Turbat incidents Expose Baloch Miscreants’ Cruelties

Sajjad Shaukat

As a result of the elections 2013, the government led by a nationalist leader Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has been established. Being progressive and moderate man, he ensured that socio-economic justice would meet with success, while playing a key role in empowering Baloch leaders to manage the affairs of their province and also to participate in Pakistan’s decision-making process. And on December 7, 2013; local bodies elections were largely held in a peaceful manner in Balochistan.While terror-acts still keep on going in Balochistan, but without grasping reality, and speaking in the tone of external entities, some politicians, human rights activists and media persons of Pakistan have been propagating against Pak Army, Frontier Constabulary (FC), country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) including other law-enforcing agencies regarding subversive acts in the province. It seems ridiculous when some of them allegedly say that security agencies are behind terrorist activities in Balochistan. 

It is mentionable that India, the US and Israel have been internationalizing the Balochistan issue in accordance with their secret designs. In this respect, in connivance with the Baloch separatist leaders who have taken refuge in Switzerland, Sweden, US and London, these foreign elements use media, various NGOs and human rights organizations for false propaganda against Pakistan’s security forces and ISI in relation to extrajudicial killings, mutilated bodies and the missing persons.It is notable that Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is also in collusion with some US Congressmen to get foreign support so as to animate the scheme of separatism in Balochistan. For the purpose, BLA and the Baloch feudal lord, Khan of Kalat had planned to take the issue of Balochistan to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and expected that India would pay $2.4 million lawyers’ fee to contest their case in ICJ. As Indian support did not get materialized, BLA and Khan of Kalat went over to US leaders to press forward their case. 

In February 8, 2012, three Republican Congressmen including Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King tabled a bill before US Congress stating, “Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own. In Pakistani Balochistan the people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings.” The bill favoured Baloch rights of self-determination, having a sovereign state. Earlier, the US subcommittee on ‘Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ convened a hearing on extrajudicial killings and violation of human rights in Baluchistan. Rohrabacher chaired the meeting, while Lt. Col. (R) Ralph Peters testified.  Lt. Col. (R) Peters is the architect of infamous 2006—New Middle East map and is an advocator for the disintegration of Muslim states on sectarian and religious lines. His map shows a number of Islamic countries including Pakistan as truncated. While writing in the June 2006 issue of The Armed Forces Journal of the US, he had suggested Washington about the creation of a “Greater Balochistan” which would integrate the Baloch areas of Pakistan with those of Iran—and the Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa) should be incorporated into Afghanistan.”

Although the US Administration quickly distanced itself from Congressional hearing by Rohrabacher and Peters’ testimony, yet US denial does not augur well with ground reality, as American think tanks, NGOs and websites go on instigating the separatist elements in Baluchistan. US State Department which funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Voice of Baluchistan (VOB) have been instrumental in fomenting dissension and nationalistic feelings in the province. It has been pressurizing Pakistan to allow opening of a US consulate in Quetta. The aim is to execute America’s clandestine aims against Islamabad. As regards the deteriorating situation of Balochistan and the missing persons, everyone knows the foreign-backed separatist groups such as the BLA, Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and their affiliated outfits including another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province get logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW—these miscreants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. They also massacred many persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings and sectarian violence. Therefore, they are responsible for dumped bodies and extrajudicial killings in the province. On a number of occasions, these militant outfits claimed responsibility for their subversive acts. 

In fact, miscreants in Balochistan employ coercive techniques and cruel methods to intimidate local people to expand their influence and enlarge their support base. Their oppressive tactics are extremely harsh, as they cruelly kill innocent people and throw away the dead bodies to inflict psychological pain to the bereaved families, impersonating their frightening clout and masquerading posture. These ruthless killers demonstrate their real mischief by shifting the blame of their heinous crimes to law-enforcement agencies including FC, MI and ISI. Hence, by playing the double game, they manage to conceal their brutalities, and present themselves as victims. Unfortunately, due to their vested interests and insular mindset, some media analysts and political leaders of Pakistan fall prey to the elusive schemes and deceptive plans of the Baloch miscreants. In this regard, investigative media, judiciary and elite leadership have not been able to uncover the real designs of the militants who frequently assassinate innocent civilians in Balochistan through cruel techniques, and then openly grumble through media by insinuating that security forces and law-enforcing agencies are responsible for such killings. 

In this respect, illegal abduction and cold blooded murder of the 14 years young boy, namely, Chakkar, son of Khuda Dost, resident of Turbat city, is a case in point. On January 7, 2014 at 4 PM, a group of unknown motorcyclists kidnapped Chakkar from Turbat city’s fish market. After three days, his bullet-ridden body was found from Kech Kour-Koshkalat area of Turbat, and handed over to his family. Later on, the miscreants propagated that ISI was involved in abduction and killing of an innocent child. But, technical probe, undoubtedly, proved that miscreants of the BRA were involved in kidnapping and merciless killing of that young boy. After knowing the true picture of the incident, on January 16, 2014, a protest demonstration was staged by family members and relatives of the late Chakkar at the Main Chowk in Turbat in front of Press Club Turbat, District Kech. 

The aggrieved protesters chanted slogans against BLF and BRA for targeting guiltless people. They demanded from the government to eliminate terrorist organizations which have been targeting innocent persons of Mekran Division and are disturbing law and order situation in the area. Another similar demonstration was held on January 18, 2014 at Press Club Turbat by the relatives of Javed, resident of Azian, Tehsil Tump, District Kech, who was also killed by the Baloch miscreants of the BLF on December 21, 2013 in Hochat area, Tehsil Dasht, District Kech. Besides, on November 27, 2013, in Turbat, District Kech, Abdul Karim from Zehri (Khuzdar) was abducted by the BRA culprits and his body was thrown away on November 28, 2013. The poor fellow was a popcorn seller, but was eliminated by trigger-happy and power hungry culprits of the BRA. Similarly, on November 12, 2013 in Turbat city, four miscreants of the BRA murdered two sweepers and fled away. Both the deceased persons were government servants, employed at Technical Training Centre Turbat and belonged to Sindh.

While, on November 14, 2013, the cruel insurgents of the BRA killed a laborer, namely, Qadir Bakhsh, resident of Sindh. The incident took place at Dashti Bazaar Turbat, District Kech and the youth was brutally massacred, due to pistol used by the BRA terrorists. And on November 18, 2013, three innocent persons belonging to Dera Ghazi Khan, namely, Mulazim, Abdullah and Mustafa were killed by the terrorists of the BLF in Josak area, Tehsil Turbat and District Kech. Now, instead of shifting the blame game to the security forces, ISI and other law-enforcing agencies, our responsible media anchors and commentators must expose the real face of foreign enemies—assisting the Baloch miscreants who are not only involved in kidnapping the innocent civilians, but are also behind their cold blooded murder including mutilated bodies and extra-judicial killings. They cunningly pose themselves as victims whereas they are the real killers of innocent people. In this context, without any doubt, Turbat incidents have become a test case which exposes the Baloch miscreants’ cruelties.

Uncompromising Media Need Positive Changes

Sajjad Shaukat

Every one knows that besides facing multi-faceted problems like acute financial crisis, unemployment, so­c­ial inequities, lack of security, lack of sound educational base, least technological prowess, loadshading of electricity and gas in wake of continuous acts of terrorism, Pakistan is also coping with external intrigues which are posing serious challenges to  the people as well as the country. In these terms, Pakistan is passing through the most testing time of its history. Regrettably, our own ethical values, traditional customs and cultural norms are not only neglected, but are also being depicted as orthodox, extremist and outdated. Domestic media, educational institutions and governing elite appear to have forgotten the significance and undercurrents, associated with own core middle class and the ideals required to maintain social order.

In the western countries, no doubt, media have been playing a key role by educating and guiding the people regarding various developments and issues which have been taking place on global and regional level. When taking advantage of the freedom of expression, in the west, newspapers and TV channels employed various tactics like sensationalism, exaggeration and distortion of facts to attract the maximum readers and viewers for financial gains in the era of competition, consensus developed among responsible journalists and media owners around the world that it is against the moral codes of journalism. Therefore, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) launched an Ethical Journalism Initiative in 2008.

Unfortunately, that freedom of media in Pakistan appears to have been totally misused due to the uncompromising media. In this regard, without taking cognizance of its negative effects on the people, spawning scores of new TV channels and associated burgeoning business interests led to coin unique methods of generating market competition so as to attract viewership and control financial shares. While presenting little or no legitimate well-researched news items, our TV channels, exploit, distort and exaggerate the news to create sensations and attract viewers in order to become more popular with the sole aim to advance their financial gains. Based upon opinion-masquerading as objective fact, our media anchors mislead and excite public opinion. They do not indicate what the people need, but show what the people want, thus have stunning impact of psychological shock.

Ignoring the moral codes of journalism, media reporters, analysts and anchors have adopted negative techniques and unscrupulous practices in their coverage because they have developed the habit of challenging the prestige of sensitive institutions of the state such as judiciary, army, ISI and law-enforcing agencies. At present, the security and investigation agencies which are engaged in counter-terrorism operations across the country have been barred from talking to media persons, because the Interior Ministry has decided to streamline the procedure of sharing of information with media so that the latter could not manipulate the same through sensationalism.

It is notable that a select group of media anchors not only holds prime time TV Talk Shows to promote their premeditated ideas and skewed opinions, but also project their views through print media leaving no space for middle class to offer feedback on the quality of contents discussed during panel discussions. Resultantly, freedom of expression is getting repressed by media itself, as few anchors and media owners have monopolized the media market and have formed powerful syndicates to support each other, while silencing the voice of the dissents by sparing no space for impartial and independent expression.

Therefore, serious issues like terrorism and dialogue process with Taliban get confused and perplexed, causing psychological stress for the audience. During the peace dialogue, our media analysts cynically commented that both Taliban and the government seemed to buy time, as military operation was imminent against the former. The aim was to dishearten the mediators and the public. Media was projecting trivial details which permitted the extraneous elements to promote their own agenda through acrimonious arguments so as to spread a sense of discontentment. Consequently, the secrecy of dialogue was exposed to compromising risk. Media reports resorted to hasty coverage of all happenings, neglecting the confidentiality of contents and sometimes objective reporting was also overlooked. Thus, due to media trial, the dialogue process runs into contemptuous ridicule. It also serves the agenda of anti-Pakistan forces which have been propagating against the peace dialogue.

Media anchors pose as jacks of all trades but actually they lack knowledge, insight and zeal to build correct perceptions on real issues. Consequently, they tend to project the themes of few political leaders to promote their insular agenda.Moreover, advertisements shown on electronic media contain double loaded messages with vulgar images and erotic contents. Such commercial might be offering large amounts of revenue, but social ethics and moral values cannot be sold at any cost. Hence, there is a need to curtail the oversensitive commercials. Furthermore, advertisements, aired on domestic TV channels’ broadcast, publicize products, films and celebrities from India with extraordinary elements of nudity and eroticism, allowing penetration of Indian culture in Pakistan. This brings sense of shame and guilt among domestic viewers. In this context, TV commercial “SAATHI” might also be cited as an example.

However, our uncompromising media have not been able to build public pressure to convince the concerned authorities to pay attention on foreign sponsored schemes, designed to change the relevant contents of text books, syllabus—by promoting ideology of Pakistan, glorification of past Islamic history and moral values as related to own social order. It seems that as part of the psychological warfare, anti-state foreign entities appear to have collaborated with domestic media and some renowned anchors so as to weaken Pakistan by inculcating ideas. Now, the right hour has come that being the fourth pillar of the state, our own media must show responsibility in order to pull the country out of the multiple crises. This needs positive changes.

For the purpose, values maintained by middle class must be upheld and media programmes be tailored to extend respect to Pakistan’s cultural norms, while promoting social values. Middle class must be held in high esteem, as they are the one who can uphold the national flag with honor.Media anchors must improve their understanding of different issues with a view to building consensus among masses, and avoid confusion on vital issues. Matters like dialogue process between the government and the Taliban merited more matured approach. Live coverage and indication of the location of the government’s dialogue committee also created security hazardous situation, therefore extra-care needed to be exercised to keep the location secret.

At this sensitive moment, our Armed Forces and law-enforcing agencies are operating under warlike conditions. Therefore, media must realize that some degree of filtration of information is essentially required. This will enable the security forces and law-enforcing agencies to block some vital elements of information reaching the criminals. So, it is time for all of us to get united and show confidence in the government, these agencies and Armed Forces in order to succeed against terrorists and criminals. Besides, our media must follow the real principles of journalism by educating and guiding the people towards right direction through credible and true information. They should avoid developing ‘stereotypes’ among the people by displaying unbiased news and comments.

Media must provide space for impartial expression of opinions and get positive criticism to reach a workable solution rather than exploiting the issues and reaching no where. Electronic media Talk Shows should not be commented and reinforced through print media by the same anchors to close the chances of expressing dissents’ point of view, as is presently done by some media.Indian commercials, films and dramas must be censored and naked vulgarity be covered to protect own audience from bad images and objectionable contents. TV advertisements must be morally approved contents and ethically acceptable images.

Media must assertively contest change of syllabus and text books, as the same will weaken own ideological bonds. Muslims have cherished past and its glorification through text books which must build moral strength among our youth through media. Attention must be paid by all media anchors and commentators in thwarting all anti-Pakistan schemes, designed to erode our moral values, cultural norms and Islamic bonds, besides distorting country’s image, and are promoting radicalism or extremism. Particularly, our media has a greater responsibility in countering external intrigues and schemes which inflict damage to Pakistani values. All this could be possible, if, our uncompromising media change positively.

One history, two narratives

Beena Sarwar 
 
How does a math student turned tech entrepreneur get involved in putting together a history book for children in India and Pakistan – a book that juxtaposes and highlights two conflicting narratives with a view to creating greater understanding?

The seeds were planted, if you’ll pardon the pun, some 13 years ago when a bunch of 14-16 year old students from India and Pakistan met at the annual Seeds of Peace camp in Maine, USA. Launched in 1993 by journalist John Wallace, the programme brings together teenagers from countries hostile to each other – UK, Ireland; Israel, Palestine; India, Pakistan, Afghanistan to name some.

“We were really excited to be going to America, to this beautiful camp – and then we learn that guess what, a bunch of Indians is going to be there too, and that we’d be sharing a living space with them. We got there before them – and none of us slept that night, waiting for them to arrive”, recalls Qasim Aslam, one of the young initiators of The History Project.

The camp activities are structured so that children from the opposite sides have to be on the same team, competing for the same goals and facing joint challenges against other teams. They also participate in dialogues and discussions that push them to question long-held beliefs and ideas.

“We spent a day talking about history. Voices were raised, tears shed, walkouts staged… And over the course of three weeks, we realised there is no way to reconcile the two narratives and establish one truth that both sides would accept. Once we understood that, it became easier to listen to each other”, he says. “We left the camp with best friends on the other side.”

The friendships endured and the ongoing dialogue led to The History Project, launched in Mumbai in April 2013 with an engagingly illustrated (by Zoya Siddiqui) book that reproduces text verbatim from history books on either side. The book has since been launched in Pakistan as well and is being taught in several schools in both countries.

“The way we are taught history aims to turn us into conformists. The History Project aims to inculcate a culture of questioning, counter how history is taught as a set of facts, not a narrative – which is what it is. A fact can’t have two versions,” says Qasim.

It’s not just history books. “Even children who haven’t started studying history have all these clichéd ideas about the other side. We go into classrooms in India and throw out key words like ‘Partition’, ‘Jinnah’, ‘Gandhi’ – and their responses are very different than the responses we get from the same age group in Pakistan. They know none of the facts but all of the stereotypes – from jokes, hearing their parents talk, the media. It’s all around. It shapes ideology at a very young age. We need to reverse engineer this conditioning, and we need to start now.”

Incidentally, Qasim attended St Anthony’s School in Lahore, where the principal was the late great Cecil Chaudhry – a retired Squadron Leader with the Pakistan Air Force, decorated for his heroism in the 1965 war with India – who himself was active with Seeds of Peace.

Qasim recently made presentations at various educational institutes in the US. I attended at his session at Brown University that the history professor Vazira Yaqoobali Zamindar (author of the brilliant book ‘The Long Partition’) introduced.

Also present at the well-attended event was former Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao, a fellow at Brown’s Watson Institute this year, Andy Blackadar who runs Brown’s non-profit Choices Program, several students and community members.

Launched in the 1980s, Choices tries to “explore the past to shape the future” as Andy put it. It focuses on curriculum development, taking up current and historical international issues, and works with high school teachers to improve course materials with a special emphasis educating students in their participatory role as citizens.

The goal is “to democratise information and develop an engaged and thoughtful American public, and change the prevalent insular view of the world”, says Andy.

He hopes it has made a dent, but recognises that it’s a long haul, and an ongoing process. Those involved in The History Project, which is now connecting with Choices, will undoubtedly find this to be true for their effort too. That’s fine. There may not be any immediate results, but the process must continue.

Beware of TTP’S Double Face

Sajjad Shaukat 

After the continued aerial strikes by the Pakistani jets and helicopters which have bombed militants’ hideouts including bomb-making factories in some tribal and surrounding areas of North Waziristan, killing several terrorists, on March 1, this year, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has announced a month-long ceasefire with the government for resumption of peace talks. In response, while welcoming the TTP offer of truce, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan assured Maulana Samiul Haq, Taliban committee member that stalled dialogue would re-start within a few days and the government was also considering stoppage of the ongoing surgical operations. But, on February 20, 2014, Chaudhry Nisar had clarified that Pakistan’s armed forces are undertaking strikes in FATA in ‘self-defense.’ On February 27, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz said that dialogue with the Taliban had derailed, adding that the state’s writ would be established in the troubled regions.

In fact, while the committee of the Pakistan Government was conducting peace talks with that of the TTP, a deadlock occurred when Taliban claimed responsibility for the brutal massacre of the 23 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary in Afghanistan, who were abducted from Mohmand Agency, four years ago. This heinous act which was strongly condemned by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leaders of various political and religious parties including Jamat-e-Islami Chief Munawar Hassan and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan who are sympathizers of these Taliban, came as a blow from the sky, giving a greater setback to the peace process. 

Earlier, Taliban militants targeted the Rangers, Police bus and anti-polio workers in Karachi in wake of the peace talks for which TTP accepted responsibility. Particularly, the tragic incident of terrorist attack on the Police bus in Karachi, killing 13 and injuring 57 commandos have been condemned by all segment of society.

In the recent past, on the one hand, TTP spokesman has condemned the terror-events which took place in Karachi and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa including assaults on the personnel of the security forces and law-enforcing agencies, on the other; he has claimed responsibility, while stating that the outfit will continue terror-assaults. Similarly, TTP had condemned the terror-attack on the church in Peshawar. But, afterwards, its spokesman had remarked that it was in accordance with Sharia (Islamic Jurisprudence) which indicated that the militant group was behind that ruthless assault. So, contradictory statements of the TTP-led Taliban have endorsed that the militant group sabotaged the peace dialogue by playing double game. 

Meanwhile, the militant attack on a polio team in Jamrud on March 1, which left 11 dead—as part of their dual approach, TTP did not claim responsibility. In response, gunship helicopters struck the headquarters of Mullah Tamanche involved in the attack on polio workers, killing five culprits. However, double face of the TTP could also be judged from some recent statements of its spokesman. Sometimes, he agreed with government, saying that the TTP wanted to advance peace process in accordance with constitution of Pakistan, and sometimes, he rejected the constitution as un-Islamic. Notably, the constitution which was signed by the leaders of all the political and religious parties, declares the country, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan—also mentions that the government will made efforts to implement Islamic system in the country. 

Similarly, earlier the TTP rejected government’s condition for unilateral ceasefire; a day after the Federal Cabinet urged its militants to renounce terror activities without pre-conditions. As regards surgical operations, its spokesman had warned, “the government will have to bear more loss than us.” But, it is due to the pressure, built by the successful air strikes that the outfit has announced ceasefire for a month with the government, inviting the latter to revive the peace talks. Despite it, fact remains that the TTP-led insurgents also want to deceive the government through its shrewd techniques, as they seek stoppage of selective military actions in order to strengthen their position for future terror-attacks. They also intend to create a rift between the civil-military relations. In this respect, on February 26, Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif along with DG ISI Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other top officials. The military leadership informed the meeting about hideouts of terrorists in North Waziristan, assuring that these could be eliminated in two weeks, as the recent strikes have inflicted heavy damage to the militants. They also ensured that armed forces would eliminate terrorism from the soil of the country.

 

Besides, the TTP also wants to create fissures between the political and religious parties to fulfill the nefarious designs of their external masters. In this context, Chief of Jamiat Ulema-I-Islam (F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Munawar Hassan have welcomed the Taliban’s declaration of ceasefire. And Imran Khan who has recently favoured military operation against the Taliban also supported TTP’s truce offer, while emphasizing the government to avail this opportunity. It is of particular attention that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has asserted that peace talks and violent acts of terrorism cannot go side by side. While unveiling the prime minister’s national security policy in the National Assembly on February 26, he said that the attacks from militants would be met with an appropriate military response. But, at the same time, he pointed out that doors of dialogue with the TTP were still opened. On March 1, Nisar stated that no military operation was going on in the tribal regions, and only targeted action was being carried out, as the government had not decided such an operation. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Syed Khurshid Shah and those of other political parties have remarked that they support the government over the issue of tackling terrorism, but asked the rulers to announce a clear-cut policy over the matter. Now, some political and religious entities have been pointing to some external elements which are thwarting the peace process between the TTP and the government. In this connection, without naming US, some are hinting towards the “third power”, and some are saying that Indian secret agency RAW is castigating these peace talks.While, the TTP new Chief Maulana Fazlullah had dismissed the proposed peace negotiations with the government as a “waste of time”, and vowed to target the prime minister, chief minister, chief of army staff and corpse commanders. During Swat and Malakand military operations, Fazlullah fled Swat and took shelter in Afghanistan. 

Well-established in Afghanistan, with the tactical support of the US, in connivance with Indian RAW and Afghan spy service, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Pakistani Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah—and these foreign agencies have been conducting target killings, bomb blasts, suicide attacks, beheadings, assaults on civil and military personnel, installations and forced abductions including ethnic and sectarian violence. By sending heavily-equipped militants in Pakistan, these entities are also assisting Baloch separatists.

Unfortunately, terrorists led by the TTP use Islam as their most effective mask. Their main demands include enforcement of Islamic system of governance by imposing Shariah laws in the country, ending diplomatic relations with US and western world and undertaking Jihad against the non-Muslims. They have become self-proclaimed campaigners of Islam, rejecting all dissenting views. While, the victims of terror-attacks in Pakistan have been innocent men, women, and children including security personnel and prominent religious figures—blowing children schools, the militants also targeted cinemas and the places of worships. 

No doubt, Jihad is a sacred obligation, but its real spirit needs to be understood clearly, as murdering innocent women and children is not Jihad. In fact, by implementing the agenda of some foreign powers, these Taliban and their banned affiliated groups are defaming Islam, concept of Jihad, and are weakening Pakistan.

As terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices, therefore, people from all the segment of life and majority of politicians want that a handful of terrorist elements must not be allowed to impose their self-perceived ideology on the majority of Pakistanis, while supporting military action against these culprits. 

Political leaders must not advance their political agenda on valuable assessments given by top military leadership on the possibility of success of military operation against TTP in Karachi as well. Out of context references not only ridicule the Armed Forces, but also help glorifying the Taliban. 40% success of Army operation stated by ex-chief of army staff, Iman Khan and the prime minister who wrongly referred the statement of DG ISI pointed at creating an impact of the operation in achieving overall objective of resolving the problem for restoring peace. Hence, leaders must exercise prudence in issuing ill-conceived statements to gain political prominence. They must not evade responsibility on terrorism by putting the entire blame on the third force. They have to accept responsibility to take the country out of terrorism. Postings in Sindh Police during Karachi operation must also not be done before the prior consent of DG Rangers Sindh.

Nonetheless, instead of wavering between fact and scepticism by following the policy of appeasement towards all the militant groups, especially the TTP, our rulers need to be aware of their real intentions which display their double face. The government must devise a comprehensive strategy to deal with the terrorists with iron hands, while declaring a full-fledged military operation against them, as any delay will further embolden these militants who will further intensify their subversive activities.

A Fissure in a Dam

Sohail Parwaz

Mark Twain gave a famous quote that "whisky is for drinking; water is for fighting over". No one would have ever given a serious thought to it but unfortunately a series of reports from intelligence agencies and research groups indicate the prospect of a water war is becoming increasingly probable. It’s not very far off. In fact a little more than a decade away, as a report from the office of the US Director of National Intelligence suggests that the risk of conflict would grow as water demand is set to surpass sustainable current supplies by 40 per cent by 2030.

Some connoisseurs believe the only recognized case of a "water war" happened about 4,500 years ago, when the city-states of Lagash and Umma went to war in the Tigris-Euphrates basin. However, Adel Darwish, a journalist and co-author of Water Wars: Coming Conflicts in the Middle East, says modern history has already seen at least two water wars and he quotes former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon confessing on record that the reason for going to war [against Arab armies] in 1967 was for water," Yet another example is of Senegal and Mauritania also, who fought a war starting in 1989 over grazing rights on the River Senegal. And then Syria and Iraq too, have fought minor skirmishes over the Euphrates River.

The seasoned and mature forecasters from the world over are showing lost sleep for wars of the future, those will be fought over blue gold, as thirsty people, opportunistic politicians and powerful corporations, battle for diminishing resources. Nevertheless, here in the Subcontinent, the Indians are least pushed about the hovering conflict clouds and rapidly building dam after the dam. Out of 13 dams or hydroelectric projects, under construction in Indian occupied Kashmir, seven are on River Chenab; one is on Jhelum and one on the Indus. 

Sunita Narain, soon after receiving her 2005 Stockholm Water Prize Award from King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, at a formal ceremony in Stockholm said, “I am not here as a pessimist saying that India is doomed and that water wars are going to happen, and we are going to destroy ourselves. I am saying very clearly that if India continues on this route, yes there will be water wars…and we will become more and more crippled in our growth,” When Sunita said that, “Water wars are not inevitable. It lies in our hands and in our minds…,” (to obviate them) it was not just to receive $ 150,000 and a crystal sculpture. She said this as a conscientious director of the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi and as the publisher of a highly praised environmental magazine Down to Earth. If some political experts hold the view that the world’s future wars will be fought over water and not over oil, they are not wrong in saying so. The only difference is that while most of the nations will fight to get water, some ill-fated nation like ours will continue to fight not to have water, as is being done these days.

Deforestation in hilly areas, the urbanisation of flood plains, the sea level rise due to global warming, increased melting of snow and exceptional rainfall, are not phenomena exclusive to one or the other region. Rather, these are problems faced globally by every country. Water is the sole reason for which almost over 10,000 dams have or are being constructed in the US, and over 300 water storage facilities are being constructed in India and China.

The people of Alwar, a district in Rajasthan, have done wonders by nursing the rebirth of a dried river Arvari. In the initial phase they nursed the rebirth through local rainwater collecting schemes, and in a subsequent phase they formed their own river parliament for the management of the river. This parliament turned out to be so effective that they adopted eleven articles that bind them to a set of laws. This is the nationalism and romance displayed by the people who chant the mantra, ‘I love my India’, from the bottom of their hearts. By contrast, in Pakistan, nationalism is forcefully shoved into the backseat and regionalism is brazenly and masochistically brought to the front. The types of catchphrases and rhetoric chanted are, ‘Dam over our dead bodies’, ‘The drowning of the Frontier will not be allowed’, ‘Down with Punjabi chauvinism’ and much more.

The need to provide food and water has not been relegated to the back burner elsewhere; hence new dams are being planned and constructed throughout Asia. There are presently about 99 dams under construction in China, 100 in Turkey, 81 in Korea, 25 in Iran and around 292 in India. Nearly 3200 major / medium dams and barrages had been constructed in India by the year 2012. As compared to that only 9 dams and that too disputed one, have been planned by Pakistan. Imagine the political instability in these countries if there was half as much disinformation against these dams as is the case against the Kalabagh Dam (KBD). Do we still need to find out what makes all these other dams feasible while ours is a disaster?

The hubbub and hullabaloo of those so-called nationalist parties, that don’t even have proper district representation, is totally baseless and purely meant to grab attention. Their sightless efforts are geared towards opposing the KBD at any cost, come what may. What they are forgetting is that “Damn the Dam” is no solution. There is a famous Pashto saying — and who knows it better than Asfand Yar Wali, the self-acclaimed champions of Pashtun rights — ‘You cannot have a head without a headache.’ When a dam is being built there will always be some drawbacks and negative fallouts. But these are not restricted to KBD only. There are thousands of dams being built the world over and not one of these would be without complexity or convolution.

The opposition has deliberately refrained from evolving a consensus. Not a single political leader has picked up the courage to come forward and drive some sense into the minds of others except for Imran, who has been dragged into another kind of nuisance in KPK, hence is quiet on the issue. Those, whose contribution to the freedom movement was zilch, are now trying to be the flag-bearers of regional rights. When they are invited to the table to talk, they refuse to sit across and listen to others’ points of view. If they have some valid trepidations about the flooding of the Peshawar valley or Nowshera town, water-logging and salinity due to the drainage of surrounding area of Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi plains, the adverse effects on Mardan’s SCARP, and dislocation of a large number of people, they should shun prejudices and listen to others’ assessments as well. I am certain that the nation’s water experts have a solution for their ‘headaches’.

Ironically this handful of nationalists appears to have exactly the same objectives as the Indians. In April 1948, India diverted the flow of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers, an act that threatened to destroy irrigated cultivation in Pakistan. Today, why divert, rivers allocated to Pakistan under the subsequent water accords and construct dams like Baglihar on them unless the intention is equally malafide?

It is very unfortunate that all the main opposition parties who claim a national stature seem to have been hijacked by a handful of misguided people. Another tragedy is that the Punjab is irrationally being dragged into the controversy. The moot question is why those who can unite for any specious cause cannot unite for their motherland? It is high time that everyone teams up for this national project and militates against the jingoistic and intolerant attitudes. These mainstream political parties and the so-called nationalist parties will have to muster the courage to choose the right side to be on for their own and the country’s salvation before it is too late.

The Egyptian army still has jungle warfare brigades, even though they have no jungle, only for the reason, because the Nile is another potential flash point. In 1989, former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak threatened to send demolition squads to a dam project in Ethiopia while here in Pakistan we are happily allowing our enemies from within and out to asphyxiate our jugular vein.

I can never forget the story of that patriotic, dutiful and daring Dutch boy who put his finger in a hole in a dyke’s embankment to prevent his village from suffering a deluge. But here, we are purposely and calculatedly making a fissure in a dam which is still on paper. Aren’t we really asking for a drought before a famine, and not giving a damn about it?

Putting the Youth on Right Direction

Sajjad Shaukat

While disagreeing with the past thinkers who say that human nature is aggressive, which radicalizes the youngsters, modern sociologists and psychologists agree that a number of factors such as historical background, cultural setup, education etc. play a key in putting the youth on right direction by de-radicalizing them. They opine that these factors including some other ones are essential for nation-building of a country, so that a positive national character could emerge.

In these terms, the youth in Pakistan constitutes valuable endowment and valid heritage of the nation. Fortunately, Pakistan is blessed with highly motivated and incredibly talented youth having sense of purpose and firm resolve to realize their potential. They are exceptionally eager to make positive contributions for the well-being of this country. In this context, provision of right opportunities, social justice, balanced guidance and respect for merit are the key features to guide the youth towards right path. As regards Pakistan, besides other factors, family background, peer group interactions and grooming treasures of educational institutions play vital role in character building, attaining professional grace, developing positive attitude and acquiring sense of compassion. 

Educational institutions like colleges and universities besides providing the young adults to improve their mental faculties and enhance technical prowess also guide them to build moral strength and learn ethical values, essentially required to handle practical spells of life. Every nation desires to maintain its social order, develop orderly socio-political structure to observe its esteemed traditions, customs and perpetuating moral standards. Hence, balanced curriculum and standards of excellence are developed by the educational institutions to encourage the students to learn and demonstrate socially approved conduct, desirable etiquette, sense of tolerance, respect for law and holding teachers and parents to adhere the social values with high esteem. Quality education and exemplary models will enable the youth to internalize values through a socialization process.  

At this crucial juncture, Pakistan has been facing multi-faceted problems such as acute financial crisis, poverty, unemployment, so­c­ial inequities, lack of security, loadshading of electricity and gas in wake of continuous acts of terrorism. But, our young persons have shown a greater enthusiasm and energy in coping with these multiple problems. So, their vitality and power of determination is praiseworthy.

On the on side, enemies of the Pakistan are using various schemes to manipulate the youth by provocating them to join the militants in order to conduct subversive activities, on the other side, a majority of the Pakistani youth is well-determined in thwarting the nefarious designs of the terrorists who are involved in brutal acts of terrorism and have brought embarrassment to the entire nation. 

Regrettably, some political and religious entities including some media analysts are misguiding the youngsters that it is elseone’s war, not Pakistan’s war, but the youth is well-aware that it is our own war against terrorism, as the militants are being supported by external enemies of the country. However, the youth in certain segments of our society has been misled by few selfish and greedy individuals who tend to exploit them through their money, status and knowledge. 

Prevalent political instability and social disorder caused by growing extremism and radicalism have increased the level of frustration among the youngsters who have now been wavering been fact and scepticism. Therefore, they show signs of deviant behavior by disregarding social norms, cultural values and time-tested traditions. Today, one end of social continuum points at extreme liberals who appear to have lost respect for every norm, custom and value, while extremist elements advocate radical philosophies. 

Resultantly, obscenity and vulgarity demonstrated by liberals lead to offensive disposition, while radicals mark their signatures through criminal acts of violence. Society as a whole bears the brunt, as repulsive behavior of liberals brings sense of shame and guilt—while painful bloodshed is caused by extremists and radicals.

Despite all of this, the Pakistani youth is fully aware of the dangers which lurk ahead and the impediments which lie in the path of realizing their full potential and a brighter future. In this respect, the government of Pakistan needs to take serious measures to positively exploit the enthusiasm and energy of the youth not only in coping with the political instability, social strife and economic problems, but also menace of terrorism in the country. 

For the purpose, our own media must show courage by denouncing all acts of terrorism, and stop providing space to these terrorists, as media statements by the spokesmen of the militant groups simply glorify the cause of terrorism in one way or the other. Thus, media reports must stop misguiding the youngsters. They must point out that these terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices in the country where their merciless activities continue unabated. Hence, they must motivate the youth by emphasizing the necessity of unity to fight the ruthless enemy.

It is notable that education and research are very essential for the development of a country, as we can see in the west. So, strenuous efforts for peace and an atmosphere conducive to the pursuit of education, research and vocational interests are of prime importance in relation to the youth. For the purpose, educational institutions must develop balanced curriculum and an appropriate guidance-system to sublimate the talent of the youth towards triumphant and glorious ends. Teachers must act as role models, setting personal examples in every decision making process.

In this regard, a system must be developed to enhance character building capacity, which should entails formulation of behavior and a monitoring mechanism. Students must become active participants of monitoring schemes, encouraging rule of law, learning leadership tasks and offering meaningful and positive criticism.

Merit must be respected and sense of positive competition be enhanced among students. Trends and tendencies having temptations of immorality must be curbed through open debates, while provost system in the educational institutions must operate with assertive vigor to guide the radicals and extreme liberals so as to draw balance in their outlooks optimistically. 

Particularly, academic institutions must develop the curriculum in order to enhance moral values and quality attributes having lifetime sustainability. Balanced guidance must be provided to the students with the aim to develop professional goals and to build character qualities.

It is the duty of teachers and educational institutions to mould their students into refined individuals—capable of analyzing any issue, construing relevant conclusions and taking correct decisions. Sense of compassion and mental capacity to tolerate dissent must be inculcated amongst the young students. Such grooming would make them responsible and useful citizens of Pakistan. 

No doubt, Pakistani youth which is full of enthusiasm and energy has already expressed firm resolve to fight the menace of terrorism, and to play their role for the security of Pakistan, while helping the country in diversified fields for nation-building purposes. Inspite of it, there is a dire need to put the youth on right direction by providing balanced guidance to them, enabling them to follow the correct path, realize their full potential and make positive contributions for the well-being of the society and the country.

Why Deadlock in Peace Dialogue?

Sajjad Shaukat

While the committee of the Pakistan Government was conducting peace dialogue with that of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a deadlock occurred when Taliban claimed responsibility for the brutal massacre of the 23 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary in Mohmand Agency. This heinous act which was strongly condemned by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leaders of other political and religious parties including Imran Khan and Munawar Hassan who are sympathizers of these Taliban, came as a blow from the sky, giving a greater setback to the peace process. It exposed the secret intentions of the Taliban who are employing dual tactics. Although the government has suspended the peace dialogue, yet it is still optimistic in restoring the same, as it has demanded the TTP to give explanation and clearly condemn this terror-act.

Earlier, Taliban militants targeted the Rangers, Police and anti-polio workers in Karachi in wake of the peace talks. On the one hand, TTP spokesman has condemned the latest terror-events which also took place in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, on the other; he has accepted responsibility, while stating that the outfit will continue assaults on the security forces and law-enforcing agencies. So, contradictory statements of the TTP-led Taliban have endorsed that the militant group is sabotaging the peace dialogue by playing double game because it is being supported by some anti-Pakistan foreign powers.

In this regard, a report of the Interior Ministry said on February 19, this year that Islamabad is at high risk and has become target of the banned organizations-TTP and Lashkar-e-Jahngvi (LeJ). The report disclosed, “Arms and terrorists are making their way into the country through Eastern and Western borders, and cross border terrorists are also conducting terror activities in Pakistan.” 

It is notable that when the TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed by the US drone strikes on November 1, 2013, leaders of the ruling and opposition parties including prominent figures and Ulemas (Religious scholars) took the event as a plot to thwart the peace process with the insurgents. In this context, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali openly stated that that killing of Hakimullah Mehsud was a conspiracy to sabotage peace talks with the Taliban.

Now, some political and religious entities—even Imran Khan and Munawar Hassan have been pointing to some external elements which are thwarting the peace process between the TTP and the government. In this connection, without naming US, some are hinting towards the “third power”, and some are saying that Indian secret agency RAW is castigating these peace talks.

It is of particular attention that the TTP new Chief Maulana Fazlullah had dismissed the proposed peace negotiations with the government as a “waste of time”, and vowed to target the prime minister, chief minister, chief of army staff and corpse commanders. During Swat and Malakand military operations, Fazlullah fled Swat and took shelter in Afghanistan. 

Well-established in Afghanistan, with the tactical support of the US, in connivance with Indian RAW and Afghan spy service, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Pakistani Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah—and these foreign agencies have been conducting target killings, bomb blasts, suicide attacks, beheadings, assaults on civil and military personnel, installations and forced abductions including ethnic and sectarian violence. By sending heavily-equipped militants in Pakistan, these entities are also assisting Baloch separatists.

Particularly, the captured TTP leader Latifullah Mehsud by US Special Forces (USF) in Afghanistan confessed that Afghanistan and India were waging proxy wars in Pakistan, and terrorist attacks on Gen. Sanaullah Khan Niazi in Upper Dir, at Peshawar Church, in Qissa Khawani Bazar and elsewhere had been planned by Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies. 

Unfortunately, terrorists led by the TTP use Islam as their most effective mask. Their main demands include enforcement of Islamic system of governance by imposing Shariah laws (Islamic jurisprudence) in the country, ending diplomatic relations with US and western world and undertaking Jihad against the non-Muslims. They have become self-proclaimed campaigners of Islam, rejecting all dissenting views. 

Notably, the victims of terror-attacks in Pakistan have been innocent men, women, and children. While ruthless beheadings of the people, assaults on security personnel and prominent religious figures—blowing children schools and attacking the female teachers in order to deny education to girls, the militants also targeted cinemas and the places of worships. Their nefarious acts resulted into killings of several persons in Pakistan. 

However, Jihad is a sacred obligation, but its real spirit needs to be understood clearly, as murdering innocent women and children is not Jihad. In fact, by implementing the instructions of their external masters, these Taliban and their banned affiliated groups are defaming Islam, concept of Jihad, and are weakening Pakistan.

As terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices, therefore, people from all segments of life and majority of politicians want that a handful of terrorist elements must not be allowed to dictate their agenda and to impose their self-perceived ideology on the majority of Pakistanis, while supporting military action against these culprits. 

During the peace process, our domestic media bluntly opined that dialogue would not succeed. Some of them cynically commented that both Taliban and the government seemed to buy time, as military operation was imminent against the former. The aim was to dishearten the mediators and the public. Media was projecting trivial details which permitted the extraneous elements to promote their own agenda through acrimonious arguments so as to spread a sense of discontentment. Consequently, the secrecy of dialogue was exposed to compromising risk. Media reports resorted to hasty coverage of all happenings, neglecting the confidentiality of contents and sometimes objective reporting was also overlooked. 

On the other hand, negotiating process is likely to confront intricate impediments and extraordinary encounters for which the mediators need to develop the stamina and skills to hold information and avoid over-indulgence of media leaks of dialogue process. Thus, due to media trial, the dialogue process runs into contemptuous ridicule. It also serves the agenda of anti- Pakistan forces which have been propagating against the peace dialogue.

Since media is not suitable instrument to contest issues to reach a settlement, therefore, it must be kept away from future dialogue process. Surely, maturity and negotiating skills could enable the negotiators to decently handle media and be able to maintain confidentiality of vital aspects. 

Live coverage and indication of the location of the government’s dialogue committee also created security hazardous situation, therefore extra-care needed to be exercised to keep the location secret. Media must also realize that the state is confronted with complex dilemma of terrorism. An opportunity had emerged to give peace a chance. 

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had initiated peace process with the Taliban in accordance with the decision of the All Parties Conference (APC) in which leaders of the mainstream political parties had participated. Contrarily, now, situation has entirely changed after the fresh wave of terror-attacks by the TTP and its ambivalent approach which shows its connections with the external enemies of Pakistan. So, instead of wavering between fact and scepticism by following the policy of appeasement towards all the militant groups, especially the TTP, our rulers need to devise a comprehensive strategy to deal with the terrorists with iron hands by acting upon a timely action against terrorism, as any delay in this respect will further embolden these militants who will further intensify their subversive activities.  

No doubt, deadlock in the peace dialogue is owing to dual policy of the Taliban because they are quite non-serious to observe ceasefire or to conclude any agreement with the government, as TTP is pursuing the agenda of anti-Pakistan powers to destabilize our country.