The argument that the reluctance of the politicianship to own the fight against the gunnies is shaking the forces' resolve to launch a full-scale offensive has few serious buyers. I believe it is the other way round. It is the military's reluctance and lack of resolve to fight that has been causing confusion and paranoia among the politicians. I would not blame Prime Minister (PM)
Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
and Imran Khan
... aka
Taliban Khan, who is the lightweight's lightweight...
for not coming clean on fighting the gunnies as they know that those who need to fight are reluctant to fight. It was heartening when former COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani
... four star general, current Chief of Army Staff of the Mighty Pak Army. Kayani is the former Director General of ISI...
declared terrorism to be 'enemy number one' but we know that the army's approach is still India-centric. The concept of good and bad Taliban is still very much alive.
In the absence of a clear stance with regard to the bully boyz on the part of our security forces, a productive national discourse cannot be initiated. The media's influence on the national discourse is critical in democratic societies but, unfortunately, our media is infested with right wing rhetoric. The recent example is that of Malala Yousafzai and how information was twisted to paint the little child as an agent of the west, thus justifying the barbaric act of the gunnies who shot her. I can present several examples where the media, dominated by right wing rhetoric, has played into the hands of the terrorists. During my research and interaction with krazed killer outfits, I found that a majority of the propaganda material used by the gunnies is obtained from the mainstream media, especially Urdu media. It is time a media watchdog is set up to closely monitor reports, especially the contents of prime time talk shows, so as to discourage 'intellectual' gunnies from using the media platform and advocating the terrorist cause.
Unfortunately, in Pakistain, the term 'security forces' means the military only. This is not to trivialise the sacrifices made by the military, but we have not been as sympathetic to the sacrifices of the hundreds of coppers who have died in the line of duty. We have treated them as lesser humans. The police and law enforcement infrastructure needs to be transformed as in the absence of an effective police force, which is well-trained and well-equipped, terrorism cannot be countered.
As a long-term strategy to counter militancy, we need to overhaul our education system. Education in Pakistain is in fact indoctrination worse than the kind the Nazis carried out in Germany. The curriculum taught in schools does not enlighten students but fills their heads with sickening hatred, a flawed superiority complex based on the glorified past, a confused and split personality, bigotry and a directionless future. The students are taught to live with a state of mind that does not relate to the demands and challenges of the real world. The real world requires peaceful coexistence, universal love, celebration of cultural diversity, harmony of faiths and freedom of choice and expression.
Here is an example of what they teach in schools. In the textbook of Pakistain Studies for class 10, a lesson on the 'creation of Pakistain', on page 16, from lines four to seven reads: "In this regard, Hindus tried to impose restrictions on Mohammedans' religion, started making noise outside the mosques. Mohammedans had their jobs closed on them. Hindus tried to replace Urdu with Hindi in schools and forced Mohammedans to worship Gandhi's statue. Mohammedan children were asked to put tilka (mark worn on the foreheads as a representation of Hinduism). They were forced to chant the Bande-e-Matrum, an anthem that maintained incitement against Mohammedans."
The powers that be need to launch a massive 'de-indoctrination' process in our education system to do away with false concepts based on a twisted interpretation of history. No changes whatsoever in the curriculum will yield any positive results if the same indoctrinated teachers stick to their blinkered ways of teaching. This process requires at least a decade but it has to be done. There is no short cut.
Poverty is no doubt a contributing factor in terrorism but to suggest that only the poor are attracted to militancy is not true. A research study conducted by prestigious US universities found no link between poverty and terrorism. This study of 6,000 people suggested that poorer Paks were actually less likely to support krazed killer groups than more affluent, better educated people. This is not to glorify poverty, but economic prosperity without enlightenment and political representation leads to frustration and powerlessness.
Political activity has been an effective instrument in engaging people. The presence of legitimate means to express dissent reduces violence. The decision of the previous government to allow political parties to operate freely for the first time in FATA is a belated but right step and will help lessen the grip of militancy in the region. Critics argue that the lack of reforms has alienated rustics and made it easier for krazed killer networks to recruit young men to fight the Pak government and to avenge a covert US drone war.
Economic prosperity coupled with quality education and political representation will help counter terrorism in Pakistain in the long run. In the short term, an effective police force, balanced media reporting and a clearheaded military will help in cleaning up the mess.