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Pakistan’s Withering Sovereignty

Finally, some official version of the Abbottabad operation¶by the U.S. Navy SEALs flying from Afghanistan that killed Osama Bin Laden¶has emerged from Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The May 3 press release, though a much-awaited effort in the right direction on the part of the government, highlights some serious contradictions in our engagement with the U.S. as well as flaws of our intelligence and security apparatus. The MFA press release categorically denies any prior notice to Pakistani civilian or military leadership on the raid. President Zardari had earlier admitted that it was not a joint operation, while the U.S. officials acknowledge it as well. In its statement, the MFA argues that the U.S. helicopters took advantage of the mountainous terrain, sophisticated technology, and advanced ¿nap the earth– flying techniques to avoid detection by Pakistan radar system. Even though it hastens to add that an analogy of this civilian area should not be made with security installations, it would hardly convince anyone because this civilian area is within the military cantonment and only a couple of miles away from Pakistan only training school for army officers. The penetration of a foreign army so deep into Pakistani territory undetected (for whatever purpose) casts serious doubts over the capabilities of its security apparatus to defend its citizens, or even key defense installations. This could provide a license for similar attacks against other perceived high-value targets by the U.S. or even India. The Indian Ministry for External Affairs has already issued a statement saying, 'The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood. The struggle must continue unabated.' It was followed by another statement by the Indian Air Chief, P.V. Naik, who has claimed that India has the capability to conduct similar attacks against terrorist...

Pakistan's Withering Sovereignty

Finally, some official version of the Abbottabad operation¶by the U.S. Navy SEALs flying from Afghanistan that killed Osama Bin Laden¶has emerged from Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The May 3 press release, though a much-awaited effort in the right direction on the part of the government, highlights some serious contradictions in our engagement with the U.S. as well as flaws of our intelligence and security apparatus. The MFA press release categorically denies any prior notice to Pakistani civilian or military leadership on the raid. President Zardari had earlier admitted that it was not a joint operation, while the U.S. officials acknowledge it as well. In its statement, the MFA argues that the U.S. helicopters took advantage of the mountainous terrain, sophisticated technology, and advanced ¿nap the earth– flying techniques to avoid detection by Pakistan radar system. Even though it hastens to add that an analogy of this civilian area should not be made with security installations, it would hardly convince anyone because this civilian area is within the military cantonment and only a couple of miles away from Pakistan only training school for army officers. The penetration of a foreign army so deep into Pakistani territory undetected (for whatever purpose) casts serious doubts over the capabilities of its security apparatus to defend its citizens, or even key defense installations. This could provide a license for similar attacks against other perceived high-value targets by the U.S. or even India. The Indian Ministry for External Affairs has already issued a statement saying, 'The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood. The struggle must continue unabated.' It was followed by another statement by the Indian Air Chief, P.V. Naik, who has claimed that India has the capability to conduct similar attacks against terrorist...

Pakistan's Withering Sovereignty

Finally, some official version of the Abbottabad operation¶by the U.S. Navy SEALs flying from Afghanistan that killed Osama Bin Laden¶has emerged from Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The May 3 press release, though a much-awaited effort in the right direction on the part of the government, highlights some serious contradictions in our engagement with the U.S. as well as flaws of our intelligence and security apparatus. The MFA press release categorically denies any prior notice to Pakistani civilian or military leadership on the raid. President Zardari had earlier admitted that it was not a joint operation, while the U.S. officials acknowledge it as well. In its statement, the MFA argues that the U.S. helicopters took advantage of the mountainous terrain, sophisticated technology, and advanced ¿nap the earth– flying techniques to avoid detection by Pakistan radar system. Even though it hastens to add that an analogy of this civilian area should not be made with security installations, it would hardly convince anyone because this civilian area is within the military cantonment and only a couple of miles away from Pakistan only training school for army officers. The penetration of a foreign army so deep into Pakistani territory undetected (for whatever purpose) casts serious doubts over the capabilities of its security apparatus to defend its citizens, or even key defense installations. This could provide a license for similar attacks against other perceived high-value targets by the U.S. or even India. The Indian Ministry for External Affairs has already issued a statement saying, 'The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighborhood. The struggle must continue unabated.' It was followed by another statement by the Indian Air Chief, P.V. Naik, who has claimed that India has the capability to conduct similar attacks against terrorist...

Changing Shape of Pak-Turk Ties

Amidst the fast occurring developments in the context of hammering out a political and diplomatic solution for the Afghan conflict these days, Pakistan and Turkey have emerged as main actors. A regional connectivity seems to be underway with Turkey in the leading role to facilitate a dialogue between the Taliban and the United States and help Pakistan and Afghanistan build a relationship of trust. The United States has perhaps given heed to independent security experts– calls that the Afghan issue be left on the Afghans to resolve it in consultation with the most concerned regional powers with little interference by the foreign forces. Besides giving a boost to the bilateral cooperation, President Asif Zardari, during his April 11-14 visit to Turkey, had the agenda of discussing Afghan issue with the Turkish leadership. The subsequent trip of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and ISI [Inter Services Intelligence] Chief Lt. General Ahmed Shuja Pasha to Afghanistan on April 16 suggests that regional powers have been given a role to help bring the ongoing war in Afghanistan to an end in pursuance of the US plan to start withdrawal of its troops from July this year and hand over security of the country to the local forces by 2014. Turkish President Abdullah Gul and President Zardari pledged to support any initiatives to stabilize the conflict-torn Afghanistan, including efforts for dialogue with the Taliban. '2011 is a very critical year for Afghanistan, as the foreign troops will begin to withdraw. We are using all our capabilities to secure Afghanistan unity and integrity', Gul told reporters at the joint press conference after the two leaders– talks in Ankara. To a question about Pakistan role in the current peace initiatives for Afghanistan, 'President Zardari said, 'Pakistan believes in a peaceful transition and dialogue in Afghanistan. We will be facilitators to any format that leads to peaceÎ“Ã‡ÂªWhatever needs to be...

Tense Military Commanders Meet

The two hour meeting between the Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Admiral Mike Mullen on Wednesday, was extremely tense. Both military commanders had their demands and agendas and neither got any from the other - at least for the time being. Mullen wanted a commitment for immediate action against the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan. Gen. Kayani wanted a US commitment for immediate halt to the expanding security role of India in Afghanistan. None gave the commitment, so the meeting ended on a bitter note. Mullen then met with Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Khalid Shameem Wynne. The few lines press release from the US embassy also underscore that Kayani refused to give out any statement. The press release does not contain a single word about the content of the meeting, meaning thereby that it was bitter and inconclusive. Tensions between the US and Pakistan seem to be rising in coming days because of the blind and blatant US demands for action against all groups that the Americans believe are killing American soldiers in Afghanistan. More drama to unfold in the short run, it appears!

Swat Neglected after Earthquake, War and Floods

The construction of road for the small village of Jarray near Madyan is a telling comment on the perfect illustration of slow political and bureaucraticresponse to the devastation that the floods caused last year; comprising about 120, if not more, households with very small farming plots, the entire theraging Kunhar river swept it altogether in early August, including the road that connects Madyan and Mingora with Bahrain and Kalaam. The flood waters receded within a month or so but the construction work ´ cutting of the hill ´ began a month ago. That too with just two excavators atwork. 'Are there only two machines available in Pakistan,' quipped the taxi driver Shah Zaman, complaining of the criminal delay in reconstruction work as wellas the official and political apathy towards the Swat-Kohistan region comprising five five Union Councils ´ Bahrain, Mankial, Balakot, Kalam, Utror. Zaman uttered these cursing words as we drove through the upper and largely drier part of the Kunhar River. The mainstream nearby was, on April 18th,already gushing following heavy rains the night before. Coupled with the snow-melt, the mainstream would inundate the smaller, still dry part of the river-bed and thus probably block the only passage between Madyan and Bahrain. On the face of it, nothing but the official apathy and tedious procedures are responsible for this snail-paced reconstruction, something, say locals, thatshould have happened last year immediately after floods. The road from Bahrain to Kalaam ´ hardly 35 kilometres - offers a similar is story. Ironically, the total stretch that needs immediate reconstruction and repair between Madyan and Bahrain is not more than three kilometers; what commentdoes the authorities deserve when they cannot restore key links not more than three kilometres collectively even after over eight months. The urgent need for reconstruction of the vital link between Madyan and Kalam also emerged as the primary issue at a meeting of over 100...

CRSS-IBT Form the Grand Jirga of Swat-Kohistan

On April 17th, 2011, a grand Jirga (Council of Elders) comprising representative from five Union Councils of Swat-Kohistan(Bahrain, Kalam and Madyan¶of six union councils) was organized by Idara Baraye Taleem-o-Taraqi (IBT), Bahrain, Swat, in collaboration with Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad in Bahrain Swat. The Jirga was attended by more than 150 people from the worst flood cum militancy affected union councils namely Bahrain, Kalam, Utror, Mankiyal, Balakot, Bishigram and Madyan. The Jirga assessed the rehabilitation efforts by the government and humanitarian organizations and termed them unsatisfactory and insufficient. The speakers at the Jirga were frustrated at the slow intervention by the government. They unanimously quoted the hitherto infrastructure particularly the damaged road to the tourists– destinations as Bahrain, Kalam, Utror, Ushu and Madyan as an example of the incompetence of the government. The government could not restore the road (N-95) from Chirkri (Fatepur) to Kalam for all kind of traffic in spite the lapse of more than eight months since the floods in the area in July 2010. Speakers at the Jirga expressed grave concerns over the negligence of the rehabilitation of the tourist area; and on the lack of a tangible roadmap by the government for the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure.Speaking to the Jirga ex-provincial minister Malik Mohammad Didar told that the representatives did not mobilize the government on the issues prevailing in Swat Kohistan. He further told that the MPA and MNA should have raised the problems and hardships faced by the people at every forum but unfortunately they haven–t. As a testimony to this alleged sloth by the elected representatives, Habibullah, ex- Nazim union council Kalam, shared his experience of their meeting with the federal minister for communication. He told that they found the minister utterly unaware of the closure of the road for over eight months. While...

Journalism Held Hostage

(Courtesy: Prof. Syed Irfan Ashraf, Faculty, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) IN February, about 50 journalists who report from the tribal conflict zones of Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Kabul. They discussed issues related to war reporting and the need for a cross-border network to help media professionals overcome the growing challenges they are facing. The speakers complained that combatant forces had weakened journalistic freedom and were using reporters as pawns in the theatre of war. Some reporters admitted to facing an ethical dilemma. Objective coverage, they said, brings threats but partisan journalism wins them the confidence of the warring parties. Growing anarchy has made access to information dependent on the will of the military and the militants. Both have shown little tolerance in allowing reporters to work independently. In threatening circumstances, journalists feel little hesitation in toeing the line, which has made journalism subservient to military strategies. More importantly, it has provided journalists with an excuse to justify anything in the name of insecurity, making professional dishonesty the norm in war reporting. Ethically, any defensive measure is justified if it helps reporters keep safe. In the local context, however, this provisional compromise is of little help in ensuring their security. Meanwhile, it has killed in them the spirit of initiative. There is a growing realisation that journalism in a hostile situation is mainly about serving the combatants. This has caused complacency in war reporters. They take pride in their relationship with militants, who often invite them to cover terror at the source. In the southern parts of Afghanistan, the situation is worse. Reporters-cum-cameramen are taken on embedded missions to shoot events like film directors. For their part, they do not hesitate to guide militants about how to act on camera. Such unethical exercises end in laundering half-truths in the name of...

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law and its Consequences

The controversial Blasphemy Law, enacted in its current form during the military dictatorship of General Ziaul Haq in the 1980s, has made big headlines in and outside Pakistan. Oflate, the world came to know about it only when former governor of the Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was gunned down by his guard Mumtaz Qaderi on January 4th, 2011. Qaderi said Taseer, aman of liberal and moderate religious thoughts, had committed blasphemy by visiting a Christian lady Aasia Bibi, convicted to death for blaspheming the Holy Prophet Mohammad. Almost two monthslater, Shahbaz Bhatti, the minister for Minorities Affairs, was assassinated on March 2nd in front of his mother's house. His crime; he had been advocating changes to the law of blasphemy to prevent itsabuse by unscrupulous people, particularly in the rural areas. Statistics suggest that people, in order to settle personal scores, to take revenge, or to implicate rivals in crippling litigation, tend to lodgecomplaints againt rivals under the Blasphemy Law. Even otherwise, a number of innocent people have lost their lives under the ruse of having committed blasphemy. A human rights activist, and a CRSS associate, Mohammad Nafees, based in Karachi, has painstakingly compiled statistics on injustices and murders that have been committed under the excuse ofBlasphemy Law. These statistics are quite revealing and instructive and the CRSS is posting them for a wider audience to get a glimpse of the consequences that the Blasphemy Act has entailed. more...

Pakistan's Blasphemy Law and its Consequences

The controversial Blasphemy Law, enacted in its current form during the military dictatorship of General Ziaul Haq in the 1980s, has made big headlines in and outside Pakistan. Oflate, the world came to know about it only when former governor of the Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was gunned down by his guard Mumtaz Qaderi on January 4th, 2011. Qaderi said Taseer, aman of liberal and moderate religious thoughts, had committed blasphemy by visiting a Christian lady Aasia Bibi, convicted to death for blaspheming the Holy Prophet Mohammad. Almost two monthslater, Shahbaz Bhatti, the minister for Minorities Affairs, was assassinated on March 2nd in front of his mother's house. His crime; he had been advocating changes to the law of blasphemy to prevent itsabuse by unscrupulous people, particularly in the rural areas. Statistics suggest that people, in order to settle personal scores, to take revenge, or to implicate rivals in crippling litigation, tend to lodgecomplaints againt rivals under the Blasphemy Law. Even otherwise, a number of innocent people have lost their lives under the ruse of having committed blasphemy. A human rights activist, and a CRSS associate, Mohammad Nafees, based in Karachi, has painstakingly compiled statistics on injustices and murders that have been committed under the excuse ofBlasphemy Law. These statistics are quite revealing and instructive and the CRSS is posting them for a wider audience to get a glimpse of the consequences that the Blasphemy Act has entailed. more...