Finally
It is telling that despite a very large following nobody mourned Malik Ishaq’s sudden departure, at least not publically. And it is even more telling, in hindsight, that the entire high command of Malik’s banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi was dispatch at once. The message – if there was one here – could not have been louder or clearer. Zarb-e-Azb will move down from the mountains into urban centres that have long housed these one-time proxies that turned on the state around the time of the ’07 lal masjid disaster. For some time now LeJ was the local al Qaeda franchise, and for at least a couple of years their men have been fighting alongside IS in the Levant, where killing minorities has become easier, and far more profitable, than in Pakistan.
However, now that the chapter on one of the country’s worst-ever, self-professed mass murderers has closed, it is important for the authorities to chart the future very carefully. Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) deserve much credit for keeping a lid on South Punjab, especially Malik’s native Rahim Yar Khan. Indeed it was the immediate fallout more than the ‘encounter’ that convinced skeptics of the determination right at the very top. LEAs have now gained the initiative in Punjab. It is important to build on it.
Pakistan’s position has also improved internationally. Those accusing Islamabad of continuing to cajole some of these hardliners will be forced to revise their scripts. India’s right wingers will be somewhat pacified. So will doubters in America. And we are already on an improved trajectory with Afghanistan because of the Taliban talks. But now that the fight is going well, it is more important than ever to build the national narrative that was supposed to win back hearts and minds in this existential war. The enemy thrives because of its irrational, even perverted interpretation of religion. It is up to the state to ensure curricula are revised and hate mongers are apprehended. Till then, this fight cannot be truly won. For now, though, the country has scored another win in this fight and finally another villain has seen his end.