Lahore attack: Save Pakistan
March 30th, 2009
Will this flag keep flying high?
Things are moving from bad to worse in Pakistan. From a daily report of bomb blasts and suicide attacks at some place or the other in the country the terrorists have now graduated on to taking hostages in cities. This clearly shows the confidence which these terrorists enjoy wherein they are now seeking to engage the security forces instead of ‘hit and run’ tactics which they employed earlier. Also, today’s attack on the Police Academy in Lahore coming close on the heels of the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers is symbolic of the kind of reach these terrorists have. Just a few a days back I’d written in my posts Lankan cricketers attacked: Pakistan slipping into chaos and Pakistan’s deal with terrorists is justified that these terrorists have capabilities to strike anywhere in Pakistan. I was not way off the mark. Was I?
Pertinent to talk here about the new Obama’s Af-Pak policy wherein he has linked aid with performance against these terrorists. Apart from this he has not really given any more combat troops to the area (not to include 4000 troops who will be sent to train Afghanistan’s security forces). While the extra aid is a welcome step towards helping Pakistan recover financially that still leaves the question of Pakistan having inadequate troops to fight Taliban. That is a grim reality which I talked about at length when I wrote Pakistan’s deal with terrorists is justified. Unfortunately, the current plan does not change this basic fact, as a result of which we see the Pak authorities engaging in peace deals with Taliban. In my sincere opinion there has to be an International Counter Terrorist Organization which has to be constituted to fight Al Qaeda and Taliban in Pakistan. The situation is absolutely ripe for such an action. Now I know that Pakis will not be so easily convinced to let such a force operate on it’s territory. But that question is secondary. The primary question is whether the international community is ready to come together to fight this monster or not. And this is where the Americans have to work to create a consensus on this very important issue. I also acknowledge the fact that there are lot of countries which will refuse to be part of a US or NATO led force (for example Russia and China, although I don’t for-see Indian troops being part of it for obvious reasons). To address this technicality the force may well be constituted under the aegis of United Nations. This will give all the legitimacy that may be required to make Russia and China to be a part of this force. Russia, on it’s part, has already indicated that they are ready to help. It’s just a matter of the Americans giving away their primary stakeholder status in this ‘war on terror’. Having said this, I’ll also admit that it is not so very easy for America to let go. But it can be done, however difficult it might seem.
Once the question of constituting such a force has been addressed satisfactorily, the Pak govt can then be talked into letting this force take on responsibilities alongside the Pak army. You see, if this force is operating under the aegis of UN, both the Pak govt and the citizens of Pakistan, would be more amicable to letting them share their burdens. Financially too it would be a big boost to the economy of Pakistan. As they say, this is surely ‘doable’. The only question that remains unanswered is- whether the international community has the will to do it or not? Unfortunately, I do not have a straight forward answer to that. After all, it’s not rocket science. It’s just plain and simple logic. These so called ’security experts’ ought to have figured this out long ago. Why haven’t they done so? I’ve no idea at all.
Coming back to the attack in Lahore today, I must congratulate the security forces of Pakistan who have managed to restore peace and normalcy with utmost urgency and least amount of bloodshed. A job well done. Hope they succeed in their fight against terrorism in rest of the country too, with or without external assistance. All the very best!!!
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April 1st, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Very good issues brought by you in your post here. But you have to understand that it will not be very easy for even an international force under UN to be allowed to fight Taliban inside Pakistan. Muslims as a race will take it as an affront against their religion.
Not just this the political establishment will not be allowed to continue in office if they give permission to such a force.
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April 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 am
I'm a Pakistani. Though the points which you talk about have some merit but there is no way any international force being allowed in our country. I know we have problems but i'm sure we can handle it.
Tell me. India also has lot of terrorists in their country (including hindu terrorists) will you allow any outside force in your country. So please forget about it.
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!
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August 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
PAKISTAN armed forces can handel these kind of terriest, so there is no need of any forigen forces in PAKISTAN.... we can handel it.............!
PAKISTAN ZINDA BAAAD...............!
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