The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
In some ways, Imran Khan represents the confusion that we see in most Pakistanis over how to fight extremism and terrorism in our society. The Tehreek-e-Insaf, in its innocence, suggests that in spirit we should embrace the Taliban and all that they stand for in the hope that then the militants will lay down their weapons and join us in the great move towards progress.
This over-simplistic approach makes me wonder. The same party also says that if drone strikes are ended, suicide attacks will also come to an end. I think it is time that one makes the great Khan wake up and smell the coffee. This is not just about drone attacks. Suicide bombings and other attacks have taken a heavy toll. Our key military installations have been hit. Our strategic edge blunted. Thousands have died in the bombings. These people had nothing to do with the war between the military and the militants. These are our people. How can we gloss over their deaths?
As admitted recently by General Musharraf, the drone attacks were conducted under an understanding between the CIA and the military high command. We all knew that but this is one of the first official confirmations from our side. This is understandable given the sensitive nature of the situation.
After the TTP claimed attacks on the US - primarily the Camp Chapman attack and the training of the Times square bomber, drone strikes in Pakistani territory increased four-fold. We should have looked at ways to end militants using our soil to launch attacks overseas. Instead, most of the religious parties attacked the government for allowing the drone strikes. This does not in any way mean that one endorses drone strikes - given the hundreds of innocent people who have died in them. But the debate should have been more honest. We lack that honesty. Or possibly the vision.
Our Commando General is behind bars. Ironically the people baying for his blood are the same that his government supported prior to 9/11. How can we forget what we did in the name of our country’s strategic interests.
Today I too am attracted by the promise that in 90 days corruption will be wiped out in Pakistan. Knowing full well that this cannot happen, I am still a fan. Tired of the corruption and mismanagement that I witnessed in the past five years, I am hopeful of change and a cleaner team at top. Increasingly, however, what is becoming clear is that much of what I am being promised by many parties is not only unattainable but suggests taking steps that will put us in danger in the coming years.
In his rally on Sunday, Imran Khan said that he would end the military operation against militants if his party comes to power. This is akin to surrendering. The ANP, which is also in favour of dialogue, however, says we should not surrender. The ANP knows what it is talking about. They have borne the brunt of terrorist attacks. Hundreds of their supporters and many of their leaders have been attacked and killed but they have not compromised on their stance.
Asfandyar Wali, one of the most outstanding political figures of the Indian subcontinent today, laments how no party is now willing to grieve with the people of KP over the attacks they have been facing, except for the MQM and the PPP. In fact, the three parties under attack by forces of terror are the ANP, the MQM and the PPP. This is how we have been divided. In the words of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a midget in comparison to Asfandyar, the May 11 elections are a clash between secular and religious forces. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Religious parties will suffer more if militants are given a free hand.
Terrorism is the greatest challenge that faces Pakistan today, not corruption and neither the state of the economy. If we are able to fight militancy and extremism, we will be able to move ahead. But none of our political parties, except possibly the ANP, thinks this is so. They have their own priorities oblivious of the real challenge that we face.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (25)
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At least Imran Khan is trying to bring the change...but he should stop to pointing out other parties!
Somewhere somehow IMRAN KHAN is right and in my opinion it is not just something he has said so the people will support him.. He must have some policy behind this .. as IMRAN khan's party is the only political party who has explain his policies with his statement in the manifesto .. and i personally also think that we and Taliban need to work together for the sake of our country progress..
imran khan in atleast trying to fight with terriosm unlike other political parties who just talks about changes but nobody is willing to bring a change.imran khan will definitly do something for the betterment for the country.action speaks more then works and election results will clear all the doubts.
according to me imran khan will definitly change the situation of our country
Imran khan in atleast trying to fight with terriosm and he is trying to give solutions and we should encourage him for that.The problem with pakistani's is that we always criticize other people and what about the other poloitical parties,they just talk about solutions but no body is nither willing to bring a change nor they want to.
I do not feel that terrorism and corruption are two mutually exclusive aspects. They both go hand in hand. Corruption is what is weakening us from the inside, and until and unless we do not cater for that, I believe it is very hard for us to effectively fight terrorism. Imran Khan's policy for terrorist attacks may not be crystal clear right now, but he agenda on corruption is pretty clear, and I feel that it is better to first clean out the inner problems we face than to plunge ourselves to the outer threats.
Instead of playing the "Blame game", why not move onto realizing the fact that the biggest problem of Pakistan(since 1947) is that of "disunity" ? Why not accept that we think on the basis of our cities or provinces or castes or sectarian groups, instead of thinking as Pakistani's? Do we even deserve to be called a nation? Terrorists are taking advantage of this disunity. This is the ugly truth.
Imran Khan is one of the leading leader in the minds of youth, which is a very strong point for him. He has used those ways to get to the minds of youth. He according to me is a positive making leader and will take Pakistan's name world wide recognizable in a positive way. All other leaders are already been tested in the chemical which vanishes corrupted and rebels from the country, and sadly they all have died in that chemical. But yet still their evaporated particles are present in the country who are trying to get together and form a strong particle again for next 5 years.
it is good that Imran Khan is trying to get solution of terrorism. but he should stop criticizing other parties. Election result will show the real faces of these politician..
I agree with the writer on one point here; terrorism is indeed one of our greatest problems right now, and with all due respect, Mr. Khan needs to get realistic about the current political situation of our country. As for PTI's promises to end the militant operation if this party comes in power, reminds me of Government's failed attempt to negotiate with Taliban a few months ago. Remember when Talibans asked for Jamat Islami, PTI and PML-N to act as their 'guarantors'. This condition seemed a bit weird back then, but now it makes me wonder if this is the reason why Imran Khan's party is able to run the election campaign in such peace. Whereas other parties' rallies and elections offices are being bombed and their workers brutally murdered.
Imran Khan needs a crystal clear manifesto. He should work on it rather than blaming and criticizing others.
@Falcon: I agree with you partially.
Even in 2009 June when it was not a popular thing to do Imran opposed the Swat operation, comparing it with what happened in 1971 and hence undesirable - so clearly his opinion on this issue is not a cynical play for votes. this is where I agree.
Where I disagree is the notion that somehow withdrawing army from Waziristan (which according to him would be tantamount to withdrawing from war on terror) would lead to peace and the notion that the current radicalization can be traced o participation in WoT starting 2001. The facts are that radicalization has roots which are much deeper than 2001. Also he is silent about establishment policy of good terrorist ( those attack NATO and India) and bad terrorists ( those that attack Pakistan). A piecemeal approach to due radicalization is unlikely to work.
My 2 cents.
Talking about Imran Khan, the difference between him and other party leaders is that, his party is the only party which has not been yet given government to. So, we can rely on him for a better government than the government of illiterates. Imran Khan has promised us to remove alot of negative things which almost every Pakistani is fed up of. While on the other hand if you talk about his view on the killings of KPK, then you can not just blame him that he doesn't have plan for until you ask him about his vision over it, however this issue is good that you raised up, this should be discussed as the life of every human being is prior to them and each and every human being has a right to live.
At least Imran khan is trying to come up with solution for terriosm unlike other political leaders
We cannot pass judgment on any party from their catchy words or agendas, which they often proclaim before the election started. Because the political campaigns are hungry for a victory, therefore overflowing with energy and enthusiasm they can say anything which they even cannot dream. So, right now it is insignificant that what manifesto ANP and PTI has declared to eradicate terrorism and corruption. Basically, the point which matter the most is that what political parties have already done in their regime for the progress of the country. Thus, I think to cast the vote for the right party in Election 2013, our experience (related to the particular parties) can better guide us...
Excellent article, Mr Kamal
i agree that the IK policies about "terrorism" and "extremism" are not so clear but i am glad that at least he raised those issues which has not even touched by others ... well who knows what is inside the box ,,, these elections are like a game wait and watch who will going to win ,,but beside this we will have to fulfil our duty towards participation in elections by "voting"
After reading the Manifesto of both the parties: What Imran Khan fails to answer in his manifesto is, on what basis will he talk to Taliban (as negotiations are based on interests) here, we lack them.
And as for Asfandyar Wali. He may be good with his words. But his party manifesto lacks the clear agenda of security.
Time that IMRAN Khan must listen to the voice of reason and sanity, instead of sticking to his own assessment and remedies of the threat that terrorism poses to Pakistan. As for MQM, it has to give up its own politics of violence, intimidation and intolerance in Karachi, otherwise other than the brand difference, there is hardly any difference, except in content and territorial intensity of their resort to violence to impose their mindset on others.
I see many people criticize IK, but has anybody else proposed a workable solution? If you have seen PTI manifesto, they talk about combination of dialogue and military combined. You can agree / disagree with IK as much as you like, but at the least he is talking about solutions. The problem is nobody is talking about comprehensive solutions, most of the liberal parties are talking about military solution alone, which will create spillovers. For example, everybody who thinks Swat operation was a success needs to re-examine this conclusion based on migration pattern of militants to Karachi, which has in fact worsened the situation by separating TTP's financial support base from its operational base. Should PTI be more vocal on the issue? Yes. Are they selling out Pakistanis to militants for votes? I strongly disagree.
I am amazed with which liberal media can bundle up all ills in the country with their melodramatic solution of 'eradicating religious extremism' etc. Pakistani people were just as ignorant, impoverished, despondent and oppressed before the advent of current round of religious extremism as they are after. Sure this is an added predicament to be tackled as well. But unless the governance system improves, the state will collapse whether in war or peace. The country's problems are neither lack of Sharia nor Secularism. A rule of law, transparency and a decent governance system would be sufficient to make the cause of Pakistan worth fighting for. Before we fight and die protecting something, kindly make it worth the trouble first.
Well said. I totally agree, but all political parties always have their own agenda's in mind don't they? How is it any different this election?
To follow what you say is very difficult especially in the case of our so called politicians. I have heard Politics is not a born negative term, but I do have a stereotyping for dis as in our country politics is a game to play n to defeat others by hook or crook. We innocent people are nothing but the puppets for our politicians. what they think they can easily make us spell bound by their touchy campaign songs but no! we are not fool. And yes, no doubt terrorism is a biggest challenge that we are facing. This is the hurdle in smooth functioning and for the economy to flourish in our country.The overwhelming increase in bombings is a wake up call for respective authorities and for those who want to draw beneficial change out of the May elections. Just hoping all our fears would be proven wrong and we would be celebrating the making of new Pakistan on May, 11.
Asfandyar is probably the most underrated leader in Pakistan. His stance on almost every issue has been proved correct, throughout Pakistani history. Now that Pakistan is facing an existential crisis, we need to listen to this man.
Why not right a similar article on PMLN and Nawaz Sharif. Oh they haven't said a word about how they will end terrorism. You people are so naive that you can't see a solution to a simple problem and even if IK's solution isn't perfect at least the man speaks about something that effects our lives. Other party leaders simple don't bother.