My take is that TTP is an outfit that is using the name of Islam to gather power. Quite like Fazlullah in Swat. This is actually quite common. What makes them different is that they are able to recruit people who are bent on revenge. Also, the desperate people who have nothing to lose apart from their lives are driving the dynamics inside the organization.
Pathans have a long history of upstarts gathering power by any means possible and taking on the power structure in an effort to replace it. This has often happened on the village and clan level for many centuries in the past. There is always someone to challenge the 'Big Khan'. If they succeed, their efforts pay off big time. They then have to crush all the challengers ruthlessly as the incumbent 'Big Khan'. This has been an oft-repeated cycle. In case of TTP, there came an opportunity to use religion for the sake of gathering power. These people pay lip service to Mullah Umar, but do not follow him actually. He has specifically asked TTP to desist from attacking PA and focus on Afghan resistance, but TTP's game remains unchanged.
I think there are four layers 1. The top decision-makers, Pathans or Pakhtuns. 2. The people who are willing to kill themselves to avenge the death of their loved ones, the cannon fodder or suicide material. 3. The hard-core non-Pathan Pakistanis (Punjabi Taliban) and non-Pakistani jihadists (Arabs, Chechens, Uzbeks, etc...). 4. Miscellaneous locals in the ranks who either agree with Taliban or are with them to earn a living.
Each of these layers is separate and distinct. For each of them our government must adopt a different approach.
The above is based on some personal interviews, perusal of information publicly available, and own thoughts. I can be wrong. If someone disagrees with me, I would welcome their perspective and hope to learn and modify my views.
I must caution about one thing though. It is too easy, tempting even, to label someone as a supporter of Taliban based on their willingness to engage. Such a course of action would not yield any positive results. One must be open-minded and willing to listen. Otherwise this forum would just fall to the level of PakDef.
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haviZsultan, you have taken a lead in this, but you are also being a little judgemental. @
Zarvan should be free to express his views without being labelled as Taliban sympathizer. The blowback in shape of TTP should have been expected. In my private conversations, I had expressed my apprehensions in this regard. If I could predict this (no-brainer) then so should have our leadership at that time. But then Musharraf was busy being his enlightened-moderate (and intoxicated) self.
Havi, Last but not least. Pls do not put words in my mouth. If you think I am a certain way, then pls ask for clarification instead of labeling me. I own that I do not like Qadianis, but I am indifferent. You probably have not had any experience in dealing with them, but I have. Based on that experience, I can tell you that you know far too little to be judgemental about me. I grew up with some of them, I have seen their literature, I have read what others say about them, I have discussed a few things with them. Some have tried to convert me, and I have spoken to former-Qadianis. You do not seem to have done any of that. If you do not know that they consider us Muslims as Kaffirs, then there is a lot that you do not know. Religion does not seem to be your thing. But do understand that if you do not appreciate the difference between various and different perspectives, you can not be sure that your opinion can hold up to scrutiny. Being a journalist you should know that already. Either you should know what you are talking about, or you should not air your opinion. And labeling others definitely does not help here.
Don't expect the Kashmiris to stop fighting and as long as they fight they will find supporters in Pakistan.
