@Mrc @khanz @Ace of Spades @Azadkashmir @Kambojaric
Gentlemen, we need to distinguish between the anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan, and common civilian Afghans. In indiscriminate shelling/rocketing, how can we ensure the safety of the common people? Would we do the same in Pakistani areas with civilians around?
The fact is, overwhelming show of force is just that: a show. It is a feel good mechanism that has not produced results in the past, and will not do so in the future either. We need a vision, and a strategy towards that vision. The vision MUST be the unification of Afghanistan (or at the very least, Pashtun majority areas) as a protectorate/province of Pakistan, with corps raised under the auspices of the Pak Army. In order to attain this vision, we simply CANNOT afford to alienate a very proud population who do not forget injustice for multiple generations.
In order to establish ourselves as a responsible power, we need to adopt mechanisms that ensure swift and powerful justice against exactly those who are the culprits. Such a strategy can involve monitoring, video surveillance, drones, sniper fire, drone attacks, special forces etc.
But there is one more, extremely disturbing element to this. Is this shelling being done as part of an anvil and hammer strategy in sync with NATO forces? If that is indeed the case, then we are only shooting ourselves in the foot. Foreign forces would love to create hostility against Pakistan in the minds and hearts of people all over the region. Any request for Pakistan to attack with overwhelming force and risk innocent lives MUST be seen through the lens of high suspicion.
In this regard, it is insightful to look back at the Mongol invasion. A Christian priest actually ingratiated himself in the court of Genghis Khan, and was given much authority in planning. This cunning man devised a plan in which Muslim towns would be surrounded and besieged. After some time, a messenger would be sent, proclaiming the besieging forces would like to send a fact finding mission to see if there is enough water supply. If so, they wouldn't waste their time any more and go away. Under this pretext, they would come in and measure water reservoirs using sticks that were hollow in the inside, and would inject poison in the water supply. This would weaken the defences and the town would be captured. But most importantly, the prisoners from these towns would then be made to fight against Muslims of the next town.
Let us now review the situation today. An extremely well off and developing Muslim country, i.e., Iraq, was pushed into war with another Muslim country Iran, preoccupying them with war for many years. International powers made money supplying weapons to both sides. And then made even more money, supplying not just weapons to Arabs, but also putting their own forces in their countries. Over the past few decades, we see a repeated pattern, which in recent times is showing itself through an escalation of hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
In this context, Pakistan MUST choose its battles very carefully. It is said that battles and won and lost in the planning. Just because we can pummel a country with overwhelming force, doesn't mean we MUST or that we SHOULD. We MUST ensure we are NOT making new enemies, and work effectively against the ones who really are.
@Khafee @Goenitz
