Setting the agenda
Our political parties have their own priorities oblivious of the real challenge that we face.
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.
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.