Line of action
The right has dominated the narrative for too long and concerted efforts must be made to change this.
For too long, militants have been romanticised, the issue of drone strikes put at the forefront of debate and suicide bombers, in some cases, termed martyrs. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
It is always good to know governments are thinking. This is indeed what we elect them to do; to plan for us and for the future of the nation. The indications that a ‘Plan B’ is being thought out, in case talks with militants fail, is encouraging — given that there seems to be very little hope of this always dubious effort succeeding. With militant attacks increasing by the day, as the prime minister’s adviser Amir Muqam was attacked in the Swat Valley and ANP leader Mian Mushtaq killed as he returned to Peshawar from his village, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said the government is prepared to launch a military offensive against militants unwilling to enter into a reconciliation process.
While Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is reported to be eager to try all peace options before opting for this, the militants seem to have shown no particular interest in talks, and there has been some doubt cast over what Maulana Samiul Haq’s role in this is at any rate. While media reports had suggested Maulana Sami, chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, had been appointed mediator, there has been no absolute confirmation of this.
Coinciding with Chaudhry Nisar’s tougher line of talk, there are suggestions, a plan for a military operation has already been worked out, with the army ready to move on it. It seems likely this will become necessary. Given this, and the opposition we can expect from the Jamaat-e-Islami, the PTI and possibly other groups, it is important to create readiness amongst the public for such a situation. For too long, militants have been romanticised, the issue of drone strikes put at the forefront of debate and suicide bombers, in some cases, termed martyrs. If the tide is to turn, if a different strategy is to come into play, there must be a deliberate initiative, spearheaded by the government, to change this line of thinking. The right has dominated the narrative for too long and concerted efforts must be made to change this. Public support is important to any military operation. The ambiguity on this score has been a problem in the past. It must not be allowed to emerge as one again.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2014.
While Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is reported to be eager to try all peace options before opting for this, the militants seem to have shown no particular interest in talks, and there has been some doubt cast over what Maulana Samiul Haq’s role in this is at any rate. While media reports had suggested Maulana Sami, chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, had been appointed mediator, there has been no absolute confirmation of this.
Coinciding with Chaudhry Nisar’s tougher line of talk, there are suggestions, a plan for a military operation has already been worked out, with the army ready to move on it. It seems likely this will become necessary. Given this, and the opposition we can expect from the Jamaat-e-Islami, the PTI and possibly other groups, it is important to create readiness amongst the public for such a situation. For too long, militants have been romanticised, the issue of drone strikes put at the forefront of debate and suicide bombers, in some cases, termed martyrs. If the tide is to turn, if a different strategy is to come into play, there must be a deliberate initiative, spearheaded by the government, to change this line of thinking. The right has dominated the narrative for too long and concerted efforts must be made to change this. Public support is important to any military operation. The ambiguity on this score has been a problem in the past. It must not be allowed to emerge as one again.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2014.