Adil Najam
After an intense, and sometimes tense, debate in Parliament, Asif Ali Zardari’s government has now promulgated the ‘Nizam-e-Adl’ regulation in Swat. The deal is now official. In this ATP Poll, we would like to ask you if you think that this deal will still be standing in 3 month’s time and, whether it would or not, who (government or Taliban) would be stronger?
There are, of course, other questions related to the Nizam i Adl deal. For example, will this spur more demands from other areas for similar regulations? Will this actally bring peace and justice to Malakand? What form of Shariah will actually be implemented? What effect will this deal have on the ruling coalition itself?
These, and other questions may not be part of the Poll – which focusses only on whether the deal will last 3 months and who will emerge stronger out of this at the 3-month mark. However, we hope that readers will discuss these – and any other – larger questions about just what the implications of this Nizam-i-Adl deal will be on Swat and all over Pakistan.
“Stand by me” is a beautiful song, sung by the rivers of Swat valley.
I would love to go there again and eat Trout fish fresh out of the river someday, hopefully soon.
I sincerely hope the people who are doing this to Pakistan have a grand strategy. If the intention is clear, neat and honorable on both side, we **might** have some peace.
I guess it is in the nature of Pakistanis to Biitch when something is done. I have read the same intellectuals, liberals -aka neo-fascists, because they want to impose their version of humanity on others, I digress- proposing some peaceful solution in Swat, not long ago. Now there is such a big brouhaha when it is implemented.
Give it time. Peace.
“Innaa lillah he wa inna illehe raajioon”.
It recalls to me story of a tribal who wanted to loot a house in Kshmir during tribals’ jahad there. When the inmate of the house told him that he was a Muslim, recited ‘Kalima’ to prove that and prayed for reprieve, the tribal said, “Alhamdulillah! Kho chih tum musalman he to ham tum ko maare ga nahein ‘Shaheed’ kare ga.”
It appears the Taliban would do the same. They won’t kill Pakistanies but would ‘Inshaallah’ martyr them along with their country which, it is claimed, is also Islamic and so is like a mosque.
I say lets at least give this regulation a chance and see what happens. Maybe we will be surprised. Sometimes power can melow people down.
It may be a hard thing to accept for most of the open minded liberal people on this blog, but I am afraid the Taliban has already won.
No Pakistani army will ride to save the people because they know that there is no political will left in this fight.
Whether out of conviction or from fear, the pakistani National Assembly gave its consent with very little debate. After this, which army in the World will have the will or the desire to fight.
@ Adnan Siddiqi: It is immaterial if the deal is good or bad; that is not the issue. The issue is that a part of a sovereign nation was overrun by a band of armed gunmen and when the dust settled down, the state gave in! That is the issue, otherwise what was wrong with the British rule, especially since they made some wonderful laws!
@ Iqbal: You are 100% right my friend. Swat will have peace. It will be the peace of the dead and of the intimidated.
Indeed, some peace.
The deal has already failed. These murderers are still busy killing Pakistanis.
10 Policemen killed in Charsadda today by these killers that we are making deals with:
“CHARSADDA: At least 16 people were killed, including 10 policemen, and several others wounded after a suicide bomber slammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a police check-post in Charsadda on Wednesday.
According to reports , the blast took place at the Harichand Police Check-post in Charsadda, killing 16 people, including 10 policemen, and injuring several others.
The DPO Charsadda confirmed that 16 people were killed in the suicide attack.
A DSP was also among the dead.
Meanwhile, emergency was declared in the Charsadda Hospital immediately after the blast.”