Drone attacks by the US in Pakistani tribal areas is serving as the fundamental framework upon which the militant groups operate in order to pose resistance to the US interference in their homes.
The increase in drone attacks subsequently leads to an increase in momentum of the militant backlash. The local populace driven by the need to seek vengeance upon the oppressive force joins hands with the militants that preach their extremist agenda through the popular notion of anti-Americanism, thus forming the basis of this shared extremist ideology.
Anti-American sentiments are on their peak and mere condemnation of drone attacks on the part of the authority further aids this shift in the public mind set towards a radicalised philosophy. This has increased the gap between the public and the leadership where both are standing on opposite sides of the fence.
The leaders ought to change their narrative and vehemently condemn drone attacks as an act of aggression against the sovereignty of Pakistan and work to reduce the frequency. The Pakistani version of the story should be made public and communicated on a global level.
Furthermore, it should be ensured that collateral damage remains minimal. This can be done by an equal participation of Pakistani forces that have better background and ethnographic details to make the attacks more effective. No attack should be launched without counterchecking from multiple sources.
Studies should be conducted that provide an objective analysis of the percentage of gains made by drone attacks. If the gains remain minimal, the process should be declared ineffective in the light of the studies. Apart from this, the sentiments of the local populace need to be given precedence measures ought to be taken to make their lives secure.
LUBNA UMAR
Islamabad
