| Islam,Terrorism and Jihad | |
| 28 Aug 2008, NewAgeIslam.Com | |
| Pakistan: Terrorism and us | |
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By Mir Jamilur Rahman August 27, 2008
The Taliban and Al Qaeda are the principal actors that have used terror tactics to destabilise Pakistan. They are driven and motivated by an outdated ideology. They want destabilisation of Pakistan for two reasons. First, they want to use Pakistani territory to mount terrorist attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan. Two, they want to replace our democratic form of government and our values of tolerance with their brand of fundamentalist government. They could only achieve their nefarious goal if they could evict the NATO force from Afghanistan. That does not seem likely. Therefore they are now focusing on Pakistan to carry out their mission of disruption through terrorism.
Terrorism in Pakistan is mainly a result of Pakistan's support of the US, in return for American financial and military support. Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists view America as the devil and any cooperation with the US as an affront to Islam. These elements are very critical of Pakistan's participation in the war against terrorism. They accuse the government of fighting America's war. No doubt, it is in America's and Europe's security interest to defeat terrorism, but it is also in the interest of Pakistan that terrorism is banished from here and the world.
The war on terrorism had a major impact on Pakistan. Terrorism inside Pakistan has doubled since 9/11. After the NATO invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan had to face direct threats of the Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Terrorists killed 907 people and injured 1,543 others in Pakistan in 2006. In the year 2007, terrorist attacks resulted in 3,448 casualties from 1,503 attacks and clashes according to Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) security report. The most dastardly terrorist attack was carried out last year in October when the motorcade of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was attacked in Karachi resulting in 139 dead. She survived the attack but was assassinated two months later in Rawalpindi.
Taliban sent a strong reminder of their agenda when two of their suicide bombers brought havoc to the peaceful town of Wah Cantt near Islamabad. They killed 70 and injured another 100, leaving the citizens in grief and shock. Wah is a high security town because of its ordnance factory and yet the suicide bombers succeeded in penetrating its security. To be sure, there is perhaps no way to stop a suicide bomber from breaching the security if he is willing to forfeit his life. As an American president once said, it is not very difficult to assassinate the president of the US provided the assassin is prepared to give up his life.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani visited the scene of the Wah carnage to condole with the people who lost their breadwinners and near and dear ones. He assured them of the government's support in their rehabilitation. The prime minister told a news conference in Wah that economy and law and order are the priorities of his government.
While speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Mr Gilani sought the support of all political parties and parliament to devise a policy to curb terrorism. He informed the House that his government has adopted a 3-pronged strategy to destroy the menace of terrorism. First, he would initiate political dialogue with the people of tribal areas. Second, his government would enter into dialogue with people who will disarm. Third, his government would provide education, healthcare and jobs to the people of the tribal area.
The anti-terror strategy also includes military operation if all else failed. It is due to this policy that the Pakistani Taliban is now seeking ceasefire in Bajaur Agency where fierce fighting between the Taliban and Pakistan's security forces has been going on for the last two weeks. Advisor to the prime minister Mr Rehman Malik rejecting the ceasefire offer has asked the Taliban that if they are sincere, then they should surrender first.
Terrorism in Pakistan has been a major factor contributing to economic sluggishness. The foreign investor has disappeared. The local entrepreneur is reluctant to invest. The world cricket teams have refused to play matches in a terrorist-infested country. The government needs an iron hand to annihilate terrorism in Pakistan. Otherwise, Pakistan will be left far, far behind.
The writer is a freelance columnist. Email: mirjrahman@hotmail.com
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