Taliban’ haughtiness and government’s cowardice

Where did the Taliban come from?

The myths about the Taliban need to be clarified. They are not an extension of an external threat, they are not being funded by Russia or India. In the 1990s, the Taliban in Afghanistan were fighting the Northern Alliance, and thousands of Pashtuns went to fight as foot soldiers on behalf of the Taliban. In 2001, the Afghan Taliban fled to Pakistan. Pakistani Taliban, who previously had little clout, became hosts of the Afghan Taliban and earned much money for their assistance. From 2001 to 2004, the Pakistani Taliban grew in numbers and influence and became radicalized because of their proximity to the Afghan Taliban. They planned and mobilized to establish a Taliban ‘emirate’ or state in Fata and the expansion of that idea of statehood is what we see happening today.

Pakistani Taliban Expanding

Taliban were launched in the era of PPP’s government in early 1990s, when Benazir Bhutto was the Prime Minister and Major General Naseerullah Khan Babar was the interior minister of Pakistan. The leadership of the Taliban is now in Pakistan and they have stated their intention of overthrowing the government here. The Taliban are linking up with groups in Pakistan and the Pakistani Taliban movement is turning into a multiethnic movement. Groups cultivated to fight in Kashmir have joined up with the Pakistani Taliban, and include Punjabis with organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harkatul Mujahideen. Now, some 40 groups in Pakistan are loosely affiliated with the Pakistan – the several years of progressive diplomacy with India exacerbated the rise of different Taliban-affiliated factions. For that reason, Pakistan faces a more dangerous situation than Afghanistan, where Tajik and Uzbek fighters were not permitted to join the Afghan Taliban movement.

Issues in Pakistani governance

Pakistan is also weaker because of raging economic crises, the ongoing insurgency in Baluchistan, and a political crisis. The PMLN government has wasted one year vying with the Peace Talks game for power rather than tackling the Taliban threat. Meanwhile, PTI, which was supposed to serve as the face of Frontier province, has collapsed (PTI officials are often seen sympathizing with TTP).

After 2007/2008, when military operations did begin in Fata, the government pursued a stop-and-go policy, which involved several peace deals that did not hold. In the meantime, the Pakistan government and army failed to protect the people of the Fata and the traditional tribal hierarchies that were pro-Pakistan. About 300 Maliks of tribes were killed and by 2009, there were half a million refugees from Fata in Pakistan. Having lost the goodwill of the population in Fata, the government will find it hard to reenter the area and rebuild traditional tribal structures.

Peace-talk and Ceasefire

While addressing to the session of National Assembly after six month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the peace talk with Taliban despite the attacks, naming a four-member committee to facilitate the peace talk.

Almost after a month of peace talk announcement Taliban militants claimed to have killed 23 FC soldiers and released their video message by saying “Despite the ongoing talks, the government and intelligence agencies are not serious about bringing peace to Pakistan,” said Omer Khurasani. “The government and intelligence agencies martyred our 23 comrades during this dialogue process. In response, we’ve killed the 23 FC personnel. We have also released the video of the 23 FC personnel.”

After that the military strikes continues on the militants’ hideouts in North Waziristan following the Taliban’s slaughtering of the FC soldiers and the recent attacks on the Security check posts. Air force jets have been pounding suspected terrorist camps since then, which also killed several militant commanders.

The Pakistani Taliban has announced that the group will observe a one-month ceasefire as part of efforts to negotiate a peace deal with the government. After the TTP ceasefire, Chaudhry Nisar, in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel, formally announced the suspension of surgical strikes against the group.

Eleven people including a judge were killed on 3^rd March 2014 in a gun and suicide bomb attack on a court in Islamabad. The Pakistani Taliban denied any connection to the attack, which came two days after the militants announced a month-long ceasefire aimed at restarting stalled peace talks with the government.

Ceasefire announcement and political parties’ response

The country’s major political factions except MQM and ANP welcoming the announcement of ceasefire by TTP have termed it as positive and result-oriented step. Two major political parties ANP and MQM have slightly hinted doubts over the intentions of TTP.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain demanded “a full and thorough” investigation into the attacks on Islamabad District and Sessions Court. “Although an unknown group Ahrar-ul-Hind has claimed the responsibility of the attacks, a majority of the Pakistanis believe this is a fake organisation and these attacks were carried out by Taliban. Taliban do not want to take the blame for the attacks,” Altaf Hussain said in a statement.

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) held a big rally in Karachi to show solidarity with the Pakistan army, rangers and police who are fighting Taliban militants.

MQM staged a large rally in Karachi to show its Solidarity with Defenders of Pakistan against Taliban

Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said that “Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) made a fool out of the federal government by announcing a fake ceasefire to enter Islamabad.”

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said that the United States does not want peace in Pakistan, adding that the US is backing the organisations which are against Pakistan.“US does not want peace in Pakistan until they withdraw their forces from Afghanistan,” Khan said. He added “A full-scale operation would have resulted in more destruction and the death of innocent people.”

Sunni Tehreek shout slogans as they demand a military operation against Taliban, during a protest rally in Lahore

Regional strategy

We Pakistanis are very concerned about the state of our homeland. We want to send a very clear message to all state institutions that we say NO to the Talibanisation. Under no circumstances, can the sovereignty of Pakistan be attacked in this way. This applies also to the constant drone attacks that are taking place. We urge the democratically elected Government to fulfill their duty and follow the will of the people. The will of the people is for the Government to enforce the writ of the state throughout the country, in all provinces. Rule of law applies to all, not just to some.

Action must be taken against the Taliban.

 

Originally published on Pakistan Tribe.

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Inside-out corruption of Imran Khan

If we say that whatever mandate PTI got in the general elections last year was solely because of Imran Khan’s firm and clear stand against the corruption, it wouldn’t be wrong. The educated and privileged youth of the country went to support Imran only because of the promises he made, during his election campaign. But as we reflect on the track record of PTI and Imran Khan we only witness ‘Change’. Not exactly the change which Imran promised to the nation but a change that nobody could have imagined in his worst of nightmares.

Starting from Taliban apology to blocking NATO supplies and then representing TTP unofficially Imran Khan has always let down his followers. That is the basic reason, Imran seems to be losing the fan base that he gathered up in the last five to six years in a matter of months. His supporters and voters seem to be losing hope in him and the youth especially first-time voters have been left in limbo with nowhere else to go.

There was nothing surprising about Imran’s ascent in the political arena. People were tired of the same old faces, the same broken promises and needed a new ideal to latch on to. Consequently, most people followed Imran blindly, without giving any consideration to his political agenda and his views on important national issues. They gave him a ‘prophetical’ status, rallied for him, enrolled in the ‘Tabdeeli Razakar’ program and did what any patriotic Pakistani would have done. However, what the patriots did not realize was that the hype around Imran would soon fizzle out and things would go back to ground zero.

The most recent corruption scandal that has jolted the roots of PTI and placed a big question mark of Imran Khan’s character, is the missing 3 million USD, which were collected in the name of membership fund from the overseas Pakistanis, and no one knows what Imran did with the money. This news could be taken as authentic because the scam is revealed by a founding member of PTI itself, who claims that Imran Khan has misused his powers to such an extent that now he doesn’t have any other option left but to unmask the real Imran Khan.

Perhaps Imran and his supporters need to travel back in time and assess when things started falling apart.

Flash back:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was making waves and both, the young and old were flocking together to join the latest craze that was Imran Khan. He won the hearts of many with his charisma, fiery speeches, promises for a better Pakistan and open challenges to Mian Sahib and Zardari. He ignited political fervor in the rural areas as well as the urban, in the young as well as the old, in the illiterate as well as the educated.

Attending a PTI jalsa became the thing to do and people did only in the hope of seeing a changed Pakistan. PTI supporters wreaked havoc on social media too and a word against Imran would bring a barrage of insults your way. Then came May 11, 2013, when people woke up with hope in their eyes and patriotism in their hearts. Pakistani expatriates flew all the way to Pakistan to cast votes in favor of PTI and Imran, hoping for a change. He was claimed to be the only savior for this nation.

Where did things go wrong :

It is now clear that Imran Khan lacks political foresight and flexibility. His first major mistake was to lock horns with none other than the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). A little understanding, seat adjustment and alliance with the largest political party in Karachi could have given PTI a chance to establish itself and implement its manifesto which, by the way, was very much in line with the manifesto of MQM.

Imran was over-confident and thoroughly mistaken in assuming that he would be an overnight success in Karachi alone. Rigging or no rigging, PTI failed to cause any considerable dent in the vote bank of MQM, and the following by-elections, under surveillance of the army, gave credence to the fact that PTI was losing its popularity fast in this part of Pakistan.

His second crucial blunder was to team up with the Taliban and support their recent demand for opening up offices for the militants. His main stream followers are mostly educated elite and students, who cannot under any circumstances, support this stance, and this is fast causing a slump in his popularity.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where PTI enjoys complete control, has seen no improvement and there seems to be no proper road map laid down by the chief minister and his team. Instead, the blood-thirsty Taliban are being given an opportunity to further implement their agendas.

What makes matters worse is that Imran Khan is running the show as a dictator, and even his own party members are not privy to his policies and decisions. Just recently, a statement made by Khan regarding the opening of a Taliban office has been completely disowned by his party member, Asad Umar who claimed that this was a personal wish of the Khan, and does not reflect the party’s official view.

Imran Khan who once rallied against nepotism, is now giving priority to the relatives and friends of main stream PTI leaders over common workers, for different party positions. it seems that PTI has become like any conventional Pakistani political party where affiliations are preferred over merit.

Suggestions for damage control:

It is obvious that PTI needs damage control and needs it fast. Instead of crying over rigged cases, PTI founding members need to set up an internal audit of the party funds and if Imran Khan pleads guilty in the corruption scam, he should resign from the party chairman as per his promise or PTI CEC should sack him for misusing his powers, which seems to be the only way out for the PTI. Because if PTI will not follow the policy of self accountability, then its quite obvious that Imran Khan will take the party to a new low and the dreams of PTI Youth will be shatters forever.

Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country. Karl Marx

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Why PTI accuses MQM ?‏

“Propaganda is that branch of the art of lying which consists in nearly deceiving your friends without quite deceiving your enemies.” – Francis Cornford.

If we go back to the previous government and analyze how PPP diverted the media and people from their bad governance then we don’t see the much difference between PPP and PTI strategy. It was not too long ago when Zulfiqar Mirza of PPP was selected to create the diversion of public through press conferences against MQM. Zulfiqar Mirza alleged Altaf Hussain with the killings in Karachi and 12th May incident and also went to London with suitcase full of so called evidences. And for few months Khan is practicing the same strategy by accusing MQM chief by putting different fake allegations and spitting poison against the most popular and beloved leader of urban Sindh, who is head and shoulders above than a play boy turned politician like Imran Khan.

Imran Khan is also responsible for instigating hatred through fake propaganda against his political rivals. He is the same man who used to yell like a mad man at Shahbaz Sharif during his election campaigns, but soon after he regained his lost love for Sharif brothers and started to bash Altaf Hussain, Imran developed this habit during his cricket days when he used to sledge his opponents to divert their attention but as years past there are still no signs of maturity in Imran Khan.

On the other hand PTI supporters are themselves responsible for the criticism that Imran Khan draws for his colorful personal life. The reason being PTI supporters show least respect to the leaders of other political parties and resort to calling them names, now this may be attributed to lack of political maturity which they inherit from their leader Imran Khan, over enthusiasm or utter frustration for the apparent failure of their leader to come clean. How on earth can you preach the world to come clean/declare assets when you yourself are scared to go through a simple DNA test? If you are sure you have not done anything wrong then have the test done and shut your opponents up forever.

On the other hand, Media persons and some well-known TV anchors faced an ugly barrage of abuse on social media sites by ‘PTI trolls’, this large section of the Imran Khan fan club shower’s anybody with a wide range of Urdu, Punjabi and English abuses if it believes that person has criticized Khan or his party.

PTI social media team uses harsh and abusive words against CJP on Facebook and Twitter.

Whatever may be the reason behind this disrespectful attitude of PTI supporters, it is shocking, because PTI claims to be the voice of educated youth. The only reason that I can think of for this lack of mannerism from PTI supporters is that building the character of workers/supporters is the responsibility of the leadership. A political party draws people from different walks of life, it is necessary to formulate a code of conduct and guide your workers about it for proper implementation. MQM frequently holds “Tarbiyati Nishists” and other such activities for its workers. MQM’s leader never addresses his opponents with “Tum” in his speeches; he used the word Sahab out for respect for opponents like “Nawaz Sharif”, whereas Mr. Khan does not care about such minor actions that can only earn him respect.

PTI supporters argue that their political party is attracting deprived masses and that is the reason for chaos at its public meeting, if this argument is accepted, you have to wonder if MQM’s public meetings are attended by super humans. Since its inception in 1984, the MQM is known for its discipline. Like PTI, MQM also represents deprived masses, despite this the first public meeting at Nishter park took place under heavy showers, yet no indiscipline was witnessed. The reason is simple, the central leadership of MQM has always been disciplined, and they believe in “practice what you preach”

Almost the entire central leadership comes from middle and lower middle class, even the most senior leaders are seen sitting on the floor on stage during public meetings, indicating to the masses that leaders and masses are equal, so this discipline of leadership has a trickle down effect on its workers and supporters. It is this discipline that the MQM manages to hold huge public gatherings at short notices, notices that sometimes are as short as 18 hours. On the other hand Tsunami Khan though claims to champion the cause of masses; he relies on ultra rich politicians who obviously cannot relate to the problems of an ordinary citizen. I bet Mr. Khan and his lot of “senior citizen youngsters” would consider it a disgrace to sit on the floor of the stage.

This is a sheer leadership failure that even the most loyal of supporters are reluctant to work in the filed, this is when PTI has never faced state oppression, imagine what would be the reaction of its supporters if PTI faces same kind of state oppression that MQM faced, I am sure PTI’s supporters would not dare to take the name of PTI in their dreams even. What is it that makes MQM supporters turn in large numbers in its public meetings? What is it that makes people vote for MQM despite so much negative propaganda? What is it that hundreds of thousands of people listen to the speech of its leader with exemplary discipline? What is it that despite numerous state operations and killing of thousands of workers and supporters by rivals, people are still willing to be a part of MQM? All this is because the leadership of MQM has instilled discipline in its cadre their elected representatives are common people, who are within the reach of masses.

I only feel sorry for the supporters of PTI, all this hype against MQM and its founding leader Altaf Hussain is nothing more than a bubble, we saw that before the general polls as well and now we are witnessing this Tsunami in the cup of tea again. At that time also the Tsunami Khan had made tall claims against MQM and its leadership, claims that remain claims only till date. There is simply no comparison between MQM and PTI. PTI needs to do a lot of soul searching before challenging a rival having such a large and dedicated cadre of workers as MQM.

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Romance between PTI and PPP

If I say that Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan’s politics is as unpredictable as the game of ‘Cricket’ it won’t be wrong.  He has made so many u-turn since he reentered with his Tsunamic entry into mainstream politics in 2010. Now people have started wondering why his name hasn’t been inducted in the Guinness book of world records yet, for taking most number of U-turns in his controversial political career .

Excluding Imran Khan’s long list of personal love affairs, his party PTI has also been in romance with almost all the parties for one reason or another. Most recently PPP has been contacted by PTI for their support in the upcoming local government elections to fight their common enemy PMLN in the provinces of KPK and Punjab. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t long ago when the Chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari used very harsh words against chairman PTI, when he called Imran Khan as TTP apologist and awarded him with the title of ‘Buzdil Khan’ (a coward). In addition to that Bilawal also accused Imran Khan of supporting TTP and called PTI as their political wing, while reacting to the controversial statements of PPP’s chairman the Information Secretary of PTI Shireen Mazari called Baby Bhutto as a ‘spoiled brat’.

If we look back on the series of events which have led to this highly unexpected development we will find that since the days of his election campaign Imran Khan had maintained a firm stand on PPP’s corruption.  It was Imran himself who used to call ex PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as Raja Rental and promised his potential voters that he will trial Mr. 10% (Zardari) the day he comes in power.  It seemed impossible that Imran Khan and PTI would ever join hands with the party that according to his statement is the most corrupt party in Pakistan ,PPP.

But as they say everything is fair in love and war, Imran’s love for power has brought him closer to PPP now and even knowing the fact that how PPP has patronized PAC (banned terrorist group from Lyari). PAC has blood of hundreds of innocent Karachiites on their hands and majorly responsible for the law and order mess in Karachi. He has undermined all these facts for his increasing lust for power.

On the other hand PPP, whose leadership was calling Imran a traitor and coward just few days ago has once again proven that there is no match for their reconciliation ( for power) politics. Does it mean that for PPP, Imran has turned into a brave leader from a coward one? Now they might support him in his promised NATO supply line blockage on 20th Nov, which may result in further destabilization of country’s political and economic condition, but who cares as I stated in the above paragraph ‘everything is fair, in love and war (on terror).’

If we look at PTI’s politics in KPK, it’s no less than a nightmare for the people of KPK and seems like nothing has changed for the better in KPK. More than 200 people have lost their lives but KPK Government thinks that infusing the syllabus of Islamiat (Islamic studies) with the doctrine of Jihad is comparatively more important than saving the lives of the civilians, who have been mercilessly left on the mercy of TTP’s peace ambassadors. I am not saying it myself, these are the words of Imran Khan who called a top notch terrorist of Al-Qaeda Wali ur Rehman  a peace activist.

Another thing which makes the situation even worse in KPK is the on-going competition for the best TTP apologist between Imran Khan, Munawar Hassan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman. They all seem to be in a hurry to make TTP happy for unknown reasons, may be they know that what TTP, did to ANP might happen to them as well.

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Security threat & upcoming elections ..

All major political and religious parties have shown rare unity to call on the country’s election commission to ensure fair, transparent and accessible general elections.

On the other hand Ehsanullah Ehsan, the TTP spokesperson has claimed that the government didn’t show seriousness about negotiations with the Taliban. TTP several times offered government and LEA’s to have a talk.Several parties organized some conferences to have a talk with TTP but never showed their efforts. Given that the TTP offer of talks coincided with a wave of militant violence, it never really appeared to be a meaningful offer.

Just after the government and LEA’s failed to agree with TTP, Ehsanullah Ehsan’s warning to the public to stay away from electoral activities because the TTP had already made it clear that it regards elections as un-Islamic and that it will target SECULAR politicians during the campaign. Just after the threat from TTP, both candidates and voters are on target in different areas such as Fata and some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab and Karachi.

TTP spokesperson said, “Voters must stay at home”.

At one side the Supreme Court and ECP orders LEA’s to provide security for voters and election commission staff, but both Supreme Court and Government have failed to control the law and order situation in Pakistan.

The Pakistani nation and its people can’t be held hostage by the terror tactics of TTP. I agree that the offer for talks was just a cunning political ploy. The Pakistani army should beat them to the mountains and keep them busy there.

The people should get activated and make civic social security arrangements to assess the army and the care taker government.Time has come to hit hard the murderers of innocent people. The army has the will and expertise to tackle this menace. Election commission has already asked the army to help in fair election.

Law enforcement agencies are also on the target of TTP. Now the scene has changed dramatically, common people were relying on them but now they need some protection as well.

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