Owning the war on terror

Uninterrupted democracy and our commitment to fight terrorism will pave the way for a peaceful Pakistan.

At an event marking Martyrs’ Day, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani made an unambiguous statement regarding the war on terror. “Despite all this bloodshed, certain quarters still want to remain embroiled in the debate concerning the causes of this war and who imposed it on us … Today, it is Pakistan and its valiant people who are a target of this war and are suffering tremendously,” said General Kayani. These words are a timely reminder to the Taliban apologists who have confused our people by declaring the war on terror and our fight against the Taliban a foreign agenda and “America’s war”. It is because of such propaganda that many in this country are unwilling to own this war despite losing over 45,000 innocent Pakistani lives at the hands of terrorists.



Instead of saluting the PPP, the ANP and the MQM for owning the war on terror and condemning the Taliban, the TTP attacks on these three parties hardly merit a condemnation by the apologists. It is shameful that these elements, including certain political parties, are blaming the victim instead of unequivocally condemning the Taliban. Make no mistake, this is our war. General Kayani made it clear that there will be no talks with the militants unless they give up arms unconditionally and submit to the state and its Constitution. Those who think the Taliban will lay down their arms and become law-abiding citizens once Nato forces withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014 are deeply mistaken. The TTP and their ilk do not believe in the idea of democracy. Not only do they want to eliminate democracy but they also want to impose their own twisted version of religion on the people.

There is method in the Taliban madness. They want to paralyse the state through fear and terror till it stops functioning. It is time we understand what they stand for. We need to remain united against these merciless forces till we eliminate them from our soil. General Kayani’s reiteration about elections being held on time is also welcome. Uninterrupted democracy and our commitment to fight terrorism will pave the way for a stronger, peaceful, pluralistic and democratic Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2013.