Pakistan has undergone a 9/11 moment. The unprecedented scale of the attack on school children and teachers by Taliban elements has shocked the nation and its political and defense establishment to form a united front. It is too early to tell what concrete results may emerge but the beginning is at least promising. Imran khan has called off his long boycott and national disobedience against the present government to face the crisis in the part of the country run by his political party which was the focus of the terrorist outrage.
Pakistan is a country of pent up rage and needs. Imran khan has given voice to grievances of the common folk but his tactics of boycotts, vilification of government and judicial figures do not create a model of good governance. The democratic process in Pakistan is shaped by vested dynastic interests, crony capitalism, religion and an elitist mindset that sets up privilege as a right for the haves.
Clearly there is a pressing need to make the process more inclusive. Demanding the forced resignation of a prime minister through the sheer will of a determined personality does not foster national reforms. The movement becomes yet another manifestation of personality driven agendas that have a lock on the existing political system.
The true drive for reform needs to focus on making institutions of government more open and accountable. The direct political interference into the routines of government has to cease. The bureaucrats and agency heads should function as professionals openly accountable for their performance to the public rather than the political paymasters. People recognize but putting programs into shape is going to be a torturous process.
For the immediate future the country is in a reactive mode. The national revulsion demands revenge. The government has lifted the EU inspired moratorium on executions and has started to hang people on a regular basis. The reactions by the militants are sure to be even more violent. The government has to be judicious in its use of force and corner the militants through an organized campaign of interdiction. At this point it remains a wish as a befitting memorial in memory of the innocent victims of a heinous act.
My dear Nasic wanted to say some thoughts on massacre of innocent school children but swayed away towards PTI politics which evolves around the national arena and did leave impressive bench marks in political awareness of general public,we have to see its real implication in future.
Coming Back to Peshawer killings,it is gruesome act of terrorism and it was complete failure of our law enforcement agencies with no exception. We have been implying day to day tactics to deal long lasting menace.The PMLN govt continued lethargic attitude toward this deeply rooted issue and just kept the eyes closed and focused on the mega projects which are more visible physically and very good slow
Fans for next elections to sway the voters.it was criminal negligence on the part of the interior ministry which took 9 months to articulate national security policy and announced with boosting claims but it needed money to make it workable but denied funds which reflects the govt priorities.
Even after this episode,the reactionary and emotional steps are being taken,which to me will be resulted in far reaching consequences.Justice should be done but no revenge………..all the elements sympathizers,supporters to the terrorists in all ranks and files should be brought to justice irrespective their political or religious affiliations,otherwise this incident may proves to the beginning of wave of terrorism.
May Allah save our beloved contry.
There is discussion taking place on email thread and the focus is on inability of the civilian government, but unfortunately it is the Military who calls all the shots. Zardai and Nawaz Sharif were trying to take away the power on these matters from Military, but thanks to Imran Khan and PTI, it is still firmly in the hands of Military. The terrorism cannot be uprooted until military makes up its mind. Even though Nawaz Sharif has announced that there will be no difference between good and bad Taliban, but Military has not decided yet. One day after Peshawar attack, bail was granted to a militant involved in planning of Bombay terrorist attack. Hafiz Saeed, accused of involved in Bombay attack, roams free in Pakistan. Military and to some extent Civillians still think terrorism against India for Kashmir is ok, and that is delusional and at the heart of the problem.
An article by Pervez Hoodbhoy is worth reading.http://www.thinkersforumusablog.org/archives/7719
With the conclusion today of deliberations to chart a plan of action to counter terrorism, I am very disappointed. What a medicre leadership! Prime minister congratulating himself and his counterparts for doing what – for uniting in saber rattling! No congratulations are called for at this stage. The only ray of hope that I see is coming from across the border where new Afghan leader has practically reciprocated our army’s actions and launched an offensive against collaborators of Mullah Fazal Ullah.
Five convicts hanged so far and only those that army wanted hanged (for attacks on their ex- chief) and not one person is heard demanding murderer of Salman Taseer hanged among the first ones. No one brought up or suggested to roll back the Zia ul Haq’s actions that have resulted in this plague, yes the introduction of Hudood laws. Our leadership has no guts needed to do anything. Red Mosque Imam not relieved of duties after openly reminding that Taliban are justified too to react…total disappointment!
People of Pakistan should wake up and form volunteer watch keepers at every street, every new comer in the area registered, identified and kept under surveillance until his activities prove what he says about his occupation and business in the area.
I totally disagree that whole nation is on one page, there are millions of Moulvie types who are waiting to welcome with garlands the likes of ISIS and congratulate Baghdadi for revival of Khilafat. End of this plague is not coming this easy Mr. Prime Minister, hold your congratulations!
Babar
Following comments by Wequar Azeem and MM Abbasi
Comment By Wequar Azeem
Iss hammam meN sab naNg’gay haeN”
Politicians, before Ayub, were inept and lost for direction in matters of
state-craft. Ayub took over because he was facing retirement since he had
already wrangled two extensions and third was being denied. He had too much
lust for power and too much unfulfilled ambition to go home just yet. He
took the capital to his own door step, near Rehana. He was aiming to become
a King like another soldier Mohammad Reza had done in neighboring Iran half
a century before Ayub. Zia took over because someone had to stop ZAB and
his insanely dictatorial and illegal democracy in which he was not the
winner of majority vote. He did not bother to get elected once again in the
residual smaller half of Pakistan and usurped power with the complicity of
a debauch and permanently inebriated military general. The Soviet take-over
of Afghanistan became a godsend for Zia to consolidate his long drawn
power. He was a typical military dictator with all the tyrannies that go
with that phenomenon. To add insult to the injury he was a fundamentalist
forcing Wahabism on the entire infrastructure of national construct. Nawaz
Shareef, his virtual successor, even though an elected democrat (for lack
of a more suitable word for what passes in Pakistan as democracy), got busy
pillaging, collecting kick-backs, managing and milking Pakistan as a
clandestine business for personal profit, while ensuring that profits are
collected and accumulated overseas. He continues to do that once again,
thanks to endemic illiteracy, slavery of masses under feudalism, elitism,
corrupt and complicit judiciary, and above all a Bureaucracy working for
highest bidder. The only clean, albeit not perfect, military ruler Pakistan
ever had was Musharraf. He was hated mostly because he stopped the
corruption at highest levels and that was hurting thieves down the cadres.
The politicians ganged up against him, aided and abetted by the worst ever
Chief Justice, to remove him from power to go back to feasting on the
vitals of a helpless and unfortunate nation, like vultures.
Who can do what is needed ? A benevolent military dictator, who has the
guts to abrogate the constitution, redraw the election rules, install
secularism, hang corrupt politicians, sectarian clerics, and wipes out all
dirty officials. And then arrange CLEAN elections with CLEAN candidates for
constituting an egalitarian constitution. Any other measure is half
measure; doomed to bear no fruit.
Wequar Azeem
Comment by MM Abbasi
Who can do what is needed ? A benevolent military dictator, who has the
guts to abrogate the constitution, redraw the election rules, install
secularism, hang corrupt politicians, sectarian clerics, and wipes out all
dirty officials. And then arrange CLEAN elections with CLEAN candidates
for constituting an egalitarian constitution. Any other measure is half
measure; doomed to bear no fruit.
Excellent summary and most suitable remedy. But breathes their a soldier
with soul so noble ? I doubt. Any soldier from amongst we have is neither
a soldier nor noble. But there still can be a Musharraf; the original or
his duplicate in character, zeal, sense of loyalty and bravery.
M.M.Abbasi
Since Ayub Khan Military has always been in charge, especially of foreign policy, and we have seen dictators of all shapes and forms. Most of the crisis created during civilian rule always has some form of backing from the Military. Let us take hypothetical example. If Zardar had full power of a civilian ruler including full power over Military, Zardari, even if corrupt, would have ordered the Military to eradicate both good and bad Taliban and improve relations with India and we would not have Peshawar like incidents. If Nawaz Sharif had same powers, even if corrupt, he would have done the same thing and improved relations with India.
India is afraid to make any deal with civilian leaders of Pakistan because India is afraid it will be double crossed by Military which is not under control of Civilian rule.