Adil Najam
Government and opposition politicians have embraced the idea of a national conference on how to deal with terrorism. The idea of a conference, in itself, is not much. But the idea of creating a national consensus and a national sense of purpose on dealing with the menace of terrorism is critical if any of the tough steps that will need to be taken, could be taken. One hopes that the conference will, indeed, do that.
But the creation of that common sense of purpose – and let us acknowledge that there is no such thing in Pakistan today – is not just the state’s responsibility. It is equally, and maybe even more, a responsibility of society. The fissures within the state reflect the even deeper fissures within society. And both build upon each other.
It is important, therefore, for all of us to have the exact same conversation that we want our political leaders to be having. A conversation that is focused on practical solutions, difficult decisions, tough realizations, and ultimately an agenda of action. Figuring out ‘how we got here’ is always important, but only to the extent that it actually leads to meaningful strategies of ‘how do we get out of here.’ So, as part of this national conversation, we ask our readers to suggest practical steps forward – ‘practical’ does not mean that it has to be easy, but it does mean that it has to be doable. What do you think should be done, by whom, and how? Have your say; there just may be someone listening.
By way of context, as well as good advice on how the national leadership – and we ourselves – should approach the question, this editorial from Dawn makes very good sense:
…the militants are not only at war with the Pakistani state, they are bent upon subjugating the Pakistani people as well. Security installations, government buildings, mosques, schools, shrines, hospitals and markets, all have been attacked. With this blurring of targets, there is also a need to realise that, whatever their nomenclature, ideology, agenda and area of operation, the militants must now be seen in holistic terms — and their tactics unanimously condemned. This should be the thought behind the attempt to form a consensus on a strategy to curb terrorism…. What is not a matter of debate is that the terrorists are prepared to stop at nothing to destroy the state and inflict their obscurantist agenda on the people. So when the national conference [conversation] takes place … it should be with the realisation that there is a common goal to pursue. There should be no room for blame-games or fiery speeches. Serious discussions will be required, with informed input from all concerned, so that a workable plan to thwart militancy can be put in place. Such a plan would include suggestions on how to prepare the people to take on those who threaten their way of life.
We also seek a serious conversation. What do you think should be done, by whom, and how? You can, of course, say whatever you want. But one hopes that we will get beyond the usual spate of incrimination, finger-pointing, conspiracy, and denial. Certainly look back if you must, but if you are spending more time looking back than forward, then you are probably driving in the wrong direction. To the extent you can, we would appreciate if you would respond to the question with the clarity and unambiguity it deserves: What do you think should be done, by whom, and how?
1. Secterain Terrorism was remained in Pakistan from 1979 onwards when Iranian Revolution came and Khoemieni tried to export this into Iraq, Saudia,Pakistan and other countries, 1979 Attack and Hostage of Kaaba , then Saddam attacked Iran to stop Iraq’s Shia Majority to stand against him , Saudia ,Bahrain,Egypt and all Arab Countries funded Iraq to make it War between Arab-o-Ajam , objectionable literature was brought into Pakistan , Saudia and Iran made Pakistan , a new place for their Proxy Wars,Zia with help of Deobandi Scholars created Sipah-e-Sahaba to counter any Uprise of Shia minority new vigour of ‘revolution’ inside Pakistan , Iran funded Sipah-e-Muhammad to export Revolution here and create anarchy. Counselate Sadiq Ganji who was killed in Lahore by Riaz Basra and Akram Lahori was used to export Literature againt Sahaba(ra) , War was originally of Iraq and Iran , Arab Countries , CIA and Mossad were backing different players aat different times like 1986 Weapons which Iran was secretly taking from Isarel ! But all these countries made Pakistan their Proxy War Theatre, ruined its social,cultural and tolerance fibre where shias/sunnis werer living side by side for centuries celebrating Muharram together in Indo Pak region and mutual respect. Poverty , poor literacy rates, joblessness specially in Southern Punjab Saraiki Belt and Central Punjab like Jhang , Toba Tek Singh etc became manpower recuruiting areas and ruined our country
2. From 1980-2001 , thousands of people from both sides killed mostly Shias specially in Karachi where 81 doctors and other professional killed but in all these years not a single Shrine was attacked by any group.Not even a single attack of any Mazar, Shrine or Spirtual Place.Then came 9/11 when 19 Terrorists out of 14 were from Saudia killed 2500+ innocents to take revenge of US policies in Gulf .There still exists some foolish who believe this to be a Conspiracy Theory of Mosaad+ CIA +Yahood-Hanood-Nasara classical combination which is by definition,responsible for everything bad in this world they should kindly see this prog of Saleem Safi ,Hamid Mir and Raheemullah Yousafzai to know who did 9/11 , may these foolish get a life afterwards !
For All Foolish : (Saleem Safi + Hamid Mir+Raheemullah Yusufzai)
http://pkpolitics.com/2009/08/06/jirga-6-august-2009/
Thousands of Arabs + top Taliban Leaders after selling 700+ Pakistanis innocents who entered Afghanistan to do ‘Jihaad’ against US were first betrayed by Ameer-ul-Heroin who ran on CD-70 keeping Pakistanis hostage to Northern Alliance who killed these Pakistanis even when they were weeping shouting,holding Qurans in handsbegging for mercy to tell them they are muslims and come here to fight US then Mulla Omer top Commander Mulla Dadullah sold 2000+ Pakistanis to Rasheed Dostam allowing all Talibans to leave safely and those bastards dogs after selling these Pakistanis ran and Dostam killed these Pakistanis in Steel Tankers from heat/suffocation in Shabarghan…
3. These Arabs came in Pakistan tribal Area in early 2002 and 2003 in thousands of numbers were prepared fully to this war which they themselves brought here intentionally as their greatest supporter Hamid Mire exposed in this program and their whole plan was to defeat the US by a Cassical Guerilla Fight with base camp in Pakistan Tribal Areas as they did just 15 years ago with Russians making Waziristan as Islamic Emirate in early 2004 implementing so called Shriat,Taxation and parallel Government System in Bajaur , Waziristan so to melt local tribals and blackmail them in name of Islam, terror tactics by open slaughtering innocents and FC personals to terrify locals, blasting all schools irrespective girls and boys to get illiterate but vigorous brainwashed man-power , as no schools, no education,no enlightening of vision and personality and just remain Zombies and Hassan Bin Sabah Followers to get Firdous-e-Baree and 72 Hoors etc as Education develop Mind and Personality and Brainwashed Zombies demand blasting schools,education centres as they did in Afghanistan , as they did in Swat,Mehmand,Bajaur,Orakzai and same they doing in Baluchistan killing women professors, university teachers so that educational meltdown would bring them thousands of jobless youth to join them in their Jihaad against Hazara Shias of Quetta , Punjabi Settlers and Taliban Shura which want to separate Baluchistan specially Quetta from Pakistan.
I agree with banjara286 that we should completely disengage from the GWOT. Yeah we lose foreign aid and the support of ‘one of our strongest allies’ but the potential gains (such as decrease in terrorist activities, support of ‘Punjabi Taleban’, expenditure and losses incurred by the army) outweigh the losses in the long run. I really don’t think attacking them with all the might of the armed institutions (ISI, military, police) will necessarily help either. One of the reasons for this being the near impossibility of stopping terrorists from carrying out attacks or dismantling their organizations. If anything killing a few of them may lead to increased terrorism.
I wonder if, instead of taking ‘protective’ measures, we can instead take a different approach: Changing the way they think
1. Starting a very strong media campaign showing the disastrous effects of terrorism. Perhaps videos of the families of those who have passed away in the aftermath of an attack would strike a cord with members of such organizations.
2. Bringing well reputed maulvis and religious scholars on to television programs to condemn recent attacks and to state that people who carry out such attacks are not Muslims.
3. Perhaps getting a moderate bunch of maulvis to visit ‘extremist’ mosques and madrassahs and give talks there on how the current brand of terrorism is not allowed in Islam?
4. Maybe try to get them state their demands (whilst not outright negotiating with them so as not to give them legitimacy and a sense that terrorism is working) and then acting on them accordingly?
5. It would be nice to know what exactly happened in the Lal Masjid just prior to and dring the attack. I’ve seen some documentaries and read articles (mostly by foreigners who I think would be completely unbiased) which state that what actually happened was different from what was reported. An indeoendent inquiry should be allowed and, if the authorities should be held liable, people involved in the decision making hould be proescuted and the results of the nquiry should be published.
We have to forcefully counter the notion of good vs bad taliban and the idea that Mullah Umar and the Afghan Taliban are the good ones. We need to recognize that TTP and the Afghan Taliban are essentially two sides of the same coin. The media should thoroughly debate this idea of good vs bad taliban (instead of continuing to tacitly promote it).
The media needs to start covering Afghanistan in more depth. All major newspapers and TV channels should have their permanent correspondents in major Afghan cities. News of Afghanistan’s local politics should be a regular part of the front page. How the Afghan economy is progressing, what’s happening there on the education front, how many girls are going to school or able to work etc etc. In short, how the ordinary Afghan is doing should be an important part of our conversation, because a stable and progressing Afghanistan is crucial for Pakistan’s ability to fight terrorism successfully. Only when we take this wholistic approach towards Afghanistan, will we be able to develop a policy towards that country that truly promotes Pakistan’s interests and helps us overcome terrorism (as opposed to the current one-dimesional and simplistic view where we think the ouster of the US and the return of the Taliban in Kabul will solve our problems).
On the psychological front, we have to demoralize those who sympathize with the Taliban and other such groups. That is, we must make it clear that whatever mission they’re on is bound to fail sooner or later. This includes the media inviting historians to discuss current day events and putting the Taliban in proper perspective. By that I don’t just mean talking about how the Taliban were created and the history of the Soviet war in Afghanistan but how other fanatical movements have faired in history. How more successful movements or states have been able to cope with the kind of problems Afghanistan has should also be a part of the discussion.
Intelligence coordination. I personally do not t hink that the ISI has any interest in these militants any longer. But if it does, then let it stop.
If ever there was the need for a govt of national unity to counter this common threat, this is it. Not that it is going to happen.
I actually like the idea of Shahbaz Sharif as Interior Minister.