Pakistan’s proactive strategy and taking the battle to the militants has apparently paid off in the KP Regions. Well done, Army, Air Force, and the Intelligence. I, being the biggest critic of the intelligence, will not hold back when praise is due, and here is a case where a commendable operation has been executed. Though congratulations are in order, it’s still too early, primarily because I do not trust the TTP, so it would be appropriate to wait for the results of what happens after 6 November in Istanbul. So far, the TTP communications indicate that they have halted all operations in Pakistan, ordered their militants to withdraw into Afghanistan, and on-ground movement indicates this to be true.
Negotiations with terrorists have always had their pitfalls, and it must never fall onto the shoulders of the security apparatus to that. The situation has been politicised, and people take up positions without proper rationale or logic, and as such, people are confused by the varying narratives. The real picture must be discussed in the media extensively so that people are involved and educated. Regardless of one’s political biases and prejudices, we can all agree that where Pakistan, its well-being and security are concerned, we stand united. Though there are experts everywhere, I have put together my highly limited wisdom in perspective. Here are some bullet points for everyone to consider:
- Militancy/terrorism is a tactic of war and perpetuated by hostile powers against an enemy State. Everyone does it. Aggrieved/disenfranchised people are recruited to a real or perceived cause and exploited against the State. TTP is one such case. The answer is not to have aggrieved people.
- The front line resistance to militancy is always the people and never the military. Thus, the responses must be people-driven, i.e., empower the people. The local/lower administration must secure respective spaces through village-based defense styles. They should have access to military support and be equipped with real-time communication. Each area must manage its own entries and exits through the local administration, etc., with proper logs and records. Whereas I agree with the KP Jirga’s demand of ‘no more operations’, I must insist that the responsibility of maintaining order must also be embraced by the Jirga. The bottom line is empowering the people, establishing trust between the government and the populace, and working based on cooperation rather than coerced alignments.
- The people must be educated that protests against a drone are a protest against a weapon system. The protests must be against attitudes and not weapons. High-handedness and misuse of authority can be curbed by local administration taking responsibility and, as such, becoming a buffer between the people and the security apparatus. The local administration must be governed by the people of that area and not by government manipulation.
- Hold the border with the appropriate surveillance and rapid response capability on the ground and in the air. Make the kinetic response space a flexible line with integrated tactical depth and early warnings.
- Be prepared to conduct hot pursuit across the international border with the view to cause greater pain by strikes than the comfort being provided by alignment with Indian sponsored terrorism.
- Establish a buffer zone jointly managed with unified intelligence and ground troops.
- Avoid discussing history – you cannot relive it, and the facts are always narrated to situate one’s own position. Pakistan must demand no cross-border militancy as the only immediate step. Recognition of the Afghan regime must be conditional on their recognising the Durand Line as an International Border.
- When negotiating, it must be based on pushtun to pushtun and not Pakistan and Taliban. The former is a political discussion and the latter is an ideological one. The difference is subtle, but I urge the authorities to study this and analyse it.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are natural neighbors that can even one day be a confederation, and as such, enmity is mindless and totally unnatural. We must work towards a better integration of the people-to-people interaction.
Whereas the situation is complicated and the environment is complex, we must find a solution. Since I am not equipped as the decision makers are, I shall trust their methods based on the information they have and can access. My views are only a suggested course to be integrated into an overall plan. Living here in Tank etc, I can see how a difference can be made, and my views are not intended to show the decision makers as incompetent or lacking in any understanding, it’s only to emphasise some issues that they already are aware of. I end this by extending my best wishes for further success to the military and to the intelligence (for a change) from my desk.
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