Zarb-e Azb: A National Aspiration

By Raja G Mujtaba – Opinion Maker

Pre 9/11 the terrorist activities were not politically motivated but were funded by foreign powers so that Pakistan would be internally weakened enough to give up its support and demand for Kashmir and would not extend any support to Afghan Mujaheddin who were fighting Soviet Union in Afghanistan. But at that time the terrorist activities were not so frequent or destructive as compared to the one being carried out currently.

The hallmark of 9/11 has shaped up a different world. The US made Pakistan to succumb to its pressure and support her invading forces to dismantle Taliban government who for all known reasons had not yielded to the US pressure in granting them the oil pipeline contract to ONCOL instead were inclined towards Argentina who had offered much lower prices for the same project.
The US groomed India as her successor in Afghanistan and gave her a free hand in that region; The US also awarded to them some huge contracts in order to sustain and carry out their agenda. This all provided a vast margin for India to spread an arc of consulates along Pak-Afghan border from where it carried out all nefarious activities in Pakistan. This fact was confessed not only by Manmohan Singh in Sharmal sheikh but was also revealed by Chuck Haggle before becoming Secretary Of Deference in his statement that India is playing as a funding hand for the terrorist activities in Balochistan and FATA.

Moreover, the reality of United States was fully exposed when Raymond Davis surfaced and killed two Pakistani citizens in Lahore. Incidentally Raymond’s release was also brokered by Mian Nawaz Sharif against the popular sentiments of the people of Pakistan.
During the election campaigns, both PML-N and PTI were supportive of dialogue with the terrorists (TTP). It may be deemed as the reason that PML-N rallies or candidates were never attacked during the election campaigns though PTI suffered a couple of hits; however it maybe because they wanted Imran Khan to firm up his support for them.

Gradually the terrorist activities picked up pace to an extent that nearly five to six suicide attacks were being carried out on a regular basis. They were targeting random people and places; however it was observed that mostly Mosques, Churches, Imambarghas, Military installations were being were mostly attacked and damaged. As a community, the Hazara Shias paid a very heavy price and there was no respite. The previous government of Asif Zardari was not moved by all these devastating events and his Interior Minister Rahman Malik became one of the most detested official figures of all; as it is also been said that he was the one who granted blanket visas to Black Water etc.

Pakistan Army Operation Zarb-e-Azb Againts TTP Developments

The Miranshah Tehsil remained on the military radar on the sixth day of the counter insurgency operation. So far 232 militants have been killed and 20 hideouts have been pummeled by the security forces.

A substantial number of IDP’s reached Bannu today after the three days relaxation in curfew by the authorities. The thorough vetting of IDP by military personnel resulted in the arrest of 24 suspected militants when they tried to flee with other civilians at the various check posts of Mir Ali and Miranshah. Three locals were also apprehended when they failed to prove their identities.

At least 12 militants, including foreigners were killed today in the Army Aviation Corps strikes in Qutub Khel area of Miranshah. The military officials allege that a huge cache of weaponry was also destroyed. The artillery was also used to target militant hideouts at a considerable distance.

TTP splinter group led by an influential commander, Abid Mucharr was also raided by Sindh Rangers in Mangophir, Karachi. The ensuing standoff left two terrorists dead and two security personnel injured. A shrine in federal capital has also been bombed by the militants, resulting in the injury of 40 devotees, according to media reports.

A large number of people migrated towards the safer areas, on the third and last day of curfew relaxation by the political authorities. The transportation of civilian evacuees from the operation affected areas of North Waziristan to Bannu under the security of armed forces jammed the connecting road, which was eventually cleared by evening.

Till now 200,000 persons have been evacuated from the area, as per the figures presented by authorities. The statistical figures further claimed that around 400 Afghan families have already left North Waziristan Agency for Afghanistan through the border village of Ghulam Khan Tehsil.

The staff on check points has also been increased to expedite the process of registration. The mobile vans of National Database & Registration Authorities have also been stationed for the facilitation purpose at IDP registration points.

Prime Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif was briefed about the Zarb-e-Azb and IDP evacuation arrangements when he visited the Peshawar Corps HQ along with the COAS General Raheel Sharif today.

Mr. Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan was once again requested by Mr. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Balochistan on the behalf of PM Nawaz to end the support of TTP and aid in extradition of Mullah Fazlullah, the top boss of Tehreek-e-Taliban from Afghanistan. The dismantling of the militancy outfits and their hideouts in Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan were expounded upon by Mr. Achakzai in his phone call.

Contributing Reporter: Atiq Durrani

Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Possible Reactions and Remedies

After several attempts for peace through negotiations and delays of North Waziristan operation, finally, the Government of Pakistan has decided a full fledged Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. This decision has been taken after exhausting the option of negotiations for several months.

Atiq Durrani – PKKH

Polls on different news channels and social media show that most Pakistanis are supporting the military operation against the militants in North Waziristan, but almost the same number of Pakistanis consider this operation as the end of terrorism in Pakistan and may get frustrated with the reaction to this operation by the militants.

It is important to understand that this operation does not mean the end of terrorism in Pakistan, but taking control of this area could play a significant role in reducing the terrorist activities of the militants. The objectives of this operation are to clean this area from militants and take control of this last part of FATA that was not under the control of the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan Army or any other security force was not present there on ground till now. This operation does not mean that after the success of this operation, terrorism will be completely eliminated from Pakistan.

A harsh reaction is expected by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the sleeper cells of different militant organizations in different parts of Pakistan. The government of Pakistan should mentally prepare the people of Pakistan for such reaction.

As the local residents are leaving North Waziristan, it is important that the IDP camps are set up for them in the peaceful areas of FATA but not in the settled areas of KPK, as the militants may flee the territory with the IDPs and spread in other parts of Pakistan.

The border area between FATA and KPK – North Waziristan and other parts of FATA should be sealed by the security forces, so that the militants cannot flee towards the other parts of Pakistan and create tensions in the settled areas or already cleared areas in FATA.

Calculated Military Bashing by Foreign Funded Pakistani Media

By Brig Asif Haroon Raja – Opinion Maker

Indian spin masters in league with other adversaries of Pakistan are deeply involved in bringing a bad name to Pakistan and its premier institutions through a calculated psychological war since 2002. 9/11 had given an opportunity to India to conduct proxy war against Pakistan using Afghan soil. Covert war designed to destabilize Pakistan and force it to accept India as the regional hegemon was supplemented by massive propaganda war aimed at discrediting Pakistan and its premier institutions. Indo-US-Israeli-Western media war was buttressed by a segment of Pak media. Pak Army and ISI, the two bottlenecks in the way of their goals were made the butt of ridicule and slander.

Aysha Saddiqa wrote a highly critical book against Pak Army. Main objective of her book ‘Military Inc-2007’ was to perpetrate friction, cause dissent amongst ranks of armed forces and to encourage revolt. In her jaundiced opinion, Pak Army was the root cause of social disparity and democratic fiasco. Asma Jahangir and her types launched a defamatory campaign to undermine the image of the Army on totally fabricated charges of extra judicial killings in Swat operations. Stories like discovery of mass graves and throwing down militants from helicopters were figment of imagination. Pseudo patriots appear on TV shows and talk crap. Every article published in English newspapers on Pakistani politics portrays late Gen Ziaul Haq negatively and hold him responsible for all the ills in the society. Of late it has become fashionable to badmouth Army chiefs. Hidden objective is to discredit Army as an institution. Gen Musharraf bashing is being done with this aim in view.

Hamid Mir, the leading anchor of Geo TV has always been carrying a grudge against the ISI because his paymasters, America and India, are unhappy with this organization. Following in the footsteps of Indian policy, Mir also puts all the crimes at the doorsteps of Army or ISI. Mir had held ISI responsible for the murder of journalist Saleem Shehzad without furnishing proof. He also painted Ajmal Kasaab who was an Indian to be a Pakistani from Vehari area. US raid in Abbottabad on May 2, 2011 was exploited to the hilt by him. Even now when he is lying in bed recuperating, in response to a TV anchors question, he retorted as to what the Army had done to safeguard its honor on May 2. He has been pursuing missing persons issue in Balochistan frenetically simply because the Supreme Court under Iftikhar Chaudhri had been showing softness towards the separatists, kidnappers and target killers and strictness towards the FC/ ISI laboring hard to safeguard Balochistan. For him, former are saints and latter devils.

India is arming its Army, air defence, navy, air force to teeth. It is purchasing latest weaponry and defence technology from the advanced world and has become the top buyer of arms from Russia, Israel, USA, Britain and France to bolster its military capability. Its defence expenditure is increasing rapidly since 1990. Military muscles are being built to cow down all South Asian States particularly Pakistan and emerge as the unchallenged regional power and a global power. The US is committed to make India a world power. India has never hid its imperialist and expansionist designs and considers Pakistan to be its arch rival and the sole stumbling block in the path of its imperialist ambitions.

Counter Terrorism: Confusing the Nation’s Conscience

Military is clear about their role, “counter the militants of TTP in battle field”. What about civil society? Are they ready to counter them in their homes, streets and markets?

Written by Salman Javed

Narratives, both in favor and against the talks and its speculative outcomes have been put forward by intelligentsia, strategic and security experts.

Later, apparently a belligerent message was given to the premier of Pakistan by the COAS:“time for the peace talks is over”. Why is the Army concerned about the operation? And what is its strategic implication, is another topic to be discussed under a different heading. The purpose of this piece is to highlight the clash of narratives that our society and nation is facing today.

Fact of the day is that there is a time line, which illustrates that TTP has never ceased its activities against the Armed Forces of and the general public of Pakistan. Mohmand Faction’s statements and the activities of Ahrar ul Hind, a shadowy group of TTP have made headlines during the peace talks. And at the same time, Fazlulah, the so called TTP Amir, never made a clear statement about the peace talks.

It seems Peace was never on their agenda!

However, recent developments nailed the coffin of these peace talks shut, when attacks from across the border were carried out on Pakistani check posts by TTP factions. The TTP has also claimed responsibility for several attacks on security personals inside Pakistan. The recent attack in Fateh Jang is one such example.

The dichotomy in the narrative however, still persists. Dominant factor in the national politics is not only advocating but also going to an extent in negotiating terms with the TTP. The TTP on the other hand is sending messages to the masses about dishonest approach of government and intelligence agencies. The nation under influence of such narratives of appeasement towards the TTP is divided in classical pro and anti blocks.

Two extremes have been created by these narratives of different quarters.

– Factions in favor of talks and complete immunity.

– Factions in favor of operation and complete elimination of TTP, along with its sympathizers in the society.

Let us accept it, loud and clear, pro and anti blocks are still in confusion about the ideologicalbackground of the TTP and like factions.

The Anti-bloc is further divided into two confused and opposing sub blocks. One sub block consists of people who are against the religious elements altogether, thus advocating for secularism. The other sub block consists of people claiming to be from the right wing patriots, advocating an Islamic state and opposing TTP mainly because of sectarian issues, thus narrowing down the counter-terrorism activities scope and allowing a completely lose focus on its ideological and strategic implications internally and externally.