Dear Readers,
Having just celebrated the 68th anniversary of its independence in grand style, some soul searching is still in order to evaluate where Pakistan stands today. Successive governments failed to establish or implant the concept of ‘unity in diversity’ among Pakistanis by failing to develop pragmatic policies whether educational, related to economic development, preservation and enhancement of culture, etc. Because of the ineptitude of policy makers, many of our problems are of our own making and today this nation is riddled with many evils – hatred, sectarian and religious violence that eats away at its innards. Surely this is not the Pakistan Jinnah envisioned in his speech of 11 August, 1947? While religious extremism, terrorism, militancy and rising crime levels pose serious threats to Pakistan, the scenario has improved over the last year with terrorist out fits being targeted. Despite the crackdown some loopholes still need to be plugged, for some inexplicable reason, extremist and certain sectarian groups that operate in the Punjab appear to have escaped government attention. “Operation Zarb-e-Azb” against militants has broken the bocks of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and forced its militants to scat ter. While this particular war is not over yet, the militants are on the run and incidents of terror have decreased considerably.
The celebrations this Independence Day across the country were extremely encouraging; in the Mir Ali Scouts Camp in North Waziristan, returning tribal elders and Pakistan Army soldiers presented traditional dances – a sight not seen for a long time. In the violence prone metropolis of Karachi, unusual enthusiasm was seen among the people because the much improved law and order situation has buoyed the confidence of the public. Slowly but steadily the nation is heading in the right direction. For the benefit of readers I am reproducing my article titled “DELIVERING INDEPENDENCE “.
Given our troubled history of martial laws, many are averse to governance where the stakeholders have no say. The recurring problem is that the stakeholders still have no say in governance in Pakistan’s version of ‘democracy’. Our politicians mostly have glaring deficiencies in their character, force-multiplied by blatant avarice and greed. With confidence in the armed forces, personified by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, climbing rapidly back onto the pedestal of positive public opinion, the politicians running our farcical democracy, which allows criminals to function under the cover of the Constitution, are becoming apprehensive.
Desperate people generally resort to desperate means, bent on using all means possible to stop the tide of public opinion going against the status quo. Senator Mushahidullah Khan was trotted out to repeat the ridiculous accusations first aired by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Disseminating such stuff did not find traction or alienate the masses from the uniform. Whether they were part of a greater conspiracy or acting on their own is a moot point; they belong to the PML (N) hierarchy’s inner circle. Mushahidullah the expendable was made the sacrificial lamb. Will Mian Sahib persist with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to have another go at the Pakistan Army?
After the ridiculous attempt at ‘peace talks’ with the terrorists became a non-starter, the khakis categorically informed the govt about their determination to go ahead, with or without the government’s permission, with their long delayed operation in North Waziristan to deny the militants the space they had acquired by default. With the success of Operation Zarb-i-Azb, the government tried to convince everyone that it was on their initiative that the Army got the required democratic dispensation. The Army was reluctantly given constitutional cover, that too on General Raheel Sharif’s insistence, to operate across the country, particularly in Karachi, only after the horrific terrorist atrocity on the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar. Unfortunately the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) is still mostly given lip service. While the capacity of the terrorists for mayhem has diminished considerably, the tragic assassination of Punjab’s Home Minister Colonel Shuja Khanzada shows that they retain their deep penetration in our urban areas. some sympathizers with a vested interest in getting rid of this brave man are within the Punjab Cabinet. Who will rid us of those holding the Sharifs to blackmail?
The recent Supreme Court confirmation (albeit without acknowledging ‘the doctrine of necessity’) allowing military courts to function will keep the Army’s momentum going. During the first phase of the Rangers’ operations in Karachi, most target killers, murderers, extortionists, etc., detained are from the majority Mohajir community. The perception assiduously perpetuated by the MQM is that the operation is directed against them. This is not correct; those detained are criminals. The MQM should carry out self-accountability. Why are these criminals claiming to be from their party?
The Rangers’ next phase will certainly target criminals of all kinds aiding and abetting terrorism. Attempting to pre-empt impending action against them the PPP displayed anger at the Rangers and FIA targeting the source of terrorist funding by going after the corrupt bureaucrats and other PPP appointees in Sindh. Uzair Baloch was extradited from the UAE despite Asif Zardari’s best efforts. His fellow politicians in power quietly signalled him to leave the country or face imminent arrest. Discretion being the better part of valour, he sought sanctuary abroad. From the safe haven of Dubai (and now London), he prods his puppet CM-in-place, Qaim Ali Shah, to rail against the Rangers and the National Accountability Bureau. To save his own neck, Zulfikar Mirza has hurled all sorts of accusations against Zardari, alleging bribery, kidnapping, murder, extortion, etc. As PPP’s Provincial Home Minister he was Zardari’s closest chum and confidante, the driving force behind Uzair Baloch and the People’s Amn Committee (PAC). Under no circumstances should Mirza be allowed to become an approver. Arrogant beyond belief while in power, he must be held accountable as an accessory for the many crimes he instigated, aided and abetted on behalf of Zardari.
What a change Operation Zarb-i-Azb has brought to the lives of Pakistanis! It was an emotional treat to see the entire country come fully alive after many years with real extraordinary fervour and enthusiasm on Independence Day 2015, nowhere more than in the city of Karachi. Even though we have, in the words of Robert Frost, “miles to go,” the visible signs of confidence returning to the mass psyche were reflected across the broad spectrum of our society. The war against terrorism in Pakistan is far from won, but the sacrifices of our soldiers, in the mountains of Swat and FATA, and in the streets of Karachi, has restored the faith of the citizens in the future of this country. One cannot but eulogise what Major General (now Lt General) Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry started as DG Rangers in 2010 and continued as Commander Fifth Corps with Major General (now Lt General) Rizwan Akhtar his successor in 2012 as the Rangers chief. Major General Bilal Akbar has carried on in magnificent fashion in his own soldierly fashion. Commander Fifth Corps Lt General Naveed Mukhtar deserves credit for standing like a rock behind him and giving him the direction and flank protection that every subordinate requires from his superiors to carry out his given mission without fear or favour. Bilal Akbar and his men deserve special plaudits. They have performed in tremendous fashion, making us proud of the uniform they wear with honour. Musharraf, who never saw combat in his entire military career, should note the combat experience common to all these outstanding soldiers. All those who see combat don’t brag about it for the ladies!
While tyrants and criminals can be lethal either individually or in combination, they will always fall. That is the lesson of history repeated over and over again. Evil prevails for some time because of brutality and corrupt practices, but the laws of nature ensure that the practitioners will eventually face accountability. Many face justice in the same rough manner they doled out to others. Clutching at straws at any glimmer of hope, the mass populace tends to get frustrated at the never-ending long dark night. Despair feeding on itself, despondency deepens. Nations at such crossroads are badly in need of white knights to stop the rot from sliding into an abyss.
The Rangers (and the Pakistan Army) are the white knights who have truly delivered ‘independence’ to Karachi.
