Is It Really Possible To Eliminate Terrorism in Pakistan? (Part 1)
By Mujahid Hussain, New Age Islam
24 March, 2014
When roadways are smoothed by applying a thin layer of asphalt, they do not remain solid and concrete for long, although they may temporarily appear to be smooth. The same holds true for the state of affairs in Pakistan, a country deeply steeped in extremism, sectarianism and terrorism. The recently elected government of Pakistan does nothing but cry ditto when it comes to tackling terrorism. Numerous reasons could be behind it. For instance, the ruling party of the country Muslim League’s worries that stem from its fundamental elements.
Those who have long been associated with the Muslim League and got political training and strength in the regime of General Ziaul Haq are eager to build close relations with the traditional army of Pakistan. There seems to be zero difference between their view and that of the army. On the other hand, a scrupulous number of the politicians who joined the Muslim League in Musharraf’s era hold views that are very conservative about the army’s collective role. The main reason behind it is the national strategic narrative for war against terrorism created by the Musharraf’s regime. According to this narrative, Pakistani army in General Musharraf’s era not only harmed the real interests of the country but also caused great damage to the Islamist Jihadists (engaged in their mission across the Pak-Afghan boarders and in the valley of Kashmir) with the help of American troops, NATO forces and Pakistan’s national security agencies. Before we proceed further into the critical discussion on this national narrative, we would like to throw light on the efforts being presently made to eliminate terrorism from the region.
There is no denying that the Muslim League has developed severe controversies over the issue of terrorism among its own members. One can see tangible growth and increasing strength of the people who believe military operation in tribal areas is fatal for not only the government but also for the state. The reason is not difficult to see; the Muslim League has dozens of assembly members within its own fold who have direct or indirect links with the extremist and sectarian religious outfits.
Only in Punjab, for instance, seven assembly members who were associated, a few years ago, with a banned sectarian faction are now raising their concerns through messages to the chief leaders of the Muslim League. Obviously, their victory in the elections is a direct result of their previous involvement in the militancy. One of the most important cabinet members in Punjab, a very close friend of the Muslim League leaders, possess the political power fully fed from the sectarian factions and he is actively engaged in his political works that enormously benefit terrorist organisations. This is exactly what can be seen in other provinces where the parliament members associated with the Muslim League are vehemently opposed to all actions and strikes being launched against the extremists and sectarians in Pakistan and particularly in its tribal areas. The reason behind their sympathy for the terrorists is not difficult to see. Regrettably, these mischievous elements enjoy huge support from other powerful entities as well as influential individuals. Given this dire situation, it is futile to hope for any tangible improvement in the Muslim League leadership. Majority of people who oppose the anti-terror military strikes in the tribal areas come from the Muslim League, while rumours are doing rounds in the Islamabad saying that the anti-operation elements are beginning to confront Information Minister Pervez Rashid and Defence Minister Chaudhry Nisar.
The perception prevailing in Islamabad is that the possibility for any kind of successful talks is distant. But the Muslim League, despite knowing of its rare possibility, is all set to make it happen in a bid to perpetuate its regime. Surprisingly enough, the civil government has terribly failed to understand the reason behind the army’s declining from participating in the talks, while on the other hand, efforts are being made to convince the military leadership too. The situation has become so grave that even the high officials of the Muslim League are asking the parliament members, who have been recently elected in the Southern Punjab and other provinces, to ensure that they increase their influence over the extremists and terrorist outfits in their respective provinces in order to prevent unpleasant incidents. Sources reveal that the secret funds are being used as bribe to the potential extremists to pacify them for a certain period. All this news is indicative of the great distress and chaos that has wracked the country and is the stumbling block in the way of its national peace and security.
The picture of this pathetic plight gets clearer when one comes to know that the terrorists are fully aware about all sorts of weakness entrenched in the government of Pakistan. The indiscriminate killing of the FC youth, the desecration of their corpses and continued series of the terrorist incidents in different parts of Pakistan are substantial evidence in this case. One of the major reasons behind such situations is the lack of proper information. The government attempts to conceal all the news and events that point out its shortcomings, but it fails to understand that if the information is made public, the common men may help the government form proper opinions and take right decisions. And it will ultimately benefit the state in all cases. For instance, when our invincible secret agencies terribly failed to trace out the Ahrar-ul-Hind, our defence minister appealed to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is a big rival to the country, to extend support to resolve this issue. Day in and day out, we receive news telling that the Taliban is engaged in search for the centre of the group known as “Ahrar-ul-Hind”. What could be more indicative of the government’s inactivity and helplessness!
An accurate and unbiased analysis of the present turbulent situations in Pakistan is sufficient enough to prove that the country will remain steeped in terrorism and sectarianism for long. The state’s entities and agencies badly lack the necessary skills, required focus, financial power and public support to eradicate this menace from the country. Given this, it is obviously unwise to assume that the two terrorist organisations, Taliban and Al-Qaida, scattered in tribal areas and almost all parts of the country, will lose their strength and growth. Such assumptions are based on lack of awareness about the extremists’ ambitions, nefarious intentions and fatal designs.
The author of nine books including the recent "Punjabi Taliban", Mujahid Hussain writes a regular weekly column for New Age Islam. He has been contributing to leading papers as an investigative journalist for about two decades. His writings cover a vast panorama of topics concerning political and societal existence of Pakistan, a nation passing through difficult straits since a short time after its birth. With terrorism and security issues at local, regional, and global levels as his special area of study in recent years, Mujahid Hussain has earned a sizable readership in serious circles in Pakistan and abroad. Follower of an independent, non-partisan, and objective way of thinking, the author offers honest analysis of the challenges threatening communities, nations, and humanity at large.
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