fatman17
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 32,563
- Reaction score
- 98
- Country
- Location
Is it our war?
Sadia Raza
Since 1979 Pakistan, being an important country as a gateway to Central, West and South Asia, has participated actively in the US-sponsored jihad against the Soviets and now the war against terrorism. Despite the fact that the jihad brought extremism and militancy in society, the war against terrorism is being fought against the products of jihad-e-Afghanistan. Now the million dollar question is that if this war, being fought against extremism and militancy by Pakistan, is in its own national interests or not? Before 1979, there were no extremism and militancy in Pakistani society other than some limited problems. These new issues have been brought to the region and Pakistan as a result of the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan.
The West has been responsible for breeding militancy and extremism in Pakistan by bring in thousands of mujahideen to fight the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and then leaving Pakistan alone a decade later to face the armed warriors. Despite the fact that there have been Islamist reformist movements working in Pakistan since 1947, Pakistani society was tolerant and moderate till 1979. It has been rightly said that whatever extremism is in Pakistan it is direct fallout of 27 years of warfare and militancy around us.
Suicide bombing is, nonetheless, a new phenomenon witnessed in Pakistan in recent times. It has caused a great loss of life. Several hundred innocent people and jawans of the Pakistan army, police and paramilitary forces have lost their lives in suicide bombings by the extremists and militants over the past few years. PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto also fell a victim to a terrorist attack while President Musharraf and former prime minister Shaukat Aziz survived attempts on their lives. In recent times, no other country seems to have suffered so much at the hands of terrorists and militants as Pakistan.
Today, Pakistans socio-economic and political stability is at stake because of extremism and militancy. Pakistan while enduring the problems of terrorism and militancy has born material as well as human losses. This menace is posing serious threats to our internal security situation. The tumult in Waziristan and Swat is an ample manifestation of the threat that these forces pose to Pakistan. The extremists and militants are not only trying to extend their influence in Pakistani tribal belt but also in settle areas too.
Many of these militants and extremists are foreigners who came to Afghanistan in the 1980s to wage their version of jihad against the Soviets. Even after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, these jihadis from Arab, Asian and African countries remained in Afghanistan and Pakistani tribal belt, marrying with the locals. After the US and coalition forces ousted the Taliban regime in late 2001, these foreigners sought refuge in the bordering tribal region between Pakistan and Afghanistan, extending the war on terror to Pakistan. Along with al Qaeda, these foreign extremists and militants and their allies in Pakistan have become perpetrators of violence and terror, while making the government as well as the people of Pakistan the prime targets.
Pakistan, that initially joined the war on terror as an ally, became a victim of terrorism. This situation led to military operations in Waziristan and Swat to confront the terrorists and militants who are not only challenging writ of the state but also creating chaos and instability in the region. No one can deny the negative repercussions of extremism and militancy on any state and society but there could be a difference of opinion on how to handle extremism and militancy. There is no denying the fact that Pakistan is fighting the war against terrorism for its own integrity and security. However, it is handling the menace of extremism and terrorism with full military might because of failure of some peace initiatives due to trust deficit.
There is a general perception that Pakistan is fighting someone elses war. This perception comes from the unilateralist approach adopted by the US and the way the Western media covers the war on terror. Time and again, there has been pressure from the US on Islamabad to do more without fully realising the limitations for Pakistan. According to Shuja Nawaz, a military analyst, there is always a little bit of resentment when the US acts unilaterally because this is supposed to be a partnership. The US at times has been giving the impression that counter terrorism is not a partnership based on understanding. Pakistan is cooperating with the US because of its own security compulsions and it can only cooperate with the US according to its own national interests.
Extremism and militancy can only be defeated through concrete efforts by adopting a multi-pronged strategy economic, political and military. Only the use of force cannot and has not been able to achieve success. Most importantly, the process of socio-economic development, aimed at benefiting the common man must be a priority. The political strategy should focus on separating and isolating the terrorists from the rest of the population and ensuring political participation of the underdeveloped areas, such as the tribal areas. When people see a positive change in their lives, they turn away from violence and go towards peace and reconciliation. Lastly, the military option should be used as a last resort to counter insurgency.
Despite the fact that our success will require continued support of the US as both the countries share a long-standing strategic partnership based on the commonality of interests, there is a serious need for re-evaluating counter-terrorism policies by increasing emphasis on dialogue and developmental works in the troubled areas. There have also been voices in the US government and academia of increasing support to Pakistan for enabling it to improve its role in tackling terrorism. For instance, Senator Joseph Biden, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, advocated for a democracy dividend by tripling of US assistance for socio-economic development during the next decade. Some of the US experts on South Asia have also urged the US government for bolstering economic aid as well as trade access for Pakistan to create goodwill among the general public.
Extremism and militancy is, of course, an issue that has created turmoil in the region and has directly and indirectly affected Pakistan. The internal threat is also posing a challenge to the integrity of the country. With pragmatic policies and progressive approach not only Pakistan would be better able to defeat extremism but also develop its potential to play a significant role by becoming an important economic hub. The moderate forces should join hands to defeat the extremism and terrorism.
Sadia Raza
Since 1979 Pakistan, being an important country as a gateway to Central, West and South Asia, has participated actively in the US-sponsored jihad against the Soviets and now the war against terrorism. Despite the fact that the jihad brought extremism and militancy in society, the war against terrorism is being fought against the products of jihad-e-Afghanistan. Now the million dollar question is that if this war, being fought against extremism and militancy by Pakistan, is in its own national interests or not? Before 1979, there were no extremism and militancy in Pakistani society other than some limited problems. These new issues have been brought to the region and Pakistan as a result of the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan.
The West has been responsible for breeding militancy and extremism in Pakistan by bring in thousands of mujahideen to fight the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and then leaving Pakistan alone a decade later to face the armed warriors. Despite the fact that there have been Islamist reformist movements working in Pakistan since 1947, Pakistani society was tolerant and moderate till 1979. It has been rightly said that whatever extremism is in Pakistan it is direct fallout of 27 years of warfare and militancy around us.
Suicide bombing is, nonetheless, a new phenomenon witnessed in Pakistan in recent times. It has caused a great loss of life. Several hundred innocent people and jawans of the Pakistan army, police and paramilitary forces have lost their lives in suicide bombings by the extremists and militants over the past few years. PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto also fell a victim to a terrorist attack while President Musharraf and former prime minister Shaukat Aziz survived attempts on their lives. In recent times, no other country seems to have suffered so much at the hands of terrorists and militants as Pakistan.
Today, Pakistans socio-economic and political stability is at stake because of extremism and militancy. Pakistan while enduring the problems of terrorism and militancy has born material as well as human losses. This menace is posing serious threats to our internal security situation. The tumult in Waziristan and Swat is an ample manifestation of the threat that these forces pose to Pakistan. The extremists and militants are not only trying to extend their influence in Pakistani tribal belt but also in settle areas too.
Many of these militants and extremists are foreigners who came to Afghanistan in the 1980s to wage their version of jihad against the Soviets. Even after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, these jihadis from Arab, Asian and African countries remained in Afghanistan and Pakistani tribal belt, marrying with the locals. After the US and coalition forces ousted the Taliban regime in late 2001, these foreigners sought refuge in the bordering tribal region between Pakistan and Afghanistan, extending the war on terror to Pakistan. Along with al Qaeda, these foreign extremists and militants and their allies in Pakistan have become perpetrators of violence and terror, while making the government as well as the people of Pakistan the prime targets.
Pakistan, that initially joined the war on terror as an ally, became a victim of terrorism. This situation led to military operations in Waziristan and Swat to confront the terrorists and militants who are not only challenging writ of the state but also creating chaos and instability in the region. No one can deny the negative repercussions of extremism and militancy on any state and society but there could be a difference of opinion on how to handle extremism and militancy. There is no denying the fact that Pakistan is fighting the war against terrorism for its own integrity and security. However, it is handling the menace of extremism and terrorism with full military might because of failure of some peace initiatives due to trust deficit.
There is a general perception that Pakistan is fighting someone elses war. This perception comes from the unilateralist approach adopted by the US and the way the Western media covers the war on terror. Time and again, there has been pressure from the US on Islamabad to do more without fully realising the limitations for Pakistan. According to Shuja Nawaz, a military analyst, there is always a little bit of resentment when the US acts unilaterally because this is supposed to be a partnership. The US at times has been giving the impression that counter terrorism is not a partnership based on understanding. Pakistan is cooperating with the US because of its own security compulsions and it can only cooperate with the US according to its own national interests.
Extremism and militancy can only be defeated through concrete efforts by adopting a multi-pronged strategy economic, political and military. Only the use of force cannot and has not been able to achieve success. Most importantly, the process of socio-economic development, aimed at benefiting the common man must be a priority. The political strategy should focus on separating and isolating the terrorists from the rest of the population and ensuring political participation of the underdeveloped areas, such as the tribal areas. When people see a positive change in their lives, they turn away from violence and go towards peace and reconciliation. Lastly, the military option should be used as a last resort to counter insurgency.
Despite the fact that our success will require continued support of the US as both the countries share a long-standing strategic partnership based on the commonality of interests, there is a serious need for re-evaluating counter-terrorism policies by increasing emphasis on dialogue and developmental works in the troubled areas. There have also been voices in the US government and academia of increasing support to Pakistan for enabling it to improve its role in tackling terrorism. For instance, Senator Joseph Biden, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, advocated for a democracy dividend by tripling of US assistance for socio-economic development during the next decade. Some of the US experts on South Asia have also urged the US government for bolstering economic aid as well as trade access for Pakistan to create goodwill among the general public.
Extremism and militancy is, of course, an issue that has created turmoil in the region and has directly and indirectly affected Pakistan. The internal threat is also posing a challenge to the integrity of the country. With pragmatic policies and progressive approach not only Pakistan would be better able to defeat extremism but also develop its potential to play a significant role by becoming an important economic hub. The moderate forces should join hands to defeat the extremism and terrorism.
