JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA: In the wake of consistent intelligence failures in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have resulted in an ever-increasing number of terrorist attacks, the federal government has decided to transfer more than 300 officers and agents of intelligence agencies (excluding the ISI) under its control. For damage control, the government has not publicised these transfers, calling the action a ‘routine’ activity. However, in real terms, no one shall expect much out of this literally ‘routine’ activity. This is an eyewash being proposed to lessen the anger among the general public following the never-ending spillage of blood in the name of religion.
Is it not interesting that the army spokesperson was compelled to issue a statement denying any link between the army and sectarian terrorist organisations? At the same time, the Punjab government is again being accused of having a soft corner for sectarian outfits. Liberal parties, which have been taking a tough line against the Taliban and other terrorists, are also on the retreat; this is evident from the outcome of the ANP-called All Parties Conference. Echoing the religious parties’ demand to open dialogue with the Taliban, liberal parties have also abandoned their stance against the Taliban, perhaps, to gain some political advantage in the upcoming elections.
In Pakistan, a number of people still think that terrorism is controlled by an on/off switch, therefore, after the 2014 withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, everlasting peace will return to the region. In my opinion, such people are either deceived by their good faith or it is their way to hide their support for terrorists. The Taliban are fighting to destroy Pakistan’ democratic base to establish their own government; at the same time, sectarian outfits are targeting religious and sectarian minorities to purify the country.
Therefore, no half-hearted efforts by the army and the federal/provincial governments can take us anywhere unless the whole country gets united in its resolve to root out terrorism. Only then will political parties, security forces, the judiciary and the media feel the heat and do something concrete to deal with the situation.
Masood Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2013.
