The obvious next step would be to launch a military operation in North Waziristan, where the TTP and other militant groups like the Haqqani network are able to operate without impediment. The civilian government seems to have little power when it comes to matters that concern the military. The US has far more influence but even it has not been able to convince the military to launch an operation in North Waziristan. With winter approaching, any possible operation is now likely months away at best. The state has ceded authority, not just in North Waziristan, but in all parts of the country where the Taliban can potentially launch an attack. When the attempted murder of a minor schoolgirl is not enough to spur the military into action, then there is probably no crime so heinous that military force is the only possible response. Our lack of reaction will only embolden the Taliban.
Often, exhortations to launch an operation in North Waziristan are fended off by stating that most militant groups there have not made Pakistan the target of their nefarious designs. This, however, ignores the fact that they have been staging attacks inside our neighbouring countries and, hence, the reasoning not to deal with the sanctuaries is flawed. If we refuse to rein in militants targeting US/Nato forces, we should then be ready to face the consequences because the rest of the world will tell us that we need to sort out the militants in our own backyard. Either we act decisively and launch a military operation to minimise the menace of militancy or we should stop our criticisms of drone strikes, which aim to eliminate the very militants, who we refuse to target and who endanger Pakistan, too.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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People who don't believe in Taliban's Claimed shooting Malala after threats, then threatened of killing her again if she survive actually live in a dream/fantasy world. I tell you! They also believe that Osama is alive, WTC was an inside job, it's impossible for man to go in space, mars or moon, the aliens have landed, that political leaders from religious parties are truthful and pious, women in remote areas of Pakistan have excellent living conditions with full-rights, 15 Saudi Hijackers are still hiding some where in the desert, Taliban don't live on smuggling, kidnapping, robberies and murders, there are actually no problems in Balochistan, and that if you keep telling yourself and others ANYTHING over and over you start to believe it's real.
@Romo: so if malala does not do well will that mean that God is on the side of Barbarians, please stop bringing god in everything and start doing things to make pakistan leave dark ages behind
@MAT: In your soul, clearly.
Wheres the wound??
For all those who think Malala shooting incident is blown out of proportion, or it is a conspiracy, or argue Malala=Drone attack:
Malala shooting is not an incident, it is a concept & a statement - It is a reprehensible ideology that women are second class citizens, they should confine themselves to homes and also no one should speak up for secularism or against Taliban.
Drone attacks too is a concept - If a country does not effectively control its territory and lets a bunch of criminals/dacoits/terrorists thrive in those areas, it will come under international attack. International law will not stop attack on a nation - that hides behind the 'sovereignty' argument, while choosing not to take action against armed 'non state actors' who attack beyond their territory.
Both have only one solution - Strong actions by Pakistan against extreme ideology and indoctrinated men (of all denomination). These folks are lawless, have weird interpretation of a religion and don't hesitate to launch terror attacks on Pakistan as well as other nations.
If Pakistan did that - it'd send out a message both to Taliban & international community as to where it stands, making drone attacks unjustifiable and Malala like attacks more and more difficult.
If Pakistan establishment doesn't do that, it'll expose itself to charges of being agreeable to same ideology or being afraid of Terrorist Taliban (and other groups). That'll justify drone attacks.
I wish she returns with full recovery in a different Pakistan-Pakistan of her dreams
Get well, Malala! Wouldn't it be nice that your getting well convinced the stupid Talibans that God is on your side, not theirs? Keep fighting the good fight. The world is with you!!