The Pakistan military is fighting the strangest of all wars of the history of mankind. Yes the history of mankind, because (a) it is unique in nature and kind – it is neither a conventional war nor unconventional, but asymmetrical one, seemingly unending and hydra-headed; (b) It has many facets and fronts, yet it is being fought without a visible front with usually a shadow enemy within, that too within its own territory and with a section of own society; (c) It is being fought between a seemingly single ideology as both sides believe in one religion, with apparently no chronicle account of sectarian differences, not between the historical Shia-Sunni divides but with a lately emerged ‘ideology of forced convenience’; (d) It is being fought in an environment of isolation and crisis of political leadership – neither the civil society nor the political stratum are fully supportive, nor do the economic and diplomatic conditions commensurate with our defence needs; (e) and above all the fourth pillar of state, partially the print and mostly electronic media, is not playing the role of a pillar in its true letter and spirit – the national trend, societal response and official approach are not that of a nation at war.
Hence to the close watch of historians and war observers, the successes of this most difficult war are enormous – the January 2009 Stratfor forecast saw an ensuing breakup of FATA from Pakistan by September 2009, the opening of Greater Corridor by 31 July, 2010, and dismantling of the Pakistan Armed Forces later, but, al-Hamd-o-Lillah, this has not happened. The credit goes to the jawans and officers, the commanders at their front and leadership at their back; and thousands of martyrs who have laid their lives while fighting this hydra-headed war, bravely and courageously. The war has not stopped; the sacrifices have not stopped, too.
Under this environment the debate is going on whether or not an operation is to start in North Waziristan or whether or not the military leadership is willing to go for it. The Malala incident gave a spur to the assessment that this might lead to the launching of an all-encompassing military operation. Whenever there had been a talk of an operation, the voices against across the country from the political mainstream are raised. Despite a nationwide outrage over the attempt to kill the 14-year-old Swat schoolgirl, there is a strong opposition to launching this operation.
Therefore, the army leadership must be fully cognizant of the fact that it is only the political government that has to decide, as it had taken the decision earlier for operations in Swat, or elsewhere. Linking the barbaric attack on innocent Malala to launching an operation in NWA is somehow a disgrace to honouring the symbol of hope of the future of this country. Malala’s sacrifice has demonstrated that the only counter to the militants is not a bullet. It is education and awareness, it is realisation and recognition; it is unity and agreement. May Pakistan live long!
F Z KHAN
Islamabad