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Pakistan Press ( 3 Nov 2020, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Pakistan Press on Sources of Militancy and Pak Afghan Relations: New Age Islam's Selection, 3 November 2020


By New Age Islam Edit Desk

3 November 2020



• Sources Of Militancy

By Owen Bennett-Jones

• Pak Afghan Relations: Keep Business & Politics Separate

By Imtiaz Gul

• How Will US Elections Impact Pakistanis

By Hafeez Khan

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Sources Of Militancy

By Owen Bennett-Jones

03 Nov 2020

WHEN he launched this year’s Human Development Report, UNDP’s resident representative in Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza, said that terrorism is often a reflection of inequality.

Those who favour such socioeconomic explanations sometimes cite other factors motivating violent jihadists, eg anti-imperialism, particularly anti-Americanism, a Robin Hood mentality, search for masculinity, and national or tribal affiliation. In other words, resentment against the West, the landed upper classes, and other ethnic groups are seen as sources of religious radicalism.

These explanations are rejected by those who argue religious doctrine drives violent acts. Suicide bombers believe they’ll go to paradise, sectarian divisions relate to doctrinal disputes and some sects, eg Deobandis, seem more prone to violence than others.

Many Westerners tend to reject such accounts partly because the role of religion in their lives has become so marginal. In the UK, just five per cent of the population go to church. In a society in which few have religious belief it is hard to accept that anyone’s faith would lead them to commit murder. But there are differing shades of Western opinion. Whilst liberals tend to favour socioeconomic explanations, conservative commentators focus on the role of religion —specifically Islam — in inspiring violence.

Inequality Is Only Part Of The Explanation.

The debate surrounding sources of militancy is complicated by exceptions to general rules. How can masculinity be a factor when some women are drawn to violent jihad? What sense does it make to point to inequality when some militants are from wealthy backgrounds? And as for religious explanations, is it not a fact that, as well as inspiring the Taliban, the Deobandis have organisations such as the Tableeghi Jamaat which are committed to peaceful methods of spreading their message?

These contentious issues — and the idea that religion is a tool used by powerful elites as a way of getting others to fight on their behalf — lie behind the two main militancy-related phenomena to affect Pakistan in recent years: Talibanisation and sectarianism. In Punjab, the SSP relied on support from urban traders and low-level officials frustrated by the power of Shia landlords. In this sense, the organisation’s apparently religious struggle was in fact an economic one. Similarly, Lashkar-e-Taiba was aware that young men without a future wished to compensate for their powerlessness and lack of social prestige by being remembered as martyrs. That’s why it ensured their sacrifices were recognised in village-level public meetings in which praise was heaped on the martyr in front of the community.

As for Talibanisation in the northwest, it relied on the destabilising impact of the flows of money that came from the drug trade, the explosion in remittances from the Gulf and US and Saudi funding of the anti-Soviet mujahideen. With resources going to previously marginalised communities, the traditional patterns of authority started breaking down, a process that reached its climax in the Taliban’s murderous campaign against the maliks (2007-2010).

But alongside these socioeconomic factors, the religiosity of ‘martyrs’ shouldn’t be overlooked. Children may attend madressahs because there are no regular schools to go to but if they are unlucky enough to end up in the more extreme ones they are cut off from the outside world and indoctrinated by clerics who teach them that killing ‘kafirs’ will be rewarded in paradise. The growth of Deobandi madressahs in particular has provided an ideological basis for the spread of sectarian ideas. In some cases, the young men who attend these institutions are persuaded they have a duty to fulfil a religious mission and that violence is an acceptable method to advance their cause.

Once graduated, the socioeconomic factors kick in once again as these students find themselves simultaneously despised by the Westernised elite that runs Pakistan and alienated from their own village, even their families who are too poor to support them. They are both rootless and angered by their lack of opportunity.

There are other issues which encourage radicalisation such as the splintering of groups, often as a result of manipulation by state agencies which promote their various agendas. For example, in the 1980s, at the start of the Kashmir insurgency, the Pakistani state encouraged pan-Islamist groups with links to Pakistan rather than nationalist groups that were more independence-minded.

Nearly two decades after 9/11, the world has a far better understanding of the causes of militancy. But that’s not to say that there are simple one-size-fit-all explanations. Socioeconomic factors, religion and manipulation by power elites can all be factors. So when people blame inequality they are right, but it’s only part of the story.

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Owen Bennett-Jones’s book The Bhutto Dynasty: The Struggle for Power in Pakistan was published by Yale University Press recently.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1588351/sources-of-militancy

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Pak Afghan Relations: Keep Business & Politics Separate

By Imtiaz Gul

November 3, 2020

After a long time, the vibes accompanying bilateral relations are encouraging. The heavily-attended two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment conference at Islamabad left positive impressions, and resulted in a number of recommendations for improving bilateral political and trade relations.

The conference also highlighted the centrality of the parliament in pushing political and economic agenda. Several times during the proceedings the name of Asad Qaisar, the speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly – the lower house – resonated because of the pressure he mounted on the bureaucracy for expediting basic structural issues such as visa, import/export tariffs and border controls.

No surprise, thus, that Asad Qaisar, who hails from the Northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, became the centre of attention, even at the concluding dinner hosted Tuesday by Rahimullah Qatra, the Afghan Charge d’Affairs. The speaker heads the Pak Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group which incorporates members of all political parties. It has been regularly holding meetings to push officials into mitigating strategies as far as refugees, trade, visa and border controls are concerned. The result is astounding; the Karachi port was once overflowing with stuck Afghan transit cargo containers – as many as 9000 at one point in July-August. Now it is under 1000. Same happened to these containers at Torkham and Chamman, where illegal parking stations emerged to pocket tens of thousands of rupees from trucks stranded between Peshawar-Torkham and Quetta-Chamman.

“Our whole-hearted gratitude goes to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan (Asad Qaisar) for spearheading the dialogue among the members of the parliament, traders and for pushing the bureaucracy into resolving problems that have been worrying people on both sides of the border,” said Umar Daudzai, the Special Representative to President Ashraf Ghani, while addressing the dinner participants.

Pakistan’s foreign mission in Jalalabad should be requested to issue road passes for non-stop flow of trucks and vehicles. The time limit should be increased for Pakistani trucks and cargo for crossing Afghanistan and unloading on the border of Tajikistan

The Afghan Minister for Commerce Nisar Ahmed Ghoryani as well as representatives of Pak-Afghan Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) also joined Daudzai in appreciating the role of the parliament in resolving long-standing issues.

“Never before did I see such a warm ambiance in Pakistan Afghanistan relationship, I am so happy to be here, witnessing positive development in bilateral relations. This is indeed a win-win for both the countries,” Daudzai said on the occasion.

Daudzai underscored the need for working on improving the general environment in both countries.

He said that the recommendations made during the two-day Pak-Afghan Trade and Investment Forum ( October 26 and 27, 2020) could help in restoring the mutual trust. The conference made about 140 proposals to promote trade and investment, and urged the Pakistani government to allow five-year business and residence visas to all Afghans who are willing to start businesses in Pakistan.

Delegates also demanded that a long-term business visa should grant a person legal rights such as opening of bank accounts, driving license, ownership of property. Moreover, allowing nationality to Afghans that invest a certain minimum amount in Pakistan’s manufacturing sector was also proposed.

Regarding bilateral trade and transit, it was recommended that Pakistani trucks should be allowed to move up-to the Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan border. Likewise, Afghan trucks and vehicles should be allowed to move to Wagah border and Karachi ports.

Pakistan’s foreign mission in Jalalabad should be requested to issue road passes for non-stop flow of trucks and vehicles. The time limit should be increased for Pakistani trucks and cargo for crossing Afghanistan and unloading on the border of Tajikistan. Branches of joint chambers of commerce should be developed at Torkham and Chaman borders in order to facilitate chamber-to-chamber relations. Besides these, scores of other recommendations were proposed encompassing all major sectors of the economy.

“We have yet to solve many problems, but we have started the journey towards a mutually accommodating relationship, he added, pointing out that the Afghan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS) provides the best forum to address contentious issues.

“APAPPS is a great central permanent mechanism for addressing issues which are obstructing positive movement forward.

“Our emphasis in Afghanistan is to improve the general situation, because once we improve the general situation (perceptions about each other), it can then help in taking care of political disagreements,” he stated.

Daudzai also lauded Pakistan’s new liberal visa policy, which he said is creating a lot of goodwill among common Afghans.

Umar Daudzai was also appreciative of Pakistan’s role in the Afghan reconciliation.

“We are also as thankful to Pakistan as the United States and other countries for helping in the reconciliation process, which Pakistan says it is committed to. He however said, generally people in Afghanistan believe that Pakistan has full control over the Taliban, but “I understand it is actually not this way.”

There are certain limitations which we understand. However, whatever leverage Pakistan has on the Taliban, it should use it to further impress on the Taliban to stay the course at Doha, he said.

Daudzai also emphasized the need to end the violence as soon as possible.

“Although Taliban insist that the ceasefire is part of the ongoing negotiations and not the pre-requisite, yet every Afghan desires that it should happen first before we get into formal talks,” said the special representative. “Reduction in violence is one prerequisite, because with every single day of war, we are losing over100 persons, which means a similar number of families getting affected.”

Delegates also underlined the need for keeping business activities insulated from politics .

“Without separating the two, it will be extremely difficult to conduct normal, friction-free trade and investment activity. Leaders of both countries must ensure not to let their political disagreements impact flow of economic activies,” said Zubair Motiwala, the chairman of the Pak Afghan Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

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Imtiaz Gul is Editor, Strategic Affairs, and also heads the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad and author of Pakistan: Pivot of Hizbu Tahrir’s Global Caliphate.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/684591/pak-afghan-relations-keep-business-politics-separate/

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How Will US Elections Impact Pakistanis

By Hafeez Khan

November 3, 2020

Lebron James is a legend in Basketball. He has dominated this extremely popular sport in North Americafor 16 years. He has accumulated a fortune and is an icon for the younger generation. What sets him apart is that he is a star with a conscience. Black people make up about 12 percent of Americans. They have been left behind for many reasons. A big one is staying away from the electoral process. Lebron along with many other notables are trying to change that.

Lebron started “More than a Vote Campaign” encouraging people to vote, and combating misinformation to black people. He was instrumental in convincing National Basketball Association (NBA) to permit the use of their huge stadiums, dotted around the country, as voting stations. A huge facilitator during COVID permitting social distancing.It has earned him universal respect. There are multiple enablers around the country, many of whom have never been involved in elections, coming together to beat President Trump.

Historians view the 2020 Presidential race as the third most important election in history with consequences far beyond their term. In 1860 Abrahim Lincoln’s victory saved the Union from splitting the United States of America. In 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election led to US involvement in World War II. It led to the defeat of Nazism, otherwise we would still be dealing with Nazi dictatorships in Europe. 2020 elections are also up there. Another four years of Trump would change the face of democracy as Americans know it. It would be a racist regime with weakened institutions. Anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, heartless and intolerant.

Many Pakistanis run small businesses. With COVID out of control across USA these businesses would be hit the hardest. Everyone must vote or the consequences are serious

Nearly a million Americans of Pakistani origin would be severely impacted. Our youth will see dwindling opportunities, becoming outsiders in their own home. Many Pakistanis run small businesses. With COVID out of control across USA these businesses would be hit the hardest. Everyone must vote orthe consequences are serious.

Donald Trump caught the hearts and minds of voters in 2016. Beyond the Republican base he tapped into a vote bank of disgruntled blue collar white people around the “Rust Belt”. Since the 80’s there was a serious decline in the US industrial manufacturing base. Production shifted to countries with cheaper labor pools. With rising unemployment and cities looking like ghost towns, the disgruntlement grew. They saw Trump as a savior and flocked to him as a Messiah with a cult like following.

President Trump has no political background. He is a product of gloss and gossip columnists. He gained exposure in a popular reality show. The one liner that defined him was “You’re fired!” He brought that mindset to the Presidency. His four years in office have established him as a fascist hogging limelight by creating controversies galore. Unfortunately beyond his performances there is no substance. He is a fake and lying comes to him naturally. Fact checkers on media state he has averaged 50 lies a day! He lives in an alternate reality. From a Pakistani perspective, his recent tweet speaks volumes about this tendency. He claims Osama Bin Laden’s arrest and execution was a hoax. It was a double that was kidnapped. The Seal Team that carried out the raid was killed under Joe Biden’s orders.

The contrast between the two contestants is extreme. President Trump is aggressive, combative and negative to a fault. He spouts poison against anyone who disagrees with him. He has “malice for all, charity for none”. He is ruthless and takes no prisoners. During his clamp down on immigrants he separated over 500 children from their parents. While the kids were in cages no one knew where the parents were. Unimaginable trauma. Such cruelty from the leader of a nation that claims to be the compass of morality and beacon of human rights is the height of depravity.

Vice president Joe Biden is on the other end of the spectrum. His care and empathy oozes at every step. He is balanced, a steady hand at the helm of affairs. He has been in public life for the last 47 years. He carries very little baggage for a person with such long exposure. During the last debate Trumps efforts to smear Biden fell on deaf ears. He may be boring but he is a credible, fatherly figure. What America needs to unify a deeply polarized nation.

This election will be decided by COVID. The pandemic has swept USA. America is the worst manager of this virus. It has the highest number of infections in the world. Being only 5% of world population it accounts for 20% of total deaths. What a loss of prestige! Trump is a bull in a china shop. He has defied science and scientists taking the most absurd position of resisting wearing masks.

Pandemic has hit the economy hard. Trump failed to recognize the linkage between the two. He still claims “we are turning the corner” without realizing there is a ferocious tiger waiting around the bend. Yesterday there were 87,000 infections. The highest since the start of COVID. It will only get worse if Trump gets another term.

The American voters have recognized this fully. Early voting is through the roof. 50 million votes already cast. Despite closing polling stations in Republican run states, voters have stood in lines for hours waiting for their turn. The signs are ominous. Biden’s victory is within reach. It suits Pakistan. It is a lot easier to deal with a leader who doesn’t lie for a living. Stability suits the global scene.

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Hafeez Khan is the director of CERF, a non-profit, charitable organisation in Canada

https://dailytimes.com.pk/684590/how-will-us-elections-impact-pakistanis/

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