there. It’s the best in the region.

Well-spoken and fluent in English, these boys have been carefully groomed to enable them to adjust well in any of the country’s top educational institutes.
There is a critical lack of female health workers in Waziristan and Bajaur is the lack of female health workers, though female army doctors are often sent as part of mobile medical camps treating women and children.

There is an urgent need for a resident female gynaecologist and paediatrician. Two Frontier Corps nurses, Sana and Sara from North Waziristan, told Gulf News that many girls in the area want to be medics.

“Nursing is a noble profession, one helps other human beings,” said Sana, who lives away from her family in Miranshah but has their full support.

“We learnt a lot and we would like to advice others also to join. Even more girls are now coming into nursing.”

In view of the unstable security situation, things in Pakistan are far from ideal.

There may be loopholes and institutional corruption that cannot be eradicated in one go — but there is also a positive change. The bright smiling faces of the girls and boys running towards in Sararogha village attest to that.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/south-waziristan-turning-dreams-into-reality-1.1154618

 

[M.harris]

 

[Sugarcane]

Some good news - Thanks for sharing

 

[jnd3x0]

this is how terrorism is fought, learn USA! from pak army.

 

[darkinsky]

gomal zam dam underconstruction in south waziristan

 

[Marwat Khan Lodhi]

Its not that people of waziristan have given up on guns on request of Pak army. If you carry a gun then nearby fauji would simply shoot you without questions. So tribals of these areas are smart enough not to carry around guns for show off in the presence of army.
Its nice and pleasant to see faujis helping locals with relief camps in peaceful areas, but in turbulent and war zones like waziristan you have to better keep your distance from fauji jawans.

 

[Kompromat]

And then they ask, why almost 90% Pakistanis have "faith" in the Army !

 

[Armstrong]

@Hyperion is the above true ^^^ do the Faujis really shoot them ?

 

[Hyperion]

At the moment yes. In a very recent incident, they even shot at unarmed doctors in a hospital for looking after wounded. It's all getting way out of hand.

@Hyperion is the above true ^^^ do the Faujis really shoot them ?

 

[darkinsky]

the pathans should stop considering a gun as their jewellery and start making pen their jewellery