Our reactive policymaking needs to be replaced by proactive policymaking. Otherwise, our efforts will go to waste
KARACHI: Your editorial, “Military gains” (July 5) has touched on the most important and sensitive issue concerning Pakistan’s security, which has been threatened by multiple complex threats by the TTP, the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jundullah, al Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Haqqani network. Securing an area of 4,707 kilometres was a very a challenging task and now, except for the Shawal sector of North Waziristan bordering Afghanistan, over 90 per cent of the area has been cleared by our armed forces.
It is true that since the start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the information received has been sketchy and its only source has been through ISPR press releases, and there is no reason to doubt the information it has relayed. But the fact remains that a sizable force of militants has crossed over to Afghanistan. They are stationed there and are ever-ready to renew their attacks inside Pakistan. Our operations have suffered setbacks because of the change in policy by President Ashraf Ghani’s government, despite the fact that earlier it had extended support and cooperation to the ongoing operation in the tribal areas of Pakistan. As in the case of the Swat operation, we were late in rehabilitating displaced persons and in relieving and replacing troops with our civil administration. As a result, we had to establish a new cantonment, thus limiting our fighting strength on the eastern border. We are caught up in a similar situation now, as internally displaced persons are being moved back, the pace at which infrastructure has been developed in their hometowns leaves much to be desired.
The army is playing a zero-sum game against militants in which there can only be one winner. That is why the army chief has made the categorical statement that the war will continue until all militants are eliminated. What is important is not only how quickly displaced persons are rehabilitated, but also the establishment of an empowered civil administration that can take over matters of governance in the tribal areas. The growing threat from the Islamic State also cannot be overlooked. It is time the military operation started targeting militants throughout Pakistan, including banned outfits operating in southern Punjab. After just one suicide attack in Tunisia, the government there closed down 80 mosques because it realises that the lives of people are more important than allowing militants to operate at will under different covers. Our reactive policymaking needs to be replaced by proactive policymaking. Otherwise, our efforts will go to waste and it will take a long time to achieve what we want in this war.
Lt Colonel (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2015.
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