How do we move forward? Politicians like Imran Khan suggest we talk to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This was done earlier in the Swat accord but with disastrous results. After our unsuccessful political adventure, we then had to resort to the military solution. The question that arises is should we should enter into another agreement and, more important, whether either side would be able to live by it.
Another school of thought suggests the ‘Rajapaksa approach’. This is the stance adopted by Sri Lankan President Mahendra Rajapaksa. No compromise with the militants. No negotiation, no surrender. And most important, no interference from a third country. This interference can be in the form of support to the militants, or as peace negotiators. Such a strategy worked to defeat the Tamil Tigers, till then considered one of the world’s most sophisticated and dedicated militant organisations. Will it work with the TTP?
Possibly not. Because the war that the TTP is waging has been largely misunderstood. Many Pakistanis do not see it as a religious conflict. They see it as a class war. The TTP are focusing on the weaknesses of democracy in Pakistan and winning over supporters in the process.
At the heart of the conflict in our country is the fight for justice and the rule of law. In present day Pakistan, the judicial system is unable to provide quick and cheap justice. Thanks to a corrupt and inept police system, coupled with an equally inefficient and exploitative justice system, the average Pakistani has no option but to bribe the people that matter to get any justice.
For the rule of law, the courts must be backed by the state. If a court gives a decision, it must be followed through by the government. This, too, is not happening at the lower level where despite getting a verdict in their favour, litigants are unable to get the police to act.
In many instances, the poor Pakistani does not approach the courts to redress his grievances. He usually ends up at a tribal jirga that dispenses quick justice. But this justice is now also being seen as warped. The jirga is usually headed by an influential landlord, who keeps this system in place to protect his interests and prolong his hold on power.
In our democracy, most of these lawgivers are also lawmakers. They dominate parliament and stop any move by other quarters to address social problems of our society. In one startling wake-up call, a deputy head of the Senate justified an incident in which women were buried alive as a punishment in Balochistan. He said it was tribal custom.
Most bills that address issues like women’s rights, violence against women or human rights issues are ignored. Despite its progressive credentials, the ruling party is also dominated by the feudal gentry. They all band together, irrespective of their political affiliations, to protect their interests.
These people call the shots. They give justice, they control the police, they provide employment and they milk the system to their advantage.
In this equation comes the TTP. In Swat, its first targets were landlords. The TTP provides the justice that the government should be providing. Their courts are quick, cheap and effective. Their leaders live simple lives. People have started to flock to them because they can also enforce. There are now such courts operating in Karachi as well. So wide is their reach.
Given this situation, possibly, we are fighting the wrong war. Unless we address our problems of crime, corruption and an ineffective justice system, we will see certain quarters trying to fill the gap. One day, they will be all that we have left. That’s the frightening possibility.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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TTP operating in Karachi? now that's shocking!
In my opinion, the reason TTP is able to fill this gap is not just because our state officials are corrupt, but because we have a government that lacks sound policy as well. Be it economic, education or foreign policy. We still have no clear policy on how to handle an army we rented to fight our war, which helped the Taliban exploit the poor and uneducated.
I'm also not sure if we can rightly call our army, judiciary and the police force 'incompetent' when they competently know how to protect their own interests.
I think everyone missed the point of the article. It wasn't to defend or justify the TTP but acknowledge the FACT that they have gained support and popularity among the people of Pakistan today, objectively analyze the reasons behind it (the gaps in the state structure which created the space for extremist elements to step in by providing some level of beneficial services) and just bring this issue to the fore front that mere criticism and hyperbole is not going to help, to devise solutions, it is important to understand the reasons.
Not too far in the past, Pakistanis used to interchangeably call the Taliban as Freedom Fighters. Now, its an amusing spectacle to redefine them after they became the victims.
Nowhere is the author PROMOTING the Taliban. He's warning of what happens if the state structures fail. Do you ppl even READ the articles? And while reading, do you comprehend? It seems not.
Great article. We need to go beyond the hate and understand the root of the problem.
Agree with writer about his views of corruption,bribery,nepotism, feudal system inefficiency of courts in providing justice to the people . This is what that may have frustrated the people but i don't think that having a huge experience of killing of almost 35000 of people (30000 or above Pashtoons) ,destruction of our villages,cities and more than 2000 schools in tribal areas and Khyber Pashtoonkhwa by Taliban and other religious extremist justifies that people should look towards TTP for solutions of our problems mention by the writer and if our intellectual tries to make a mind set of people in such a way it would be no thing more but a destruction again so plzz....
Everything will change when people at large will be prepared to change themselves. There is proof of such a wonderful thing happening in the history of mankind. So the question, we all should ask "Do we want a change for the better"? If we ever do. Will we be prepared to change ourselves for the better? So if we want a change for the better we should start changing ourselves for the better right from this moment, and also urge others to do the same. No gain without pain. The pain of changing oneself for the better.
The root cause is the direction Pakistani leaders has chosen for Pakistan!!! Until and unless they don't realize the inherent risks in extremism of any kind and bring back the country on the path of moderation nothing will help... Flirting with TTP , who are behind killings of thousands of Pakistanis (which also involves ruthless beheading of Pakistani soldiers), will only add to the severity of the problem. At least TTP needs to be dealt with iron hand!!!
Pakistan is more complex as compared to Sri Lanka. We are not only faced by interior issues such as corruption and illiteracy our ethnic and religious diversity also causes greater challenge! In my views, economic issues are the major route cause – Forces that provide two meals are followed without questioning. Sardars and Vaderas are not interested in positive debate and politicians are happy to keep the status quo maintained.
No honesty, is the root cause of all the problems in this society-- in every segment.
the way it looks, even US has time.
Why do people like to glorify Taliban, I do not support or justify the US interference but when Talibans were left alone, yes, we all know what they did in Afghanistan...do we need another experiment!!
The delays associated with the courts are tragic. Along with corruption and huge litigation costs, the judiciary is fast becoming an Achilles heel of the state. This is what precisely pushes the people towards alternatives. In India, there are village panchayats called khap-panchayats that believe in obscurantist, orthodox and crude forms of quick justice delivery that will appall any self-respecting human. Even the Indian Supreme Court has called such khap-panchayats as Kangaroo courts but the feudal nature of our societies along with the general romance of the people for antic instruments ensure that such stupidities of bygone era remain firmly entrenched.
The reforms of Police and Judiciary is a gradual process that will take decades. We can't wait for these reforms and allow non-state actors to dictate terms till then. We need to ideologically wean the populace of the true intentions of these non-state actors while simultaneously utilizing the boots on the ground. And while this may rankle a lot of people, most of these organizations take recourse to ideology only as a gimmick to fool ignorant people. The Maoists in India regularly take protection money from the same multinational companies that operate in their area. Recently Mao's grandson wrote an article wherein he criticized the Maoists in India of besmirching Mao's name. What an irony ?
You forget to mention that the Taliban are peace loving freedom fighters who will throw away their weapons and return to their tribal, quaint lives once the US leaves, cable tv connections are disconnected and shaving foam/cream is banned! Hmph!
Selective amnesia or professional dishonesty, whatever the case maybe but the writer has conveniently forgotten the reign of terror carried out by TTP. Need I remind readers that these barbarians are responsible for 35000 dead Pakistani civilians and near to four thousand military personnel. Yes, we have problems with our judicial system, policing, law making and what else but to threaten us with TTP, that is totally unacceptable. People of this country have suffered terrorist attacks, two wars with India, poverty, military dictatorships, religious extremism, political assassinations, corruption and yet survived to live another day. So dear writer, no need to commit suicide by surrendering to TTP, have some courage and patience, things will change.