This war was brought to Pakistan by al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban when they moved to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), after Americans defeated them. This was why the army had to move to Fata. Finding Fata to be a safe haven, the Taliban reorganised and carried out attacks in Afghanistan, violating the sovereignty and international obligations of Pakistan. The Americans, instead of having boots on the ground, except on three occasions, resorted to drone strikes, constantly targeting the militants’ leadership. This aspect of the war narrative has never been discussed. Instead of demanding the ouster of foreigners in Fata, right-wing political parties, including Imran Khan’s PTI, made drones a major issue.
When we look at the reasons behind this defeat, the basic factor which emerges is the ambiguity about the narrative of this war. This ambiguity was deliberately created by elements of the right wing. Some of the political parties, such as the PTI, kept on harping about this war being an American war and that terrorism in Pakistan will end with our pullout from this war. The PML-N, which was ruling Punjab, found it convenient not to confront terrorists. In fact, Shahbaz Sharif publically asked the Taliban not to attack Punjab as the PML-N and the TTP both were against America. Thus, Punjab became a nursery of militants along with the North Waziristan Agency (NWA). Then, there were liberals who divided the terrorism issue into the Karachi problem and the Shia genocide and blamed everything on the army and the ISI. So Pakistanis were never on one page in this war against terror.
The army, without political backing, was left alone to fight it out. The government never bothered to interfere or give directions. Former ISI director general General Shuja Pasha admitted that the government was informed on demand. Though overstretched, the army snatched back Swat, Buner, Shangla amongst the settled districts of K-P and Bajaur, Mohmand, Tirah, Orakzai and South Waziristan Agency in Fata from the Taliban. However, the army failed in propagating these achievements.
These talks are bound to fail, yet, once they begin, the police and the army should not be expected to lay down their lives as no one wants to be the last casualty of war. To the families of the 4,000 soldiers who laid down their lives: your sons did their best and you should be proud of them. So are we. For the relatives of 40,000 civilians there is no one to speak for you on social media. Your loved ones were not Shahzeb or Afia. The Supreme Court will not take suo motu that these talks are against their judgment in NRO case. So leave it to Allah and the day of judgment.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (10)
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If Pakistan wants to take charge, it can, but it seems that there are many "leaders" who wish chaos, militancy, lawlessness, no progress, no education, total and complete anarchy in short. This is one of the reasons why we are where we are. Our neighbours India, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Khyrgyzstan, other Central Asian nations, are progressing, we on the other hand are degenerating. Pakistan is a good example for other countries, of what should never happen. A good example of the very worst possible example. Others have taken note. When will we ever learn.????.
Truly a thought provoking analysis. The topicality of the issue has been well deliberated, leaving a lot for the readers to ponder on the helplessness of the actual sufferers.
The author has put forward his point of view beautifully. He is very convincing and to my mind absolutely correct in his historical facts and diagnosis. He on spot when he says that dialogue will fail. However there is just one point of disagreement. Brigadier Khalid Munir has been economical with truth where his parent department was concerned. What to talk of asking for any direction, the establishment never consulted the civilian government with the policy matters on Taliban. It connived in murder of Benazir Bhutto (read UN report), rigged 2008 elections to allow PML (N) Government in Punjaab and reduced majority in Centre. It used its proxies in media to launch its propaganda against then PPP Government and finally had to come out in open in shape of Memogate. Previous governments both in Center and KPK were the only dispensations which could mobilise the public in support of operation but Establishment had other designs. Starting with kerry Lugar Bill till final curtain on swiss cases the establishment along with Judiciary at times singly and at times in unison never let that unfortunate government settle in peace.The oportunity has now been lost. and we have a government in KPK which is bent upon bringing jehadi culture back in Curricula and does tire of propagating a skewed version of history. I dread the days when Taliban will rule west of Hindokush and will annex FATA from a weak Government in Islamabad and a weakened Army with no public backing t fight our brothers.
This is victory for extremists. The side who propose negotiations is the weaker side! Is this the real case?
An excellent write up depicticting the confused state of our rulling junta.
Any thing which is not based on absolute truth will always yield painful results.@csmann:
After all which is easier: fighting with TTP , or pinning it in USA?
Sad state of affairs....
Again weldone Khalid Munir. You have shown the true side. I wish there were others like you so that our war against terrorism will be worth fighting for. Keep us posted with the true picture of our complicated situation. Thank You very much.