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Challenges of Policing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), formerly North-West Frontier Province, northernmost province of Pakistan, is presently abuzz with the debate as to whether the police in the province is poised to become a model law enforcement agency under Nasir Khan Durrani, the inspector general? IGP Durrani claims that the KP police is totally free of political influence and is undergoing a radical transformation that is required to battle the non-traditional security challenges such as ideologically-driven militancy, political terrorism and the increasing nexus of militants and criminal syndicates. This collusion of crime and terrorism has claimed lives of 1,015 police officials and wounded some 2,000 in attacks throughout KP since 2006[1]. The string of major attacks including the ones on the Peshawar airport on December 12’ 2012, the April 2nd Electricity Grid Station on the outskirts of the city in 2013, or the firing on the PIA passenger aircraft on June 24’ 2014 represent the security threats to the greater Peshawar region on the one hand. Abductions for ransom and extortions as well as surreptitious illegal activities by the organized crime syndicates in unison with religious militants is another ever looming threat. Official statistics provided by the KP IGP office suggest an over 18 percent decrease in casualties of general population and police personnel between July 2013 and June 2014. During the said period the KP police managed to repulse 77 terrorist attacks, arrested 260 terrorists. It was also able to work out 626 cases of terrorism in the past year and arrest 70 kidnappers of which 43 were convicted by the courts. More importantly, the KP police also resolved 78 cases of extortion and secured convictions for 109 terrorists from Anti-Terrorism Courts.[2] Does this make the police chief happier? Not really, quips Durrani. Look at the enormity of the challenges that surround the KP police, a province bordered by Afghanistan to the west and north, Azad Kashmir and the...
From tactics to strategy
Pakistani leaders told the visiting US Special Representative James Dobbins on July 21 that the army is going after all militants in North Waziristan, without any distinction, and the operation will continue the objectives are met. They also told Dobbins that Pakistan and Afghanistan are working on a code of conduct to regulate their cooperation in the fight against terrorists and redress each other’s grievances. The same day, special adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs, Tariq Fatemi, told reporters that the policy of interference in the affairs of other countries had never benefited anyone, and it is about time the countries in South Asia realized that and made “a paradigm shift” in their policies. And from the Pakistani perspective, China’s newly appointed special envoy for Afghanistan Sun Yuxi came in with a reassurance from an old ally: “I think as an agency for the government and military for Pakistan, the ISI has been effective in fighting against terrorism,” Yuxi, a former ambassador to Afghanistan and India, told the Indian daily The Hindu. A much more serious issue flowing out of these “reassurances”, however, is how they will shape Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and the United States after December 2014. Will Pakistan’s reliance on the US end after that, and will the Chinese make up for the loss of crucial US support in access to global financial resources such as IMF and the World Bank? During a confirmation testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 17, Marine General Joseph Dunford, who commands the war in Afghanistan, provided some insights on how the US and its allies view Pakistan’s role in the stability of Afghanistan. Dunford has been nominated to serve as the 36th commandant of the Marine Corps. He also delivered a quasi warning when asked by a senator whether the US leverage over Pakistan goes up after the 2014 drawdown in terms of getting cooperation. “It does. I think our footprint in Afghanistan has made...
Who is Dying in Afghanistan’s 1,000-plus Drone Strikes?
CIA-operated drones being deployed in Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, remain an extremely contentious issue and continue to stir up public resentment for loss of innocent lives in such attacks. Although the number of US drone strikes in Pakistan has dropped to six so far this year, nevertheless, the issue remains a major irritant in bilateral relations and a source of public outrage. CRSS is sharing the report link with its readers for the benefit of, and in public interest, courtesy The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TBIJ-Afghanistan-Report.pdf
Who is Dying in Afghanistan's 1,000-plus Drone Strikes?
CIA-operated drones being deployed in Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, remain an extremely contentious issue and continue to stir up public resentment for loss of innocent lives in such attacks. Although the number of US drone strikes in Pakistan has dropped to six so far this year, nevertheless, the issue remains a major irritant in bilateral relations and a source of public outrage. CRSS is sharing the report link with its readers for the benefit of, and in public interest, courtesy The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TBIJ-Afghanistan-Report.pdf
The Battle for Hearts and Minds
For the first time in Pakistan’s history, three major stakeholders – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Army find themselves caught in an unprecedented point-scoring contest over the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan. This also underscores absence of willingness to work jointly for a national cause even in crisis. The army, beside its anti-terrorist drive through Mir Ali, Miranshah and Boya sub-districts, is also busy in manning the entry points as well as relief and cash distribution centres in and around Bannu. It is also mobilizing food supplies on its own as part of an effort to win hearts and minds. But the real competition is between the federal and the provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which is doling out Rs 8,000 for every IDP family. The federal government has offered a package worth Rs 32,000 (this includes a special Ramzan package too that would be valid only until the end of the fasting month), while the Punjab government – the younger Sharif didn’t want to be left behind – has chipped in with Rs 7,000 each. An additional incentive is the 80kg of wheat per family plus other items such as edible oil, sugar and rice being distributed by the World Food Programme. Other UN-affiliated agencies are also active, though other national and international NGOs have so far not been allowed to get involved in the relief work altogether. Cash compensation has, however, turned out to be biggest incentive for residents of North Waziristan. On the face of it, all three stakeholders attribute this to their commitment to the helpless and hapless IDPs. These payments are being made through mobile phones after verification of the IDPs through the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA). NADRA uses the national identity card to electronically verify the existence of the IDP. Additional NADRA mobile registration units were also rushed to Bannu to a) provide electronic national identity...
Narco-trafficking from Afghanistan
Current Situation United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC says Afghanistan produces more drugs like ‘opium’, ‘heroin’ and ‘hashish’ than any other country in the world. Before 1991, Myanmar was considered to be the primary source of opium but now Afghanistan has taken the lead in this. Afghanistan holds a near-monopoly as it produces over 92% of the world’s opium.[i] Despite the little efforts made by Afghan government in reducing the production of drugs, the drastic upsurge in the production of opium can be attributed to the increased demand of the drug globally, as well as to the country’s favorable socio-politico-economic environment. This has allowed the unlawful trade and production of opium’ to become an essential part of Afghanistan’s informal economy.[ii] This also works to the advantage of Afghan militant groups and terrorists associated with Al-Qaeda. Taliban have seen the advantages of the drug trade as, the money they are making out of it sums up to huge amounts. They see it as means of getting money for activities such as equipping themselves with advanced weapons to fight their enemies.[iii] Boon for Non-State Actors? Afghanistan’s socio-politically fragile conditions and the Islamist militancy offers a conducive environment for the illicit drugs’ trade. The endless warfare has allowed the abuse and trade of drugs. The Afghan government in this regard, is believed to be involved in protecting its “drug market” as this is boosting the amount of money being generated in the country. The money is being used for wrong purposes though and the involvement of Afghan government in this matter is substantial. It was speculated that Ahmed Wali Karzai, brother of the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, was strongly believed to be involved in the narco-trafficking in Afghanistan and fueling his bank accounts by the drug money.[iv]. The drug money and its profits were so irrefutable that insurgent groups, including the Taliban could no longer overlook them....
Don’t miss Exclusive EXPRESS TV show about “Basic Human Rights, FCR vs. Constitution and International Laws/Obligations” on Sunday, July 20, at 1:00 pm on Express TV.
Topic: Basic Human Rights, FCR vs. Constitution and International Laws/Obligations Hosts: Mr. Imtiaz Gul and Dr. Farah Farooq Guests: Senator Farhat ullah Babar, PPP Senator Afrasiab Khattak, ANP Asif Husnain, MQM Member, FATA Committee Shahab-ud-din Khan, MNA PML- N Tribal Area Producer: Muhammad Intisar ul Haq Theme: This show provides viewers with an overview of fundamental human rights under the FCR. To debate whether clauses given under Article 247 Administration of Tribal Areas are enough or need further explanation for improved implementation for the welfare of the people of FATA? Are the FCR regulations in sync with fundamental rights available to other citizens of Pakistan? In addition, the show focuses on political, civic and human rights obligations relating to FATA with the aim of highlighting the need for ensuring “Equal Citizenry” for all citizens of Pakistan – as promised in the Chapter one of the constitution; equal rights for the people of FATA being the main focus in this regard. Please watch the program Hum Bhi and share your feedback on
CRSS Round-Table : North Waziristan Operation and Bannu
Background Pakistan Army launched an anti-terror operation in North Waziristan around June 15. This led to displacement of hundreds of thousands of local residents who found themselves caught between the military and the fleeing militants. The aerial bombardment and the consequent ground action were largely concentrated in three districts: Mir Ali, Miranshah and Boya where local and foreign terrorists networks were hiding. Keeping in view the unusually stressful situation that Bannu faces because of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) held a round-table (July 17) at Bannu with more than a dozen representatives of the IDPs, civil society, educationists and officials from the region. The objective was to assess the extent of crisis and the problems associated with internal displacement. Officials have so far registered nearly a million IDPs from North Waziristan, a figure disputed by many (population of North Waziristan, according to 1998 census, was close to half a million). In order to facilitate the IDPs, the government and the army set up four distribution and registration points. It also initiated cash compensation schemes and dispatched mobile registration units to provide electronic national identity cards to those male and female IDPs who did not possess one. Bannu Bears the Brunt Bannu is one of the twenty-four districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The district’s main city is Bannu. The inhabitants of Bannu are known as Bannuchi and speak specific dialect of Pashto language. The total area of the district is 1,227 sq km with a population of 677,346. Bannu is approximately 192 km south of Peshawar. It borders North Waziristan to the northwest, Karak to the northeast, Lakki Marwat to the southeast and South Waziristan to the southwest. This southern district is already stressed, backward, restive and poorly-equipped with health and education infrastructure. For almost one million people...
A new Afghan policy
If the Taliban come to power in Afghanistan, they will provide ‘strategic depth’ to their Pakistani comrades In June 2014, a Pakistani delegation consisting of a senior foreign office official and veteran Pashtun leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai met President Hamid Karzai. The objective was to take the Afghan leader on board for the impending military offensive in North Waziristan. The Pakistani visitors also conveyed their prime minister’s request for the arrest and handover of Mullah Fazlullah, reportedly nestled in the mountainous terrain of Kunar and Nuristan, Afghanistan’s eastern provinces bordering Pakistan. “Well, Mullah Fazlullah is a product of circumstances, and I have no control over those circumstances,” Karzai quipped with a peevish smile. In June 2013, Karzai had made more or less similar remarks when asked whether his government was ignoring the presence of Fazlullah and his militants in eastern Afghanistan. “Yes, they are there. Yes, they are there because of the war created against Afghanistan by the establishment in Pakistan. This is the consequence of the activities from across the Durand Line in Pakistan towards Afghanistan… it is not my fault,” Karzai told Geo TV. His message was straight – you stop your territory from being used against us and we will do so when we are convinced that Pakistan has started translating words into deeds. What followed within two weeks of the Kabul meeting sounds encouraging, as of now at least. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated on July 1: “(The decision to launch) Zarb-e-Azb was taken after careful deliberations. A full-fledged offensive has now started. All foreign fighters and local terrorists will be wiped out without any exception and no sanctuary will be spared.” Coincidentally, the same day, Pakistan Army’s spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa spoke in the same vein, and insisted the operation will target militants of “all hues and colour”, including the Haqqanis. That is why the army recently took...
Don’t miss Exclusive EXPRESS TV show about “Obstacles and Opponents to FATA Mainstreaming and Reforms” on Saturday, July 19, at 1:00 pm on Express TV.
Topic: Obstacles and Opponents to FATA Mainstreaming and Reforms Hosts: Mr. Imtiaz Gul and Ms. Farah Farooq Guests: Former KPK Governor, Barrister Syed Masood Kausar Professor Ijaz Khatak, International Relations, University of Peshawar Khalid Aziz, Ex Chief Secretary KPK and Former Political Agent Hamid ullah Jan, Ex Federal Minister Producer: Muhammad Intisar ul Haq Theme: This show focuses on whether piecemeal reforms in an oppressive system can bring socio-political change in FATA or not. It also addresses the question; why not mainstream FATA instead of doing what the forces of status quo are trying to preserve? And what is the role of the political parties in FATA where the system is founded on the draconian powers of the political agent and 35,000 Maliks who wish to maintain the status quo? Please watch the program Hum Bhi and share your feedback on
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.