When compared with the period 2003-07, the overall situation in Wana region of South Waziristan is satisfactory, where routine socio-economic and educational activities are in the full swing. Development work in certain parts of the area is in progress while the civil and military circles are doing their best for restoring writ of the state.
“Sustainable peace is achieved through political means,” remarked General Officer Commanding Maj Gen Rizwan while talking to a media group in Wana, the agency headquarters of South Waziristan. Now the armed forces, besides hunting down the militants in scattered areas of South Waziristan, are also extending support to the civil administration in restoring the trust of the tribesmen, which has been shattered in recent past.
“Though the political process is slow but it is always effective,” he remarked and diverted attention towards a peaceful atmosphere, which according to him, is a result of an agreement signed between the government and locals. According to the agreement, signed in March 2007, the tribesmen promised not to allow foreign and non local militants to stay on their soil, a pledge, which both civil and military circles claim, has been fulfilled. The group, comprising people from both print and electronic media, were briefed on the involvement of the armed forces in development activities and strengthening of the political process. The visiting journalists were enabled to meet a group of elders from Ahmadzai Wazir, Dotani and Sulaiman Khel tribes. Similarly, students of the cadent college and certain other private schools were also provided a chance to convey their messages and sentiments to rest of the world.
Almost of the elders endorsed the claims made by the authorities regarding satisfactory law and order situation, flushing out the militants and a rejuvenated development process.
Maj Gen Rizwan at one stage said, “In comparison with certain settled districts and major cities, law and order situation in South Waziristan is better.” Similar views were expressed by Malik Anwar Khan from Sulaiman Khel tribe. In a brief chat with Pakistan Today, he was satisfied over law and order while Malik Aziz Ullah from Ahmadzai tribe was also of the same opinion. However, absence of elders from Mehsud tribe showed certain problems in Ladha Sub Division, where the IDPs are reluctant to be repatriated.
Students from the armed forces-controlled cadet college and private institutions termed the education system satisfactory. However, certain students of private schools were disappointed over the lack of infrastructure. The local students said more than 90 percent seats in the cadet college were available for the students from other parts of the country. They demanded allocating maximum slots for the locals. In Wana Bazaar, almost shops were open where it was observed that development and construction activities were in progress. The government besides addressing socio-economic needs of tribesmen is also focusing expansion of road network in the tribal district while a suitable environment is being created for the return of the IDPs from the Mehsuds-dominated areas who have abandoned homes in operation Raah-i-Nijat in late 2009. So far around 5,000 families have returned whereas efforts are under way for the repatriation of remaining. It is speculated that some of the IDP’s are reluctant to be repatriated on security grounds. From 2003 till 2008, the Wana region in particular and rest of South Waziristan in general remained a hub of extremism, as not only the local militants also those from Central Asia loyal to Qari Tahir Yuldeshev, the then chief of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, were in power. Targeted killings had claimed the lives of hundreds of people including 365 leading elders. Even the families of certain traditionally influential tribal elders suffered a lot. Almost government schools remained shuttered and kidnapping for ransom and car lifting were a major source of ‘revenue’ for terrorism. In fact, the local tribesmen were made hostages by the Uzbek and Chechen militants.
The civil and military circles finally approached the local tribesmen for signing of the peace agreement and organising a lashkar in March 2007. The move motivated the local tribesmen after which the Uzbeks and Chechens were flushed out from the region. A militant commander namely Mullah Nazir was made chief of the Lashkar and local supporters of the militants were disintegrated. The agreement is yielding positive outcomes but certain elements within the peace Lashkar are still linked to certain al Qaeda fugitives, both Arabs and non Arabs. Such links are considered a major reason behind the frequent US drone attacks. The GOC in his chat with media also confirmed that the area is being used by militants for transit purposes whereas certain top militants are sheltering in border regions with North Waziristan.
