Pakistan divided over how to deal with terrorist threat
20 October, 2012
LAHORE: Despite the outrage over the Taliban's shooting of teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, Pakistan's government has failed to gather enough support for a military operation against the extremists believed to be behind the attack, Voice of America reports. The political divisions in the country over what to do with militants living within its borders remain as strong as ever despite the national shock over the attack, the report notes, adding that political leaders continue to squabble over what to do about the Taliban militants behind the attack. The VoA referred to the ruling Pakistan People's Party's attempt this week to table a resolution in parliament that referred to a military operation in Waziristan. Opposition party leaders and the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman shot the idea down. PML-N representative Saddiqul Farooq said his party refused to back the move because such an operation now would displace millions and push the extremists to more violence. "We have to deal with this issue with reason, not with military might, military might will be part of that reasonable formula – that if by presenting them very acceptable positive and constructive conditions, if they don't come to terms, then we can use force," VoA quotes Farooq. He says the presence of international forces in Afghanistan and the Pakistani government's position as an official ally of the US is inciting attacks on Pakistani soil. Once the US and coalition troops leave Afghanistan, the Pakistan Taliban will no longer have a reason to attack, he asserts. The report quotes analyst Ayesha Siddiqa as saying that despite the shock of the attack on Malala there is no agreement between the government and the opposition on a consensus to fight the militants. What resulted, she says, is not much more than political melodrama. "What is not happening here, is people coming together and saying, whatever the source of violence, we have to put an end to it. We have to put an end to sacrificing our soldiers, our children, our men and women. That is not happening," Siddiqa is reported as saying. So far, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has announced a $1 million bounty for the Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, who announced the Taliban was responsible for the attack on Malala. End.
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Reader Comments:
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Not divided, but cautious and defensive |
Pakistan has done more than its share to mitigate terror as no one likes terror. But, there are some intricacies that could embroil Paks into worse i.e war or even WW3 if Paks do not go defensive and more careful.
I have just come back to Canada after my 3 months trip( I made two such trips within past one year).To avoid bigger war(much much worse than sufferings from terror hits), Paks seem to be peace prodded as they know that a new world order is taking place with Russia and China united sitting as much competitive visa vis America.
Paks appeared to be not taking any sides in supper power tussles of creating world orders. Paks know that they have smaller country and are incapacited ( with size and might constrictions and constraints). Paks are playing safe game with no big egoes and ambitions as peace is the number one priority for Paks.
America, Russia and China must appreciate the peace laden policies of Paks and these timid or careful and cautionary stand of Paks(even if Paks are divided) is the insurance against the looming WW3 war clouds around due to number one in the world geo-strategical location of Pakistan.
Paks hate all kinds of wars and they love global peace. A bleeding leg from terror may not after all be near as bad as sure annihilation from WW3.
PAKS WISH AND LOVE PEACE FOR AMERICA, RUSSIA, CHINA AND ALL NATIONS AND THE WORLD MUST APPRECIATE PAKS ON THAT. LONG LIVE WORLD PEACE AND THE NOBLE EFFORTS OF PAKS TO MITIGATE THE CAUSES THAT CAN LEAD TO BIGGER WAR TRAGEDY FOR ALL HUMANITY. PAKS ARE CLEARLY KEEPING THE MEGA DANGERS AWAY BY GIVING ENOUGH AND ADEQUATE SACRIFICES OF THEIR OWN JUST TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM WW3 TO HAPPEN.
Anwar Mahmood, Canada - 25 October, 2012
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