Adil Najam
I open the ‘top stories’ page of The News today and two headlines scream out at me. The first tells me that twelve people, including three women and two children have died in a US drone attack in Orakzai. The second tells me that militants have killed five in an ambush on a police van in Dir. All this while the tears from the carnage at Lahore are not yet dry. For what? For whom? Why?
The Americans tell us that they must do what they are doing because they have to stamp out terror. The militants say that they too must do what they are doing because they are fighting the enemies of Islam.
All I know is that it is Pakistanis who continue to do the dying. For what? For whom? Why?
For the life of me I cannot understand how the US thinks it will root out terror by lobbing bombs at Pakistani women and children. Nor how these militants think they are helping Islam or fighting America by killing Muslims and Pakistani, bombing girls schools, or terrorizing civilian populations.
It is obvious that the Americans are not winning their “war on terror” through these tactics. Nor are the militants and extremists making any dent in America or its policies through their terror. Every minute of every day is a reminder of the face that terror has not been “defeated,” nor is Islam any more “safe.” All we know for sure is that innocent Pakistanis are dying. For what? For whom? Why?
The Obama Administration says it will give Pakistan $1.5 billion a year for development. Economists estimate that the war on terror cost Pakistan $6-8 billion last year. I don’t find either number relevant. All I know is that over a thousand Pakistanis died last year in this conflict. For what? For whom? Why?
The newspapers are full of statements and analysis. They offer little solace, and even less insight. They only add to a noise that is now no less deafening than all the bombs themselves. We must speak out and act up against the forces that spread terror in our country. But we cannot remain silent on the deaths of Pakistanis by those who claim to be our friends.
No one seems to care about the death of ordinary Pakistanis. They deaths don’t even merit a statement of condolence, of remorse. Everyone seems to have a ‘great cause’ to fight for. A cause greater than the life of a child, a mother, a father. The Americans have ‘Terror’ to fight. The religious extremists and militants have ‘Islam’ to save. The Pakistan government has no clue who or what they are fighting for, with or against. In the midst of all of this, ordinary Pakistanis become mere ‘collateral.’ For what? For whom? Why?
Today, my words are not the voice of analysis. Today, my voice is the voice of angst. I know that my words will make little difference. I know my voice has neither reach nor influence. But let me say to all and any who may be out there to listen: We are not collateral.
And so, today, once again, its was Pakistanis who died. Pakistanis who cried (1, 2, 3). For what? For whom? Why?
(Note: Pictures above are from funerals of those who died during the terrorist attacks in Lahore).
@Farrukh Aziz: did it hurt when the Army upgrades it toys using the money from Uncle Sam? Or when the brass went to Washington, DC to ask for more? Those US senators ponied up the money to pay the piper; why are you surprised when they call the tune?
It really hurts when we see US senators saying that Pakistan has to do more and show its commitment.
1000s of Pakistanis losing their lives is perhaps not the same as few americans losing their lives.
America has offered 1.5 billion dollars to Pakistan government for the next five years in return for Pakistan government’s cooperation in America’s ‘war’ in Afghanistan & Pakistan. Is this arrangement of servitude in the best interest of Pakistan and her people? If not then does the ruling class of Pakistan has the moral courage to say no to this American money? Would the rulers of Pakistan, at least this time, let go the opportunity to get further rich on American money at the expense of Pakistani people? Both Sharif-Mairaj clan and Bhutto-Zardari clan are billionaires. Do they need any more money? How many more houses and apartments Pakistani civil & military officers need in America and West?
As I read the news and claims and counter claims of rival parties, my observations are as below.
a. Nato alliance is fighting the Taliban-Al Qaeda groups in Afghanistan. FATA talibs are helping and harbouring the leaders and fighters, many of whom are of Punjabi, Arab, Chechen origin etc
b. Pakistani forces are supposed to stop the activities of the anti-Nato alliance in Pakistani territory.
c. Pakistani policy is to counteract the militant activity through military action, but NATO wants to eliminate the leaders and non-Pathan element by air strikes whereever they are. Pakistani disagree officially as this appears as an attack on the Pakistani soil.
d. Militants carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan to demoralize the population and destabalize the government.
I am not sure if this straight forward explanation does any justice to the situation on the ground. We have to throw a few more facts in the mix.
1. India has close ties with Afghan government. Indians would like to keep the Pakistan Army busy at the western borders to consolidate her position in Kashmir region. Moreover, the right wing policy makers would like to see Pakistan suffer in the same way India has suffered in Kashmir. Thus it is not far fetched that India is supporting the FATA Taliban. Again, I have to consider that Pakistani soldiers would find it hard to fight other muslims unless there was a valid excuse. Indian involvement may provide that reason. Secondly, Indians can not and will not risk their position at the world stage by acting against the NATO military objectives, directly or indirectly.
2. Religious seminaries all over the country are producing Talibs in their thousands. Many of these follow the same ideals as displayed by Swat Taliban and they join these groups very eagerly.
3. The families affected by the air strikes and military operation want revenge. Pakhtun culture is deeply associated by the sense of honor and revenge. This provides many recruites to the militants. Also, the tribal conflicts may result in parties joining militants or the army and no one knows the true allegiances of these tribes.
4. ISI has a history of playing with the tribal politics and religious sentiments for the past 25 years. It is not impossible that they are still involved in the similar tactics to create new groups to cause problems for NATO forces. It is not unusual for a government agency to act independently against the set policy. CIA has been known to do that. Being an intelligence group, the ISI attracts the ideological right wingers from the army ranks. I had the previlage to meet the civilian ISI operatives long time ago, and their favrourite book was the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. I believe that the patriotic, but religiously and politically dangerous minds are still among the ranks. I will not be surprised in ex-ISI personell are implicated in anti-NATO activities in the coming months.
5. It is very dangerous to deal with the Hamid Gul type ISI operatives by the government. There has been an attempted coup and assasination attemp before. It is thanks to the more moderate sections in the army that these zealots are kept at bay. I believe that the PPP is holding back its true sentiments not for the sake of ANP allies, but for the genuine fear of a coup. PPP destabalized Punjab for power, they can afford to say no to swat militants, and Gen Kayani is no big fan of the settlement either.
6. It is very important for the PPP government to distance itself from the opposition and ensure that COAS can take appropriate military decisions in FATA and Swat. Also, the drone attacks shambles should be accepted as a policy. These hollow diplomatic protests are fooling no one. We can bargain with NATO to obtain better technology and military equipment.
7. As a nation, Pakistanis should accept that no matter how moderate and peace loving 150 million people are, there is a large number of zealots and bigots who would like nothing better than an all out war with all the infidels. The war has to be declared openly and this war should be fought in the society, press, TV stations, schools and universities. Gen Zia showed the poor classes of Pakistan a good use of their time and lives.. They all went to war against the USSR. Gen Musharraf wanted them to find something else to do. He tried throwing money at the Universities, but forgot the primary and secondary schools. Unless the peasents and workers of Pakistan are not supported for the education of their children, we will see their generation to become future militants.
8. We must accept that yes, we produce more terrorists per 100 persons in our cities and towns than any other country. Once we accept the truth, we can solve the problem.
The senselessness of this is horrific. You have put your finger on the issue. Why are we Pakistanis being killed both by the Americans and by the jihadis. And both claim to be killing us for our own good!
Thank you for expressing these sentiments of all Pakistanis.