Militant outfits must shun terrorism for good
Here it is: the first talk between the newly formed committee of the government and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan took place a few days ago. The government’s team was headed by Secretary Ports and Shipping Habibullah Khan Khattak. The three members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan were headed by Maulana Samiul Haq. Some members of TTP Shura were also in attendance. According to a local newspaper report the venue was the house of one Mohammad Jamil, a retired Levies subedar in Bilandkhel area.
The same report states the talks revolved around two points; first, extending the ceasefire between the government and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and second, release of detainees who may technically be deemed as ‘non-combatants’. All this leaving aside, for the time being the ethical question as to whether or not talks should be held with those who have committed crimes against the state.
Let us examine the situation at hand and where it can go from here.
First, the government must have a blueprint of its own objectives and advantages to be extracted from the talks. There is a difference between walking into negotiations with no point-by-point objectives, going with the tide so to speak and going in with clear cut objectives. In the former scenario, the situation is fluid and the government committee may end up appeasing the militants rather than gaining much in return and in the latter situation the government can contain terrorism.
Terrorism by the non-state actors has impacted the society causing great loss to lives having a cascading negative effect on the economy of the country. Pakistan must focus on developing its economy, on restoring sustained power at both domestic and industrial levels among myriad other issues – including terrorism. The causes that provide a fertile breeding ground to terrorism can no longer be brushed under the carpet and must be dealt with a firm hand.
Second, the government committee must bring in a broader picture into the talks if any agreement has to sustain over a period of time. Releasing prisoners and extending ceasefire though can be a start, a beginning at best, but nothing more. This too must be agreed to and acted upon only if certain understanding on broader issues is reached first. Should this not happen, once these short term steps are taken, Pakistan may well be back to square one.
The government must aim first towards a permanent end to terrorism by the militant outfits. Now, if some outfits support the peace talks and adhere to refrain from terrorist activities while others continue with the terrorist activities it not only sabotages the process but also raises the question on the authority the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan committee members’ exercises over other splinter organizations. What must be clearly laid out is that if TTP committee has entered into talks with the government they must squarely accept the responsibility for any deviants and must deal with them with a very strong hand themselves while providing conclusive proof that it was so done, in order to build up a confidence level with the government.
Of course, the possibility that peace talks are being used by TTP to gain time till the regional geopolitics is clearer cannot be ignored. In which case, you just need to trash this piece!
Can the TTP commit on a permanent basis that these militants will never use the weapons against Pakistan and her innocent people who have been the victims of hate? Can the government convince the militants to lay down their arms? Who then will ‘hold’ these arms? Will they be turned in? Will they be retained by TTP leader(s)? These questions are of paramount importance in practical terms. These also define the long term thought process of the TTP.
Will the government in these talks be looking at complete outfits’ numbers in different areas and developing a programme to induct them into the mainstream? If not, what are these members supposed to do even if a ceasefire on some permanent basis is achieved? What is their future – a standby army, too tempting for vested interests not to use it at some point in time?
The government must also determine in its objective plan, what exactly it plans to give away in exchange for peace on a permanent basis. If the TTP and its affiliates want an agreement to secure peace inside and outside Pakistan, they will demand their pound of flesh. What exactly is that pound of flesh? Can the government afford to deliver? If it can deliver, what guarantee will the government ask for, so that the promise will be kept? This is a loaded question however you may look at it.
Of course, the possibility that peace talks are being used by TTP to gain time till the regional geopolitics is clearer cannot be ignored. In which case you just need to trash this piece!
Coming to the two points discussed in the maiden meeting, the TTP members’ committee has demanded that the government is allegedly holding 400 members of theirs as captive while refusing to release sons of both (former) PM Gilani and (late) governor SalmanTaseer. The government needs to put together a complete list of all (if any) abducted and put it on the table, not just two.
In a more recent development, Chaudhry Nisar has chaired Taliban and government committee meeting. Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) and head of the Taliban negotiation committee, Maulana Samiul Haq is quoted by a local newspaper, “the agenda for the next round of direct talks with the Taliban will be worked out after the government makes its stance public… The Interior Minister has sought some time,” he told the mediamen.”
In any negotiation, there are minimum two parties involved. Each must give some and take some. No negotiation of any nature can be one-sided. Definition of negotiation is, “to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.” In any given treaty, contract or bargain, it is unreasonable to expect that interests of one party should be completely ignored at the expense of the other party.
Ram Dassa, known spiritual person of USA, said about negotiations, “We’re fascinated by the words – but where we meet is in the silence behind them.”
Tailpiece:
“Investigations into the March 3 Islamabad Judicial Complex attack that killed ten people and the March 21 twin bombings in Peshawar that killed 20 people have concluded that these assaults were ordered by the TTP top brass which were then planned and executed by four Taliban commanders – Qari Mansoor and Mufti Hasan from the Mohmand Agency, Hafiz Daulat from the Orakzai Agency and Abdullah from the Khyber Agency. According to well-informed sources in security agencies, those investigating the three terrorist attacks (claimed by the little known Ahrarul Hind) have been able to collect credible evidence which shows that these assaults had been ordered by none other than the fugitive TTP ameer Mullah Fazlullah in a bid to further erode the authority of the government especially at a time when it was holding talks with the Taliban.” (Published March 28, 2014)
Exactly what advantage people of Pakistan get from these talks or extended talk. We get the wrath of some groups who want to sabotage the talk as Mulla Samiul Haque says or as has been determined that they were ordered by the Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan, while, the Taliban get the security and time. In my opinion, the Taliban were assure by their well wishers in the Government that no action was planned for that time and they in bulk, cozyed in the valleys and indulged in gross atrocities like playing football with head of our soldiers, then came the punitive Air strikes which bore heavily on the Taliban and they asked their well wishers to arrange a
respite.
Once the Ice melts from the higher passes and they can take to the hundreds of high valleys they would call it a day.That day is not very far, the rain of last week in the mountains may have already done the job.
Make American Audience frightened of their nuisance is gone.
False and fake flagship of democracy is ending.
Use this moment with behjet gillani to pass on your understanding of the dramatics.
We all how we all enjoy the heat of summers.
Make American Audience frightened of their nuisance is gone. its a whole army scattered across 2200 miles. Even a well disciplined army like the marines are finding it hard to fight a war.
Ms Yasmeen, You are doing a good job of keeping everyone informed, and taking a position on important issues.
We should have had the policy of 'proportionate response,' from day one, like Israelis, have had for the last 50 years.
Much to the objections of the international community, they built a fence, there was no suicide attack after that.
They moment crude rockets are fired from Ghaza, Israeli air force goes into action. Losing 60,000 lives, and 80 billion dollars was no strategy.
It is more like Chinese torture – drip, drip. Islam permits proportionate response. Taking a beating, to keep on hoping against hope, or keep on saying, like a little kid, "You have hurt me again," was not an effective way to counter this menace. Identify those, who train suicide bombers, and identify those, who make bombs, send hit squads after them. Put some of them on national TV, and ask them about their financiers. It costs money to buy weapons. That should help reduce considerable damage. The tragedy of our lives is, that they have been told, that it is OK, to kill fellow Muslims. A mind set can't be negotiated, 'but if, then,' will work.
Thanks. Well said but will the Big Ass listen. I am told he does
not read newspapers nor watch the TV debates and news-castes.
Probably It’s all based on a deal between NS and KSA to supply fighters and guns to Syrian and Caucasus arenas, it’s all unfolding now, why Pakistans elections were bought, rigged by hom and for what
nice. I wrote something similar in a status some 4 months ago. The practical steps for any peace talks.
1. Get to table and initiate a cease fire. (Already done)
Start a Truth and reconciliation committee of respected Judges and or respectable tribal elders to address grievances by both sides, as to why Pakistan allowed drones, Army & Taliban killed people in captivity and why TTP bombed in cities, which resulted in civilian and military deaths, and as to why they bombed the chruch etc.
3. To give blood money for those killed in the bomb attacks as well as those killed by suicide bombers, grenade attacks and firing.
4. A code of conduct to be developed binding on both groups (Army and TTP) to maintain Cease Fire.
4. A joint plan to handle the so called splinter groups who have a different agenda due to their affiliations such as armed sectarian killers who reside in Tribal areas even before the advent of Taliban. This must be given by the tribal elders and judgees or respectable citizen who are arbitrating the dispute.
5. Creation of peace zone so that, people who are not involved in the fight between TTP and Army are not harmed as a fall back strategy.
6. After Truth and reconciliation, an amnesty first to those who are not involved in Armed conflict to return to cities and those who lay down arms especially young kids, it should be a significant event so that it is visible for others that they are disarming themselves.
7. A complete disarmament if possible of tribal areas. To cut down on chemical suppliers who provide the fertilizer and nitrates for making bombs.
8. To integrate the militants people back into society with respectable jobs, like what Russia did with some of the Chechen fighters.
I really wonder why govt doesn't call a meeting with intelligentsia of the country and seek their suggestions ! Could be well worth it
TTP is fooling the Govt . Our PM and Ch Nisar have fallen into the trap. Taliban have never been and will never be serious in negotiating peace. It does not suit them to give up using their weapons to gain power and funds. They simply want to get as many of their colleagues released as they can force the Govt to succumb. They want some area free of Army threat so that they can establish their bases and training areas. They needed time to recover from the hit they received at the hands of Air Force and Helicopters when they were caught by surprise.
The Army is well aware of the consequences but do not want to obstruct or take the blame for failure of talks which would ultimately happen unless an agreement which suits the Taliban is signed.
Javed
Excellent Article!! Nothing will come out of it….yet another course to divert attention of the starved masses!!
At no point any one has even implied that all those who live in high valleys are savages. I clearly meant high passes as route for dispersal of the savage barbarians who commit mass murder of people and consist of all sorts and shades of people from Uzbeck to Punjabi. It is no dark thinking to call mass murderers savages, until you happen to be one who thinks that killing people who do not even know who is killing them was a Jihad. I ask all supporters of Talibans please do not give colour of race to the Talibanization it is a selfish narrow minded vision of misguided people under the corrupted Mardin Fatawa of over 750 year old.I love the people of these mountains and help them in my private capacity, in my town because I have lived among them for nearly half a century. For you Miran Shah might be a romantic name but for me it is a real place where I lived and worked.I also consider that those who believed in the Mardin Fatawa need to revisit that corrupt Fatwa which has been recently found in original.
best regards
A very well analysed article and no doubt it has to be on the basis of a fair give and take by both sides.Nevertheless steps must also be taken to plug all the sources that are providing the lethal arms and ammunition to the TTP. And in case they are playing for time and eventually back out then they must also find it difficult to go back to their brutal ways.They must also realize that the unity of Pakistan comes first and foremost everytime
Dear Yasmeem
I am also attaching a write -up or rather an appeal that has been written by one of my friend and admirer on my book Nothing But! Will be grateful if you could pass it on to your friuends and contacts in Pakistan.
With warm regards
Samir
Thanks Yasmeen. Very good suggestions but road maps are in short supply—!!!
No matter how many times this Government denies the reality of their darkside! Never will they have the ability to lighten the path for the Nation. Just as we read the statement of Sartaj Aziz on supply of arms to Saudi Arabia and balancing the See-Saw Act with Iran.
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