we, as a nation, need to resolve the militancy issue itself. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
According to reports, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has lost its deputy head, Waliur Rehman, to a US drone strike in North Waziristan. Though the TTP has not confirmed the incident, and spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan has, in fact, denied it, the various reports coming in suggest that Rehman is indeed one of those killed in the attack, which killed five persons at a guest house in Miramshah. The others killed are believed to be middle-level TTP commanders and Uzbek militants. Few other details are known, but it is thought that four missiles targeted the guest house. The intelligence on which this strike was based obviously appears to be precise.
The loss of Waliur Rehman, understood to be the operational head of the TTP, and the man behind much of its planning and strategy, naturally comes as a big blow to the TTP — indeed, the biggest it has received since the death of former head Baitullah Mehsud in a 2009 drone strike. However, while we certainly do not wish the TTP to flourish, the killing of Rehman raises all kinds of questions. The fact is that drone attacks violate our sovereignty and go against international law. As we already know, they are also a source of much angst within the country. This strike, coming at a time when the incoming government is planning talks with the Taliban — in the hope of gaining the peace we desperately need — will only complicate that task.
The fact is that we, as a nation, need to resolve the militancy issue itself. There must be no intervention from other lands, given that this creates further issues. Pakistan must determine how to tackle the TTP and then set out on this mission swiftly and determinedly, whether through the use of force or through dialogue. Indeed, we need to resolve this issue once and for all, and do so in so decisive a manner that no such intervention from any other country is required. To some degree, at least, failure on our part to do so results in drone attacks. We need to convince the world we are capable of handling the Taliban problem, which has affected our nation worst of all, and then set about demonstrating this ability through actions on the ground.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@numbersnumbers: . The Americans can only Target those on whom the Information is PROVIDED. . Thus "NO INFORMATION" leads to "NO ATTACKS". . Also the Dictum "You pays your Money - You Takes Your Choice!" . Cheers
@Naresh: Well thought out and presented! No drone strike can happen without ground based intelligence! Question to ponder is why the Americans targeted one of the "bad Taliban" (TTP) instead of a "good Taliban" that they normally hit???
The U S Forces in General and their Drone "Operaters" in Particular could not have targeted Waliur Rehman without having the Coordinates of Waliur Rehman location. . This information would never be available to the US Drone Operators from their own "Intellegence" Resources as, with the prevailing conditions, no US spies-humanint could have access to Waliur Rehman. . Thus, for reasons known to itself, it is the Pakistani Amy or ISI that provided the location - by way of coordinates - of Waliur Rehman so that the Drone Operators got "their man". . Without the support of the Pakistan Army and/or the ISI it would be impossible for the US Authorities to get so near to Waliur Rehman that the US could "TAKE OUT" Waliur Rehman. . Thus this drone attack of "Taking Out" Waliur Rehman by the US Authorities does neither in any way violate Pakistan's Sovereignty not does it violate International Law as I am sure that the information to locate Waliur Rehman was most definitely received from the Pakistan Army and/or Pakistan's ISI. . Cheers
@American: who did the son murder and where?
"will only complicate that task" Way to stand up for an issue, ET. i dont know why Churchils phrase' boneless wonder' comes to mind. Show some spine and call 'spade a spade'.
@ashar: The real submission is the collective cowardice of Pakistan's Army and Politicians...they are hoping and doing wishful thinking...that somehow the problem will go away; they don't have the balls to protect their citizens by confronting thugs and criminals that murder in the name of Islam.
To some degree, at least, failure on our part to do so results in drone attacks
What a submissive attitude.
You cannot hide a murderous son at home, and block the police from entering your house in the name of sovereignty.
The obvious point to note is that America has spies within TTP. Why can't Pakistan have spies within TTP? If it has, (in fact it will be having) why is it not acting? Pakistan Govt. should remember that if it chooses to keep quite then somebody else will act. In this case somebody else happens to be America. America has tasted success with drones. It will not stop come what may. And Pakistan cannot shoot down the drones because that will tantamount to declaring war against America. Pakistan is in a bind.
"We need to convince the world we are capable of handling the Taliban problem, which has affected our nation worst of all, and then set about demonstrating this ability through actions on the ground." Easier said than done. The world at large is not interested in "the demonstration of its ability' (which everyone knows, Pakistan has) but demonstration of its will to root out this menace from Pakistan and the world. This is the only way drone attacks as well as other forms of outside interference can be stopped.