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
-----
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.
----
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
-----
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.
----
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/
----
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.
-----
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/
-----
URL: https://newageislam.com/pakistan-press/pakistan-press-sources-militancy-pak/d/123351
New
Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism