Enthusiasm and Energy of the Pakistani Youth

Sajjad Shaukat

Past experience proves that the youth played a key role in the nation-building of the developed countries, while pulling them out of any crisis due to their zeal and zest.Unlike the developed countries, 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. In these terms, 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.

Now, Pakistan’s environment has been darkened with the perennial incidents of bomb blasts, turmoil and unrest, as the insurgent target educational institutions, public places like festivals, parks, business centers, hospitals, places of entertainment and worship. Our youth which is too sensitive and mindful of the terrorism-related phenomenon of trauma surrounding them, cannot remain oblivious to the same, as it is agonizing for them.

Knowing the memories of their relatives and dear ones who lost their lives in various terrorist acts like bomb blasts, suicide attacks, targeted killings, ethnic and sectarian violence, the youth has urged the various organs of the state—the government and the judiciary including law-enforcing agencies and media to take effective steps to get rid Pakistan of the menace of terrorism.

While 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. They know the reality that entrenched in Afghanistan external secret agencies like American CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad have perennially been arranging acts of sabotage in various regions of Pakistan, especially in  Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi through their affiliated militant groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Jundollah (God’s soldiers) including other insurgent groups and some Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) to fulfill the secret strategic designs of US, India and Israel at the cost of Pakistan, China and Iran. Besides martyring several personnel of law-enforcing agencies and security forces in various parts of the country, in Balochistan, these foreign-backed entities kidnapped and massacred many Punjabis, Pushtuns, Shias, people of Hazara community, patriot Balochis and Iranian Shias. In the past few years, they abducted and killed many Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. 

On a number of occasions, BLA, Jundollah and other separatist groups claimed responsibility for their subversive acts. So, the young persons know that these terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices in the country where their merciless activities continue unabated. Hence, they are showing vitality by emphasizing the necessity of unity to fight the ruthless enemy. 

No doubt, the youth in Pakistan is fully cognizant of the fact that all convicted terrorists especially those who were awarded death penalty by the courts of law should be executed without any delay, as it will send a strong message to the militants. And Judiciary on its part must ensure speedy disposal of all cases pertaining to terrorism, otherwise, justice in cases of terrorist attacks will remain delayed. According to a maxim, “justice delayed is justice denied.”

Nevertheless, 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. 

It is good sign that the Pakistani youth like its counterparts around the world also uses the social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc. effectively. In the cyber-age, social media which means online platform for interactive dialogue, have equally been utilizing by the peoples of the developed and less developed countries. In this context, the Facebook site originally was created for students of Harvard to get acquaintance with one another, but later, it was utilized by other colleges and universities as well, and now allows anyone to get registration. 

In fact, these sites are creating communities which allow people to keep tabs of their social relationships by exploring and finding other persons with similar interests. In these terms, social media services like Twitter and Facebook are really playing the revolutionary role. 

In this regard, a study suggests that online chatter about revolution often began just before actual revolution took place. And social media also served as an outlet for citizens of the region to tell their stories of revolution, which played an inspirational role for neighboring countries. The study explains that social media carried a cascade of messages about freedom and democracy across North Africa and the Middle East, and helped raise expectations for the success of political uprising—in Egypt where the Arab Spring blossomed—Howard and his team found that the number of tweets that mentioned revolution in that country exploded from 2,300 per day to more than 230,000 per day. The number of videos, Facebook updates and blog posts about government opposition also rose dramatically. 

Moreover, there is virtually no control over the sites, and some of the users can misuse by giving false information or spread disinformation. According to a NGO, the photos of flogging of 17 year old girl in Swat in 2009 displayed on the Facebook was engineered, which had brought disgrace to Pakistan.Nonetheless, our youngsters who know the art of using social media sites through internet must utilize the same for encountering anti-Pakistan propaganda of the external enemies, and in improving the image of the country in the eyes of international community. Thus, they can also unite various segments of the society in fighting the different war against terrorists.

It is notable that general elections 2013 witness the youth of Pakistan participating wholeheartedly in the electoral process. Optimistically speaking, if democracy prevails, the youth, being in majority, will actually dictate the type of government which will reside in the corridors of power. The current government’s recognition of the power of the youth is likely to motivate and to empower them.

It is mentionable 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.Consequently, Pakistani youth which is full of enthusiasm and energy has 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.

Need of Timely Action against Terrorism

Posted by Belharvi                  

                                                          In order to resolve the menace of terrorism, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 29, this year announced the constitution of 4-member committee comprising impartial personalities to open negotiations with the warring Taliban. The committee has started contacts with all the militant groups, especially Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has also welcomed government’s offer of peace dialogue. But at the same time, while referring to the recent terrorist attacks in Bannu, Peshawar, Hangu, assaults on anti-polio workers, media, minorities and religious scholars, prime minister also stated, “All state institutions will stand behind the government, if it decides to use force against terrorists.” He also clarified that talks and terrorism cannot go together, and asked the militants to observe a ceasefire.

Quite contrarily, TTP-led militants continued their subversive activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Karachi, while in Balochistan, the Taliban have connections with other insurgents’ outfits like Balachistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Jundollah (God’s soldiers), which are also involved in similar acts of terrorism.In fact, since the present government came into power, it has been wavering between fact and scepticism by following the policy of appeasement towards all the militant groups, especially TTP which has not ended its terror-activities such as suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings, ruthless beheadings of the innocent people, assaults on security personnel and prominent religious figures. 

Unfortunately, Pakistan is faced with extremely wicked, enigmatically elusive and subjectively imprecise threat posed by terrorism or TPP. The irony of the fate is that terrorists wear homogeneously accepted garbs as servants of Islam and use religion as their most effective mask and credible smokescreen. Their main pledges included demands for 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 became self-proclaimed campaigners of Islam, rejecting all dissenting views on explicit explanations of Shariah. 

Rigidly, locked in insular mind-set, the terrorists, particularly of the TTP oppose the constitution of Pakistan, reject the system of governance and fight the Armed Forces by leaving no stone unturned in promoting their politically motivated agenda to gratify their power motives. Whereas they cause loss of lives, damage property and subject the entire nation with psychological pain and grief, while showing no compassion by openly rejoicing their criminal strikes. 

Now, these militants are expanding their violent activities by targeting all unguarded, reticent and mute segments of society. The aim is to blow out their boasting audacity and show off their strength of defiance. Suicide bombings on the personnel of the security forces and law-enforcing agencies present one pattern, while targeting schools, shrines, mosques and places of worship, religious processions, funerals and markets specially meant for women and children clearly explain their un-Islamic patterns of behaviour. 

Condemning the latest acts of terrorism, particularly in Rawalpindi by the TTP, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated that attacks on innocent persons and armed forces would not be tolerated. On the one side, they have repeatedly been emphasizing upon peace talks with the Taliban, especially with the TTP, while on the other, taking note of their terror-attacks, they have also suggested strong action against these militants.In this context, although the rulers have expedited the formulation and promulgation of anti-terror laws as part of counter-terrorism strategy, yet they are considering two options-dialogue or military operation. 

It is mentionable that TTP is acting upon shrewd tactics, as sometimes it claims responsibility for its terror-assaults and sometimes denies the same. For example, when its militants had attacked the church in Peshawar in September, 2013, TTP did not accept responsibility, but afterwards, by misinterpreting Islam, its spokesman said that it was in accordance with Shariah. Similarly, TTP condemned bomb blast in the Tableeghi Markaz (preaching center) in Peshawar, which killed nine people on January 16, 2014, but, it claimed responsibility of attacks on police in Malakand, Shangla and Mansehra including military convoy in Bannu and R.A Bazaar near GHQ.Notably, 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.

However, tough terms of the TTP for reconciliation show double game. In the recent past, in a letter, Pakistani Taliban demanded that Pakistan should pull out of the Afghan war, abandon its pro-American and pro-western policies and change its constitution and foreign policy in conformity with Islamic Shariah.But, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar had pointed out that the Taliban’s offer of conditional truce was unacceptable, adding, “Taliban groups cannot dictate the state.” While indicating unclear policy, the government is indirectly pacifying the TTP and other Taliban insurgents who have been encouraged, and keep on challenging the writ of the state.  

 

While, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif 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. Recently, while condemning the inhuman activities of the insurgents, particularly by those of the TTP, more than 100 Islamic scholars clarified in their joint fatwa (edict) and separate statements that “killing of innocent people, target killings and suicide bombings including sectarianism are against the spirit of Islam…the terrorists’ self-adopted interpretation of Islam was nothing but ignorance and digression from the actual teachings of the religion.” 

In fact, Islam is a religion of universal application, as it emphasizes peace, democracy, moderation and human rights including tolerance of political groups, religious communities and sects which are in minority in a country. In this connection, the Constitution of 1973 which was unanimously adopted, clearly states that Pakistan is basically a democracy guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made contrary to Quran and Sunnah. 

Undoubtedly, Jihad is a sacred obligation, but its real spirit needs to be understood clearly, as murdering innocent women and children is not Jihad. 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, hence, people from all segment 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 the present government issued three ordinances which are before the parliament—yet to take a concrete form of law. Nonetheless, it is due to delay in formulation and implementation of counter-terrorism policy that the Taliban who continue their brutal acts have been encouraged by the contradictory approach of the present government.Terrorism as a phenomenon needs to be fought collectively and the entire nation has to put up a collective effort. In this regard, a meaningful message must immediately be sent to the terrorists that the government has the will and power to eliminate them. 

Government has to take lead to fight the threat posed by terrorists, especially those of the TTP. Bloodshed must not be allowed to spread at the will of the militants. There is a dire need to develop political will to fight the insurgents through well-devised strategy and firm resolve. The writ of the Govt must be established at all costs and all and sundry be brought to the folds of law. In this regard, political leadership must take tough, but rationale decisions without any further delay. It must also be realized that time is running out, while terrorists are getting stronger with every passing day.  

For the purpose, Pakistan’s political leaders and media anchors must condemn terrorists’ attacks on the innocent persons, personnel of the security forces and other law-enforcing agencies with disdain and social contempt. They must pay homage to those who lost their lives while fighting the terrorists. For example, this includes Police officers like Chaudhary Aslam (Martyred) and young student Aitzaz Hussan (Martyred), as the entire nation is proud of such brave sons of soil. Besides, terror attacks at Peshawar Tableeghi Markaz must be thoroughly investigated and the culprits must be brought to book.  

Particularly, religious clerics must come forward to denounce such subversive acts, and participate actively in countering the menace of terrorism. Different factions must hold collective conferences on faith related issues and society be organized to fight this criminal elements.Despite all the efforts, there is a dire need to devise a comprehensive strategy to deal with the terrorists with iron hands. Therefore, instead of pursuing contradictory policy, the government needs to act upon a timely action against terrorism, as any delay in this respect will further embolden these militants who will intensify their terror attacks.(By Sajjad Shaukat)

Why Endless Propaganda against Pak Nukes?

By Sajjad Shaukat

While showing their double standard openly, the US and some western countries use one pretext or the other in targeting the unfavorable small countries in order to obtain their selfish interests. Therefore, they are taking the nuclear proliferation as an ultra sensitive concern, haunting the entire world, and they feel impatient to impose unilateral sanctions against those states which fall in the ambit of hostile nations—are aspiring to acquire nuclear capability. 

In this respect, particularly America and West’s discrimination and bigotry include Iran, North Korea and Libya (now under immunity) for violating terms of Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, any country, especially with Islamic identity which desires to get atomic capability is subjected to severe economic sanctions and political isolation or military action so as to render it incapable of acquiring nuclear expertise. 

In these terms, Pakistan is the only declared nuclear country in the Islamic World. Hence, it has become special target of some western top officials, media and think tanks, particularly those of the US, who leave no stone unturned in continuing their endless propaganda against Pak nukes.  They have been creating doubts about the safety and security of Pakistan’s atomic weapons.

In this regard, Michael Kugelman, a senor programme associate for South and Southeast Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center, where he is responsible for research, programming and publications on South and Southeast Asia, used the change of guard at Special Strategic Division to implicate Pakistan. On January 10, 2014, the ‘National Interest’ published his article, ‘One more reason to worry about Pakistan’s nukes’. He wrote, “Yet one of the most troubling changes occurred on the very last day of 2013, and with little fanfare. On December 31, according to Pakistani media reports, Lt. General Khalid Kidwai logged his last day as head of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), the entity in charge of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.” Last month, Michael Kugelman had written a lengthy essay in America’s Foreign Policy magazine titled, ‘The most magnificent delusion’, in which he used all the arguments given by Hussain Haqqani in his book to paint Pakistan in malicious light, maligning its nuclear assets.

It is regrettable that the US-led propagandists like Michael Kugelman naively argue that Pakistani nukes may fall in the hands of terrorists attacking sensitive air bases in Pakistan. The absurd contents assert that Pakistan is producing tactical nuclear weapons, meant for actual battlefield use with conventional forces—for short range use against India. He explains that consequently, these will be removed from locked-down and secured bases, making them tremendously vulnerable to seizure and attack, or accident.

It is notable that on September 3, 2013, The Washington Post, while quoting American former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, published a 178-page summary of the US intelligence community’s “black budget”, which disclosed that the US has ramped up its surveillance of Pakistan’s nuclear arms. The Post allegedly elaborated, “US intelligence agencies are focused on the possibility that Pakistan’s nuclear facilities might come under attack by Islamist militants. Pakistan has dozens of production and storage sites scattered across the country and the budget documents indicate that Pakistan is adding to that stockpile. Little is known about how it moves materials among its facilities, an area of potential vulnerability. Concerns persist that extremists could seize components of the stockpile or trigger a war with neighboring India.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman rejected the story, published in The Washington Post as baseless and stated, “Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state, with robust command and control structure and comprehensive export controls…its nuclear programme is purely for its own legitimate self-defence and maintenance of a credible, minimum deterrence…Pakistan supports objectives of non-proliferation as well as nuclear safety and security.” 

In fact, overtly, US high officials remark that they seek stability in Pakistan, but covertly, they continue to destabilize it through multi-faceted subversive activities of the American CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad. With the assistance of these secret agencies, Indo-Israeli lobbies which are working in Europe and especially, penetrated in the US administration including their media manipulate any major terror event in Pakistan in order to show to the international community that this country’s atomic weapons are not safe as militants can possess them.

It is mentionable that in 2009 when the heavily-armed Taliban entered Swat, Dir, Buner and other adjoining areas, US high officials and their media had exaggerated the ‘Talibinisation’ of whole Pakistan, while showing concerns about Pakistan’s atomic arms. In that context, the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had warned that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. But when Pakistan’s armed forces ejected the Taliban insurgents out of Swat, Dir and Buner by breaking their backbone, then American top officials had admired the capabilities of Pak Army.

When insurgents had attacked on Pakistan’s Naval Airbase in Karachi on May 23, 2011, US-led some western countries including India and Israel exploited the situation through disinformation about the security of Pak nukes. 

Similarly, terrorists’ assault on Kamra Base was successfully foiled by the personnel of Pakistan Air Force, but, a baseless report, published in the New York Times on the same day indicated that suspected militants attacked a major Pakistani Air Force base where some of the country’s nuclear weapons were considered to be stored in the early hours of the militants’ attack. The report also presumed, “The base is part of Pakistan s nuclear stockpile, estimated to include at least 100 warheads.”

The ex-US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta also stated on the same day, “There is a danger of nuclear weapons of Pakistan, falling into hands of terrorists.”

It is of particular attention that while taking cognizance of the anti-Pakistan developments, Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad disclosed on June 7, 2011 that there was “accurate information…Americans are to sabotage Pakistan’s nuclear facilities to find dominance over the country.” While also indicating Zionist regime behind the conspiracy, he revealed that for this purpose, the US can also use “the United Nations Security Council and some other international organizations as tools to exercise pressure on Pakistan and weaken its national integrity.”

Notably, US and other hostile countries which feel jealousy in relation to Pakistan’s atomic assets must better have concerns about India’s nuclear weapons which are quite insecure. Indian past record proves various kinds of security lapses regarding various nuclear plants and the related sensitive materials. In this context, events of nuclear theft, smuggling and killing have become a regular feature of Indian atomic plants which still continue in one way or the other.

It is of noteworthy that while recognizing an inter-relationship between war against terrorism in Afghanistan, issue of Kashmir and arms race between Pakistan and India, the US President Barack Obama stated on September 25, 2008 that it is part of his policy “to encourage India and Pakistan to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and resolve the Kashmir problem to reduce nuclear dangers in South Asia. On a number of occasions, he and his aides like Mr Riedel had re-affirmed had that settlement of the Kashmir issue was essential for fighting terrorism.

Surprisingly, Obama and his high officials have totally neglected their previous statements regarding the solution of Kashmir issue which is the root cause of tension not only between Pakistan and India, but for the whole region. However, politicians may back out of their statements, but it is not the job of statements to eat their own words.

It is the right hour that US-led western world must realize that the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan is the real cause of concern, and is a nuclear flash point. If this core dispute is resolved, it will guarantee permanent peace between the two neighboring countries, besides safeguarding American and major powers’ interests in the region as well as the whole world. In case, Kashmir issue is peacefully settled, tactical and strategic level atomic weapons will become irrelevant for Islamabad and New Delhi.

Notably, by setting aside the Indian irresponsible record of proliferation, the US signed a defence agreement with India, pressurized International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on larger scale, while the latter has not signed the NPT. 

Nevertheless, despite the repeated assurances of Pakistan’s military and civil leadership that Pak nukes are well-protected and are under tight security arrangements, having well-coordinated command and control system, a deliberate propaganda campaign against the safety of these armaments keeps on going by the Europe, particularly US and India. The aim of such propaganda is to depict Pakistan’s nukes as hazardous and risk-prone.

In light of the above analysis, the propagandists like Michael Kugelman must understand as to why possibility of a nuclear clash between India and Pakistan exits, and as to why endless propaganda continues against Pak nukes.