LESSONS FROM PAKISTAN: OVERCOMING THE INSURGENCY
Dr. Tanvir Orakzai
August 10, 2006
The situation in NWFP tribal belt is changing mainly due to initiatives taken by President Mushraff and the newly appointed Governor NWFP Gen (R) Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai. The shift in policy has been the introduction of various incentives. This carrot and stick policy has been working well; and the result is ceasefire which was long awaited, a situation far different from Afghanistan. Learning the lesson from its neighbour Afghanistan, President Mushraff resorted to dialogue. Gen (R) Orakzai being a tribal chief knowing the psychology of the tribesmen involved all the affected parties; especially the maliks and elders offering them several incentives. Prior to the ceasefire, there has been intensive fighting going on in the North Waziristan. The fighting resulted in killing of hundreds of militants, but the causalities also included countless innocent tribesmen. The crisis worked as a catalyst for the militants to gather sympathies and push their agenda forward. Major-General Benjamin Freakley who is the US senior commander in Afghanistan mentioned that the militants' ceasefire reflects pressure on the Taliban. He further added that “this is an overall effect of Pakistan military”.
It has been agreed by many sources that despite high casualty rate among the Taliban, offensive for the NATO is becoming complicated than anticipated. There have been greater numbers of combatant deaths in Afghanistan in the last two months compared to the last four years. Even though hundreds of Taliban have been killed in air strikes, yet the death toll is high even among the civilian population. The rise in attacks is due to many factors. One main reason is political; the Afghan government is living in denial of enemy with in. Thus in government eyes, there are no Afghani militants; and even if there is some acceptance of the problem the blame is easily put on Pakistan. Another issue is change in the public mood. The people of Afghanistan hailed US invasion in the beginning, but life has little changed for a common man. The natural result is dwindling support for US among Afghani people.
Another main reason has been the rising casualties among the civilians which have been kept under the carpet by collation forces. Despite the rising death toll international media has not acknowledged the misery of civilian killings in Afghanistan. Instead of help, the local population find every day a new struggle where the only thing they receive from Kabul is destruction of their homes and children. Today Afghanistan is embroiled in civil war among the drug lords whose activities have risen notoriously after US invasion. A report published by Senlis Council has mentioned that even though the Afghan government has banned opium cultivation, but today Afghanistan drug export has risen from 56 percent in Taliban regime to 72 percent in President Karzai era.
The Pakistani administration initially followed US brute force strategy which didn’t work due to many weaknesses. For example random searching and bombing of homes, disregard for women, local elders and the local traditions; all of which are a way of life for tribesmen. The people who were once loyal to the government rose in revolt to restore their honour and prestige. The situation was a new challenge for President Mushraff who could not afford to loose another part of Pakistan in the fire of hatred and revenge. It was natural to come up with new solution and new remedy is introduction of Jirga (Tribal Elders Meetings) introduced by Gen (R) Orakzai. The initial conditions set for the Jirga were too idealistic, for example withdrawal of soldiers in a month’s time. However there are genuine demands, such as restoration of privileges jobs and salaries of the tribal employees, which are crucial to move the peace process forward. There may be some hardliners in US administration who perhaps would consider this step lenient for the militants, but the truth is that 80,000 Pakistani army personals are keeping the lid tight over the militants and Taliban; a fact acknowledged by the US commander in Afghanistan.
Justice is the chief asset in any society to settle advantages and responsibilities between individuals and groups. The distribution of justice needs an executing body to make and enforce laws and contracts, re-distribute wealth and tax, punish the evil and award the innocent. Pakistani government has reiterated its resolve to restore law and order; and undertake massive developmental projects in the tribal belt; however more action is needed than a mere resolve. The tribal people deserve to have respect and acceptance from their government which means respecting them and their way of life and then demand responsibility and loyalty.
It has been agreed by many sources that despite high casualty rate among the Taliban, offensive for the NATO is becoming complicated than anticipated. There have been greater numbers of combatant deaths in Afghanistan in the last two months compared to the last four years. Even though hundreds of Taliban have been killed in air strikes, yet the death toll is high even among the civilian population. The rise in attacks is due to many factors. One main reason is political; the Afghan government is living in denial of enemy with in. Thus in government eyes, there are no Afghani militants; and even if there is some acceptance of the problem the blame is easily put on Pakistan. Another issue is change in the public mood. The people of Afghanistan hailed US invasion in the beginning, but life has little changed for a common man. The natural result is dwindling support for US among Afghani people.
Another main reason has been the rising casualties among the civilians which have been kept under the carpet by collation forces. Despite the rising death toll international media has not acknowledged the misery of civilian killings in Afghanistan. Instead of help, the local population find every day a new struggle where the only thing they receive from Kabul is destruction of their homes and children. Today Afghanistan is embroiled in civil war among the drug lords whose activities have risen notoriously after US invasion. A report published by Senlis Council has mentioned that even though the Afghan government has banned opium cultivation, but today Afghanistan drug export has risen from 56 percent in Taliban regime to 72 percent in President Karzai era.
The Pakistani administration initially followed US brute force strategy which didn’t work due to many weaknesses. For example random searching and bombing of homes, disregard for women, local elders and the local traditions; all of which are a way of life for tribesmen. The people who were once loyal to the government rose in revolt to restore their honour and prestige. The situation was a new challenge for President Mushraff who could not afford to loose another part of Pakistan in the fire of hatred and revenge. It was natural to come up with new solution and new remedy is introduction of Jirga (Tribal Elders Meetings) introduced by Gen (R) Orakzai. The initial conditions set for the Jirga were too idealistic, for example withdrawal of soldiers in a month’s time. However there are genuine demands, such as restoration of privileges jobs and salaries of the tribal employees, which are crucial to move the peace process forward. There may be some hardliners in US administration who perhaps would consider this step lenient for the militants, but the truth is that 80,000 Pakistani army personals are keeping the lid tight over the militants and Taliban; a fact acknowledged by the US commander in Afghanistan.
Justice is the chief asset in any society to settle advantages and responsibilities between individuals and groups. The distribution of justice needs an executing body to make and enforce laws and contracts, re-distribute wealth and tax, punish the evil and award the innocent. Pakistani government has reiterated its resolve to restore law and order; and undertake massive developmental projects in the tribal belt; however more action is needed than a mere resolve. The tribal people deserve to have respect and acceptance from their government which means respecting them and their way of life and then demand responsibility and loyalty.
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