The writer, a native of South Waziristan, has a master’s degree in conflict resolution from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in the US
The demand by the Hazara community in Quetta for the military to take control of Balochistan has baffled the nation’s top analysts who insist that the military, the ISI and the Frontier Corps (FC) are involved in committing genocide in the province. Strictly sticking to the facts, Pakistan’s military is garrisoned in Quetta and is not deployed there; hence, it is not out there abducting and slaying people as claimed. It is only the FC that is deployed in Balochistan and terrorists captured by it are usually released by the courts. Only after regressive steps were taken to strip the FC of its powers in Balochistan did terrorist attacks increase multifold. The massacre of Hazaras on January 10 has led the government to reinstate the FC with full authority and has furnished it with police powers for two months.
I recently had an opportunity to interview the DG-ISI, Lieutenant-General Zaheerul Islam, where he mentioned that there is an insurgency in Balochistan and for any insurgency to succeed, the law-enforcement agencies have to be made ineffective. During the British colonial rule, Balochistan was divided into A and B areas; the former were directly controlled by the British and the latter through Baloch sardars. This continued after Pakistan’s independence until General (retd) Pervez Musharraf converted the B areas (almost 95 per cent of Balochistan) into A. Hence, maintenance of law and order of the majority of the province was handed over to the police instead of the Levies, who mostly served the interests of the sardars. However, in 2010, the now-sacked chief minister of Balochistan converted A areas back into B and the police was withdrawn from over 240 stations. This move made the first responders, the police, ineffective and enabled militant outfits, including the Taliban, to reorganise in the area. These groups did not face much challenge from the Levies, who neither had the training nor the resolve to tackle such a situation. The second response consists of the FC, which has been put on the defensive since the issue of the missing people was raised. After the law-enforcement agencies in Balochistan were successfully hindered, violence raged on in the province uncontrolled.
Much as our analysts assert that the military is scheming to take over Pakistan and derail the democratic process, rest assured that the military is content remaining on the sidelines. The PPP government has managed to destroy public institutions like the PIA, railways, steel mills and the energy sector. The average GDP growth rate during the past four years has been the lowest in the history of Pakistan, and as per the IMF, the country’s debt is not sustainable without foreign help.
The 2013 elections will not unleash any substantial political tsunamis because the PPP will likely win the ‘democratic’ election simply due to its ability to secure a large number of seats in parliament. A democracy should empower the people rather than elect corrupt politicians and their brood repeatedly. Thus, till a radical shift takes place, Pakistan is doomed to nosedive into oblivion. Militancy has opened the door to non-state actors who have eroded the writ of the government in external and internal affairs. Furthermore, it has led to sectarian cleansing as was witnessed in Balochistan. The clerics have not used their authority to contain violence and have instead been instrumental in preaching hatred. If the clerics are not contained, sectarian divides will keep the country in a near state of civil war. The judiciary, on the other hand, is yet to punish a single terrorist. Without addressing cases through an oversight office, such as an independent supreme judicial commission, the judiciary will remain heavily influenced, forcing people to seek justice through other means. Likewise, the police have to be depoliticised and granted an independent protocol in order to make it effective.
Constitutional amendments to expunge the Objectives Resolution should be considered since it goes against the unifying concept promoted by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Any political party that has a manifesto promoting intolerance of other groups shows direct contempt for the Pakistani flag whose white portion symbolises inclusion of minorities in national life.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2013.
COMMENTS (51)
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Article is quite complicated the way its presented; some of the suggestions are less convincing. Nothing been mentioned about the poor governance in the province which remained the main cause of current situation. Some of the views are interesting; which missing better concluding remarks.
It is so funny to watch the Paki-liberals here embarrass themselves in this thread. They are so predictable, nothing more than pitiable Indian/American lapdogs incapable of any semblance of informed analysis.
APPLAUSE!
Now we know who was protecting terrorists in Baluchistan -- the ex CM who can hardly talk!
"there is an insurgency in Balochistan and for any insurgency to succeed, the law-enforcement agencies have to be made ineffective............in 2010, the now-sacked chief minister of Balochistan converted A areas back into B and the police was withdrawn from over 240 stations. This move made the first responders, the police, ineffective and enabled militant outfits, including the Taliban, to reorganise in the area. These groups did not face much challenge from the Levies, who neither had the training nor the resolve to tackle such a situation. The second response consists of the FC, which has been put on the defensive since the issue of the missing people was raised. After the law-enforcement agencies in Balochistan were successfully hindered, violence raged on in the province uncontrolled."
@Hussain: He who learns but does not think, is lost.
@Anzar Jamal Wazir: Dear if you are confused that means you are not paying attension and if you cant see head , tail and bottom then definitly you need to see a doctor .
@salim... The army chief repeatedly states (publicly) that he will not interfere. Perhaps you should read more than 1 or 2 opinion pieces per week.
Interesting From the article & comments, it appears we are a confused nation.No one is talking about Pakistan.In this scenario ,the opportunist like Dr.Qadri conduct 4 days TV show at Islamabad
true jee pak need army to crush these beast terrorists
@Nadir: hahaha u will always be in state of denial. pak need army to crush you heroes terrorists
rightly pointed out by the lady of waziristan....hazara people were infact calling for army to take over...few of my my friends here are trying to malign the facts, that the people were not calling Army to take over the province.... For God sake, army is the only institution left wid us which is still intact....if u start targetting it then Allah knows what will happen to us
Ok lets try and clear the confusion. The article was not about the Hazaras, but were mentioned as an incident in a series of many incidents related to misrule and poor governance. Its about PPP because its the Government but it could have been any of the other parties. Its about the military because they are being blamed and made scapegoats on the basis of precedence and history, whereas nothing happening today is attributable to them. No one has suggested a military take over but there is an attempt at trying to draw ones attention to where the problem lies. However, it seems that for the Army it is becoming an issue of damned if you do and damned if you don't. Its about Pakistan because the system needs to be reviewed and some suggestions have been offered where it appears the auther wants to regulate the clerics, reform the judiciary and hold them accountable through a system, improve the police functioning. Now us this not democratic enough for you?
Does the author have inside info: "rest assured that the military is content remaining on the sidelines"
@ Rationalist: I am tired of you lunatics. If someone just mentions the Army you people start frothing at the mouth. This is the Pakistan Army, one of the few institutions still intact. Look at the railways, PIA, Steel mills, energy, economy, poverty,employment then you should be ashamed of yourself. Do you have any suggestions or just like to shoot your mouth off in support of the biggest thieves and crook in the country. What was said about the army that got you so worked up??
@azhar: Space maybe????
What exactly is she trying to say? she has a master’s degree in conflict resolution and yet her article is full of conflicts..
Winning seats in parliament is what democracy is. What is the author's definition of 'democracy'?
I can reason with you when you say that the military / FC is not directly committing these crimes itself. But what you can't deny is that extremist terrorist assets which the military harbours under strategic depth are doing it.
whatever the libidos say, its one of those rare articles that wud speak against stereotyping of our army and packed with facts. great job and keep up the good work! except the last para which was truly uncalled for.
The title was so interesting to me that I felt reason to read as I was expecting the courageous young author will be discussing the historic facts and dynamics of PPP-Military realtion since the formation of PPP under ZAB and will evaluate millitary's ascendance to power, ZAB's state-owned murder at the hands of general and appointment of Sindhi PM Junejo, by playing Sindh card by millitary. latter, the movement for democracy by PPP and allies. To dethroning twice the BB's govt and will highlight the anti-estab role of PPP spanned to 40 years of struggle. The role of PPP to bail-out millitary each time up to Musharraf's dictatorship...I also expected analysis on military's role in formation and implimentation of internal and external policies by without political support of mainstream parties including PPP. But to my dismay, the author appears to be in "particular state of mind", which one attains after the dose of something that is prohibited here!
bright article by bright lady. I like both. hypocrites and liberals always mind anything written in favour of military. keep up good work. most of the people don't understand your article. may be they are not focusing on title of article and they want a continue story rather than this type of multiple subject covered articles.
What stupidity? Ill-informed! Does the writer even know for what reason the Hazaras are being targeted? Incoherent and stupid piece!
secondly can ET raise it's standards for contributions pleaseeeeeeeeeee!
You should be ashamed of what you wrote. A military apologist, one interview with a general and you fallen flat on your back
@Dark Justice: Most powerful in the world? Ever hear of the CIA? Mi6? Mossad?
Nothing much wrong in what you have said except you have been extra charitable while mentioning the army.............why ?
@Arsalan, maybe if you had read the title of the article: "The military, the PPP and Pakistan", you would have been prepared to absorb the content.
This lady is not sure what she is talking about. She is so patchy and wishy washy and unsure of what she wants to say. I was lost half way and then i had to read again.
Weird!!
This Op Ed is based upon the interview of ISI chief. We know our generals never lie so this must all be true. Her argument is the military/FC were made powerless hence all the murders and genocide. Could this be because those organizations let loose their strategic assets and to gain control of the province? She writes "PPP government has managed to destroy public institutions like the PIA, railways, steel mills and the energy sector." Does that mean these organizations were doing well before 2008? Not a single KW of energy was added in Mush's era. In addition the lady assumes the next election results and condemns democracy. The Western world must take notice of the pseudo experts who are against the modern way of life and freedom and preach dictatorship. Such foreign elements must not be allowed to filter through to Democratic countries otherwise they would continue to double cross them like Qadri is doing while on welfare and Canadian passport.
I failed to understand whethere the author was trying to write an excerpt of her interview with DG ISI or were these her own views. To me this looks like repetition of some general facts already known and written about by much more experienced writers.
I don't know for what reason this article is published? What is in it except author is confused and have written article having no tail, no head and no bottom... I think her bio makes Tribune to publish her articles? Nothing in it.
Absolute rubbish. This is how "deep state" promote lies
Beautiful face but a confused mind. Sweetheart too much information and a little too obvious in your evaluation.
An informative write up. But it will not go well with the ignorant supporters of oligarchic democracy which protects the rights and privileges of two percent elites.
The ethnic dimension of the conflict in Balochistan is often ignored by analysts. The influx of Afghan refugees (mainly pashtuns and hazara’s) into Balochistan during the soviet invasion (1980-90), the clever use of this influx to counter the anti-establishment political forces in the province (both Pashtuns and Balochs), resulting distrubance of the already delicate ethnic balance, deliberate encouragement of ethnic conflicts in the 90s following the ”divide and rule” policy of the English masters, together with constant state patronage of corrupt Baloch Sardars and Pashtun Mullahs, rampant corruption, lack of opportunities, incredible youth unemployment, naked racism in government departments… the list is long. Each play a role in this mayhem. Encouraging the aggressive settlement of Hazara Afghan refugees in Quetta during the same era (1980-90s) with an objective to exploit and use their anti-pashtun ethnic resentment in Balochistan on one hand, and achieve strategic influence in central Afghanistan (the Hazara belt) on the other. Very few people discuss the fact that majority of the current Hazara population in Quetta came during and after 1980s. With this in mind, it is not surprising to notice that the governor of the province during that period (1985-91) was a Hazara.
Nonetheless, no amount of grievances and political difference can justify the ruthless massacre of Hazara’s in Quetta. It is by no means less than a genocide. The policy makers of this region must realise that the only way Pakistan and Afghanistan (and their unfortunate citizens) can progress is by forgetting their troubled past and following the example of the post WW2 USA-Japan or UK-Germany. These dirty strategic games will bring no good to anyone. ”The choice is no longer between violence and non-violence but between non-violence and non-existence.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
naive analysis... how did the author managed to interview the chief of third most powerful intelligence agency in the world for this article?
Well I must say that she has done a great job, she has concluded almost everything and even given all the solutions as well. So now if some people are still confused, I must advise them that remain confuse because this the best u can do. Did somebody give thought that why people of Baluchistan are asking for ARMY? why a mother , a sister , a wife , children’s kept on sitting out there even in this weather with dead bodies and kept on asking for ARMY ? Why???????? And if people are still confused then I feel sorry for them. I want to clear one more thing regarding the link which has been given by basit khan. This link shows the picture of a tribe’s man and FC officer. I m still fail to understand that what is wrong with this , the FC (frontier corps ) officers are supposed to interact with tribal people and their leaders so what is wrong in it I must say people should not comment on platform of ignorance and moreover they should not get confused .
What I know is during Balochistan Flood... Only Pakistan army was there to help Poor Baloch while Baloch leaders were enjoying their lives in abroad and Baloch chief minister was sitting in Islamabad...
What I know is during Balochistan Flood... Only Pakistan army was there to help Poor Baloch while Baloch leaders were enjoying their lives in abroad and Baloch chief minister was sitting in Islamabad.
@Nadir, Tried to comment once but I think the editor does not like me as much as he likes you. You appear to be that old toothless hag who chooses to disagree because she cannot find it within herself to agree with the truth. When the Army is called for an operation what does it mean???? Dissatisfaction with the government and the rulers, right or wrong??? Now give an alternative to the suggestions instead of repeating the old cliches, the Army's dunnit". You people are amazing; has the government not been removed, are the people happy in Pakistan, Karachi is fine, FATA is peaceful, the energy is oozing out of your ears? Whats wrong with you all. It is people such as you who condemn the populace at large to a life of misery as you indifferently throw accusations at the Army which has only been conspicious in its absence while your heros raped the country.
@gp65: hi mate, seems you missed the plot, its in English, can be a bummer old chap. Well the devil's in the detail, so screw up your eyes and purse your lips, try to understand whats written, i.e. judicial reforms, police reforms, political reforms but no Army mentioned; strange thing there Ianstien!!!!
"The 2013 elections will not unleash any substantial political tsunamis because the PPP will likely win the ‘democratic’ election simply due to its ability to secure a large number of seats in parliament. A democracy should empower the people rather than elect corrupt politicians and their brood repeatedly."
So why are you so sure PPP will win if it is as unpopular as you think it is? Are you saying that the current EC that all parties trust is incompetent or corrupt? If the elections are free and fair and based on a verified voters list, why would people not be empowered when their representatives (of whichever party) elected through such a free and fair election conducted by an empowered EC assume power?
What other mechanism do you have of 'empowering people' that does not depend on elections?
" This continued after Pakistan’s independence until General (retd) Pervez Musharraf converted the B areas (almost 95 per cent of Balochistan) into A. Hence, maintenance of law and order of the majority of the province was handed over to the police instead of the Levies, who mostly served the interests of the sardars. However, in 2010, the now-sacked chief minister of Balochistan converted A areas back into B and the police was withdrawn from over 240 stations."
Are you saying that the unarguably incompetent Mr. Raisani has greater responsibility for the insurgency in BAlochistan than General Musharraf's slaying of Akbar Bugti?
@John B: "Can some one summarize what she is trying to say here."
Sure. Politicians? No good. Judiciary? No good. Clerics? No Good. Go Army!
Young lady from Waziristan, 'for any insurgency to succeed, the law-enforcement agencies have to be made ineffective', off course if you miss the proverbial elephant in the big picture, e.g,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unbannedus/91330977/lightbox/
Hazaras demaded Army intervention? FC is defensive?
Did you feed your unicorn?
What an awful propaganda piece
The relationship between local entities and national groups is definitely complex throughout Pakistan. Last summer I hiked through northern areas where the locals referred to Pakistanis as foreigners... i.e., they didn't view themselves to be part of Pakistan. A short opinion piece can only offer so many details, yet I believe the author did a good job discussing problems in Balochistan and offering solutions to remedy political divides in the country. Excellent point about the flag and how Pakistan was never intended to serve only the Islamic faithful.
@auther I think it will be best for you to join TUQ, as you are both lobbying for the same entity.
Why ar u so confused?
Can some one summarize what she is trying to say here. After the Baluchistan paragraphs, there is no continuity in the thoughts and my ignorant mind cannot follow the musings of the author.
The Hazara community demanded that the Army launch an operation, they did not ask for the Army to takeover. Thank you for propogandizing for the Army and ISI, pretty much confirms their narrow mindedness and self deluded sense of superiority. As for the rest of your piece, pretty much establishment 101, politicians are bad, civilians are bad, throw in reference to Jinnah.