Visit of PM to Tajikistan
Till the writing of these reflections, operation Zarb-i-Azb is in full swing in North Waziristan, aiming to root out all the foreign or local terrorist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Al-Qaeda, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Afghan militant factions such as the Haqqani network. Visit of PM to Tajikistan Almost 30,000 soldiers are in this joint operation involving Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, artillery, tanks, and ground troops.
Named after the sword of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), the operation was started
on 15 June after the peace talks between the government and the Taliban failed. The operation started, after much delay, exactly after a week after a fierce attack on Karachi International Airport.
It is also a good sign that regional and national cooperation is building up to counter the emerging threat that will engulf the whole region. Voices of support for this operation have surfaced from regional and international actors.
Recent meaningful and softer-toned communications between Pakistan and Afghanistan leaders are also a welcoming sign while on the other hand army and government are also on the same page for showing no sign of sympathy for the good or bad Taliban.
There is a strong need that this coordination between Pak and Afghan authorities should continue while also the cooperation with and from the U.S. is necessary too since it has a considerable military presence in Afghanistan. Cooperation with other regional countries like India, Iran, and Central Asian states would help to ensure that the fleeing terrorists from North Waziristan do not find sanctuaries elsewhere in the region as militancy is not only a problem for Pakistan but it is a substantial threat to the entire region.
One issue that needs urgent attention from all quarters is the massive exodus from the conflict zones and their possible rehabilitation and care according to Fata Disaster
Management Authority over 500,000 IDPs registered so far and the number could
reach up to 600,000 as the operation progressed.
All that is required to be done for the IDPs from North Waziristan, should be done with sincere and honest efforts including enough rations for the families, health care facilities, clean drinking water, and most significant of all an attitude of accommodation.
Tough and heartless rhetoric of various civil society activists and provincial government officials, regarding not allowing spaces for these conflict-ridden people in different regions of
Pakistan is simply unacceptable and not what has remained a model in our glorious past.
Also deplorable is the recent chaos created by the so-called revolutionaries led by Canadian-based clerk Tahir-ul-Qadri. This political upheaval is not at the best of its times since the army and government are fighting a “war of survival” against terrorism and ever-mounting insurgency. Instead of stretching a helping hand and standing in unity to fight this menace with the state, these politicians are playing their own games for achieving power.
The government itself is somewhere responsible for this chaotic situation as it ultimately failed to handle the situation as it emerged. This unexpected drama began soon after the deaths of eight persons during the clashes of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers with Punjab police on removing the illegal barriers around Dr.Qadri’s mansion.
The incident that took place is ridiculous and that too at a time when the security situation in the country is so sensitive and is on high alert as a result of an offensive against the militants. Not only did this mess test the strength and wisdom of the police but also of those at the helm of affairs. Had the PAT worked to let the police do their job, this could have been done in a peaceful manner.
Opposition leadership, especially those who are trying to make grand alliances to derail the ongoing democracy, must learn the art of healthy, constructive, and positive opposition rather than being engaged in creating trouble and turmoil for the state thus inviting the antidemocratic forces to destabilize the country’s politics.
The government needs to act wisely against the emerging challenges and reinforce the democratic credentials and regard for the great common democratic system that is on its way. Another concern that government needs to look into is an urgent requirement to take
swift action against the hoarding and price hike during the holy month of Ramadan and
Eid.
As this has remained an unfortunate practice of shopkeepers and traders to make unfair business during this time of the Islamic calendar. The formation of an active task force for checking unfair prices is desirable. The suffering of the poor rise as many of
the food and other necessary items remain unreachable.
It is the duty of the state to control such practices and continue giving chances to the poor to lift the sorry state of their affairs to a better level in order for them to enjoy the festivity of the month
