What did the former DG ISPR wanted to achieve?
Whatever the motivation for the statement given by the former DG ISPR Major General (retd) Athar Abbas – that the military operation in North Waziristan for which preparations had been made to be launched in 2011 – could not be initiated due to reluctance on part of the COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, the fact remains that it was untimely, irresponsible and an out of context convulsion. The plan, as is evident, was drawn up with the blessings of the COAS. However, its implementation depended on a host of factors apart from military preparedness. If it was delayed, there might have been cogent reasons for putting it on hold.
The ostensible reason seems a sudden nosedive in relations between Pakistan and US in the backdrop of the Abbottabad incident and attack on Salala. That was also the time when Kabul-India nexus was supporting the TTP and sponsoring across the border attacks on Pakistani territory by its factions based in Afghanistan. Pakistan could not expect any cooperation from the Kabul government to manage the border and prevent fleeing TTP militants from crossing over to Afghanistan, regroup there and resume their activities at an appropriate time. Under the circumstances the launch of the military action would not only have scuttled the chances of its success but also created a host of other intractable problems. From that perspective the decision to put the operation on hold in 2011 seems quite pragmatic.
As compared to 2011, the timing and circumstances for launching Zarb-e-Azab are much better, promising greater success. Relations with the US have been resurrected, ties with Afghan government are on the upward curve due to the new narrative on Afghanistan adopted by the present government. The process started from the 8th Trilateral Summit at Ankara early this year, where Karzai for the first time expressed his confidence and trust in efforts that Pakistan was making to promote peace in Afghanistan and made the commitment not to allow TTP militants to use Afghan soil for attacks on Pakistan and check the activities of the terrorists which were detrimental to regional peace and good neighbourly relations between the two countries.
The COAS General Raheel Sharif visited Afghanistan last month where he met the ISAF commander and Afghan military chief. The trilateral meeting acknowledged the fact that Pakistan had lived up to its commitment of not taking sides or meddling in the first round of the presidential elections. It was also decided to ensure better management of the Pak-Afghan border in that meeting. The recent meetings between the military authorities of both the countries have also helped in enhancing cooperation between the two countries in regards to across the border movement of the terrorists.
Like the Swat operation, Zarb-e-Azab, launched on 15th June, also has two dimensions to it: clearing North Waziristan of the terrorists who had made it their base and last abode to carry on their nefarious acts against military and civilian targets, and providing succor the IDPs till such time the military objective was achieved and then their resettlement in their homes. If history is any guide, there is no reason for any skepticism regarding the ability and strength of the army to deal with anti-state elements and their prowess and capability, and in collaboration with the civilian authorities to amicably handle the issue of the IDPs and their return and resettlement in their respective areas. In Swat the number of IDPs was well over two million whereas the IDPs from North Waziristan are slightly more than half a million.
The military campaign enjoying unqualified support of the entire nation is well on track and hopefully would reach its logical conclusion within the shortest possible time. The issue of the IDPs also needs a similar kind of spirit and resolve on the part of the nation to ensure that their hardships and sufferings associated with displacement were minimised to the possible extent and their spirits kept high. They are the ones who, apart from soldiers, are actually contributing to the effort to eliminate existentialist threat to the country and making our lives safe. Their sacrifices are the epitome of the national resolve to eliminate the scourge of terrorism.
The society can do its bit by generously donating to the relief fund set up by the government because it is difficult for the government to take the entire financial burden due to resource constraints, though it is sparing no effort to mitigate the suffering of the IDPs. Donations and necessary help is also pouring in from the international community and World Food Programme. Some political and religious parties and NGOs are also involved in providing relief to them. However, everything put together, the response is still far less than the enormity of the challenge. Our political elite and members of the parliament who have made billions from the political industry and the system that has promoted a political culture of graft and entitlement, have not come forward with any substantial contribution. Reportedly they would contribute their one-day salary to the fund which is a shame indeed. Probably humanitarian issues are not on their priority list and they do not believe in making contributions to a cause which gives them no return.
Hats off to Malik Riaz of Bahria Town for his magnanimous gesture of announcing a contribution of Rs5 billion for the IDPs and the offer to look after one hundred thousand of them during the period of their displacement. This large heartedness needs to be emulated by more and more business tycoons of the country, the landlords and the politicians whose fortunes run into trillions of rupees and the philanthropists. IDPs are our brothers and fellow countrymen who deserve to be looked after in a befitting manner.
Reportedly IDPs are facing difficulties due to some administrative and logistical inadequacies and other related causes. Such hiccups are bound to occur when a large number of people are displaced and handled. There would indeed be some hardships for the IDPs which they would have to endure because it is humanly not possible to make fool-proof arrangements for such a large population. The government is doing its utmost to deal with the difficulties and impediments that affect the relief work.
The media, especially some electronic channels seem more intent on highlighting the plight of the IDPs instead of bringing into public view the amount of effort which is going into shouldering the responsibility from the official sources. It was indeed disappointing to read a comment by a renowned journalist and analyst of a national daily that the people of North Waziristan were being punished for not expelling the terrorists and foreign fighters from their soil. This is the time when media has a big responsibility in boosting the morale of the IDPs and motivating the people to stand behind them. It needs to be more circumspect and evince a sense of social responsibility. Humanitarian causes and issues also have an element of sensitivity and emotionalism about them which should always be kept in view while reporting about them.