Opinion: Radicalism will consume Pakistan if it accepts the demands of Tehreek-i-Taliban
A Parliamentary Committee has endorsed military leadership to hold talks with Tehreek-I-Taliban Pakistan who has just energized, or TTP, a group that without mercy slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians and Pakistani army. The revocation of this cowardly and embarrassing responsibility shows a good rubber stamp parliament for vain but seeking benefits and privileges for its members.
Direct negotiations between soldiers and terrorist groups are not new but never produce results. In May 2004, an agreement was signed in Shakai with the militant leader of the Nek Mohammad tribe from South Waziristan. It called for stopping attacks on Pakistani security forces and government property. In return, the state will pay compensation and free prisoners. De-Weaponization is not mentioned.
The Shakai Agreement lasts 50 days. Only a few days after the signing, Nek Mohammad stated in a radio interview that there was no agreement that could stop him from hosting Jihadist Chechen and Al Qaeda then fought with Pakistani troops. Terrorist activities continued. Nek was killed by a US predatory drone on June 18, 2004, the first missile attack on Pakistan’s land.
Registering an agreement that failed in the last 20 years – including one with Sufi Muhammad Swat – requires too much space. But in September 2006, entering the Fortress of the Taliban Miramshah, stands out in my memory. Photographs show that army officers hugged those they had opposed to four years when the militant had a heavy armed
The Governor of the North-West Frontier Province at that time, retired Lieutenant Ali Mohammad Aurakzai, praised the agreement as “never before in tribal history”. However, the Taliban was not asked to hand over their heavy weapons. The only profit is that the soldiers allowed to pass are safe. In retrospect, the agreement strengthens militancy and ensures that 40,000 lives will be lost in the coming years.
Today, we all know what ultimately weakens terrorism and gives us pseudo peace. Operation Zarb-I-AZB (2014) is a frontal attack on TTP and his jihadist guests. Artillery and air power finally pulled them from within the village of Waziristan who were arrested. Widespread destruction forced more than 90,000 families to become refugees. If strength has been used before, damage to guarantees will be much smalle
However, success is only partially so that the Raddul Fasaad (2017) operation was followed. Deliberate name choices – ‘radd’ means elimination and ‘phasead’ suggest internal battles rather than external enemies. The fantasy bubbles where Pakistan lived after 9/11 finally exploded. General Hamid Gul and his students Imran Khan have convinced many that terrorists are operated by some foreign hands. There are no Muslims, they said, who could kill other Muslims.
There is no way there is a greater lie; No Hindu or Jews were arrested who were paraded as a failed suicide bomber. This lie was followed up with an amazing act of respect for terrorists. Directly after the 2013 suicide attack at the All Saints Church in Peshawar, he urged that TTP be allowed to open an office in Pakistan for holding a peaceful talks. A year later, TTP slaughtered 149 people in the Army Public School in Peshawar.
When the events proved repeatedly, the TTP killers only understood the language of strength. But today, the lesson seems lost and the benefits of Zarb-i-Azb and Raddul Fasaad-reproduced at large costs by the army and officers-caused. The new generation of officers once again pursued a futile difference. The history of how terrorism is subdued seems to be forgotten.
I just received a letter of sadness from a former student who had fled from his village in North Waziristan. Every member of the Village Peace Committee, including the Village Mosque Imam, Qari Samiuddin, and his son, Qari Nouman, was first threatened and then killed by shadow elements. The latest murder is on July 13, Murtaza businessman. To sympathize.
