Rethinking Islam with Sultan Shahin

War on Terror 01 Aug 2008, NewAgeIslam.Com Back to square one in Swat

A wave of counter-propaganda to ease people out of the stranglehold of militants needed

Friday, August 01, 2008
The frustrating cycle of a deal, followed by renewed conflict, has been played out in Swat -- as has happened elsewhere. After a brief lull that lasted several weeks, a full-fledged operation has begun in the area. Up to five soldiers, including a major, and at least 48 militants have lost their lives. The local Taliban have also claimed 25 security personnel, presumably the persons taken hostage during a militant attack on a security checkpost in Matta tehsil have been killed. The incident triggered off the new round of open conflict. Militants are reported to have felled trees in an effort to block roads, the charred PTDC motel at Malam Jabba -- mysteriously a key target of militant rage -- has now been blown to pieces and another school burnt down.

Gunship helicopters hover over the region, the boom of guns is heard once more and some reports say a cleric believed to be the mastermind behind past suicide attacks has been killed. Both sides blame the other for breaking the terms of the peace deal. From an outside perspective, it seems though the key blame for this must lie with militants who began a new campaign of attacks on schools and shops, with the leader, Maulana Fazlullah, issuing an unabashed threat of still greater violence.

Clearly, the militants care nothing for promises or for the people of the area, trapped in a conflict that has ripped the economy and social structure of the area into small shreds. One can only wonder what the Buddha, who still looks down serenely on parts of the Swat Valley from rock cliffs that stand over the area, makes of this descent into chaos in a part of the world where the Gandhara civilization once flourished. Of course, in some places, even Buddha himself has not been spared -- with his image blown up by militants bent on destruction and driven by blinding intolerance.

One must hope that all those involved in the Swat peace deal have learnt some lessons from their experience. The events this month make it obvious there is no point in trying to reach accords with militants. These persons are obviously untrustworthy, are interested in exploiting any peace agreement only for their own cause and simply have little to gain from an end to conflict. They quite evidently realize this would also threaten their reign over the terrorized people of the area. Authorities must then tackle these elements using a different strategy. The rule of law must be enforced and criminals treated as such.

At the same time there is a need for a swift development initiative and a wave of counter-propaganda to ease people out of the stranglehold of militants, and persuade them that they have a lot to gain by working with, rather than against the government. Many in the area are of course already aware of this and seek essentially an end to fighting. It is the duty of the government to ensure they are not denied this peace any longer.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=127584