The City of Death

The bodies are piling up in Karachi because those struggling for power in the city are following a strategy of body counts. The dead are just names and statistics and in some cases they are nameless because that is how the media is reporting their senseless death. There is no mention of who they are, what they did for a living, whether they had a family and why they were shot dead on the street or snatched tortured killed and thrown like garbage in sacks. More than a hundred have died in five days with over 20 dead in the last two days—Sunday and Monday. Hundreds have died earlier. Today, Tuesday is a day of mourning In Karachi and Hyderabad because a political party has decreed that it be so but Karachiites do not know who they are mourning—just the dead in what has become the city of death.

The wise owls who regale us on the media with their wisdom and insight are explaining that this is a power struggle for control of the city or parts of it between three political parties—each representing a particular ethnic group. Each party has criminal gangs affiliated with it to do the killing on the streets. These criminal gangs hope to run drug, weapons, and gambling, extortion and prostitution rackets once their party gains control. They all have hit men—guns for hire—attracted to the city from all parts of the country and even from across the borders. Unlike gang and mafia wars in other countries the people being killed are not those vying for power or those involved in criminal activities—they are all safe. The ones being killed are ordinary citizens going about their lives or in some cases journalists or other professionals who have by some act angered those calling the shots. The struggle in Karachi is a sordid, disgusting and terribly macabre activity that defies logic and the norms of human behavior.

Karachi as seen on TV screens across the world for the last several months presents the spectacle of a city out of control in a country fast slipping into anarchy as its economy declines and the social fabric is ripped apart. Those with sectarian, ethnic, destabilization and other destructive agendas for Pakistan would be fools to pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the mayhem that is Karachi. No one believes anything that they are being told and everyone knows that you do not launch operations or surgical strikes by announcing beforehand that you are about to do so. The writing on the wall is that no one has an answer for what is going on in Karachi—not that anyone has an answer for what is going on in the rest of the country.

Instead of moaning, whining and crying on the media the need is for the people to be educated on the need for population control measures, on asking shopkeepers to pay taxes on sales and for people to protect themselves and articulate what they want from their government. A statement from the military saying that they were concerned over the situation in Karachi even though tempered by a stated confidence in the government sent hope surging and then another statement offering to bring Karachi under control told the people that at least someone thought they could control the situation before it reached a point of no return. The military is an institution of the government and part of the state resources for enforcement of its writ. The need is for a civil-military combine to tackle the problem but for that political sacrifices have to be made. Is anyone ready to do that?

By Ghalib Sultan
Tacstrat Analysis

P.I.A. Joint Counter Terrorism

Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have agreed to jointly combat terrorism and foreign influence. According to the Iranian news agency, after the two-day counter-terrorism conference, a joint statement was issued which stated that the presidents of the three countries stressed on their commitment to eliminate terrorism, extremism, militancy and rejecting foreign influence in the region.

“All sides stressed their commitment to efforts aimed at eliminating extremism, militancy, terrorism, as well as rejecting foreign interference, which is in blatant opposition to the spirit of Islam, the peaceful cultural traditions of the region and its peoples’ interests,” the statement said.

“All sides agreed to continue meeting at foreign, interior, security and economy ministers’ level to prepare a roadmap for the next summit due to be held in Islamabad before the end of 2011,” added the statement carried by Iran’s official IRNA news agency.

Iran and Pakistan also “supported the ongoing national reconciliation in Afghanistan.”

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Iranian and Pakistani counterparts Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Asif Ali Zardari held three-way talks on Friday ahead of a six-nation counter-terrorism conference on Saturday.

The three leaders discussed “ways of battling terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking,” IRNA said on Friday.

A statement posted on the Iranian presidency website said on Friday that the trio “expressed concern over a rising lack of security, extremism and terrorism, and insisted on the need for cooperation to combat these phenomena.”

When Bal Thackery speaks

by GHALIB SULTAN
First published on: Mon Dec 14, 2009

Just when a frail streak of democratic etiquette made it to the placid surface of Hindu dominated and grossly convoluted version of democracy, Bala Thackery had to smear it with vile molasses from the tip of his tongue, reeking of spectacular proportions of hate and intolerance for the Muslim community. The Shiv Sena chief whose popularity is assuming new horizons everyday inviting Hindoo extremists under his flock, has a lot of Ammo piled up and aiming at the Muslims.

Upon Rahul Gandhi’s remarks while visiting Aligarh Muslim University, last week, where he said that it is not about what religion or community you come from, it is what you bring to the table, what capability you have that will make you India’s first Muslim Prime Minister, Bal Thackery found opportunity to combat the lone ray of optimism with his epidemic disgust and lack of regard from Muslims by saying that muslims will only ‘qualify’ for top job if they as a community support Ram Temple in Ayodha, thereby put Hindoo religion before their own as a way of expression of their patriotism.

Amidst communal discord of sorts, some 15 freedom movements going on; Backward casts crying out for greater national acceptability and fundamental human rights and to top it – politicians and cricketers locked in an endless verbal jousting over the ownership of the city they seemingly own, it was like a breath of fresh air to hear remarks of the Congress leader who went on to say that Dr. Singh is not a Prime Minister of India because he is Sikh but because he is the most capable person to do the job.

Yet Thackery had to fight it off in order to pander his perverse sense of Hindu exclusivity and to satisfy the growing tide of Hindoo extremism that’s resulting in home grown violence and terrorism every passing day.

INDIAN FEARS

First published on: Wed Dec 2, 2009

Indian writers, analysts and researchers as well as their media take a lot of interest in Pakistan—in fact it is an obsession of sorts. Rather strange for a country that is showcasing itself as a major power. Only those who have seen the ‘other side’ know the reality of grinding poverty, oppression and religious radicalism in India. Milestone events serve as reminders—crazed religious Hindoo extremists destroying a 16th Century mosque, thousands of Sikhs killed by Hindoos across India, thousands of Moslems killed, Christians burnt alive, nuns raped, Dalits kille and raped, military men involved in organized terror by radical Hindoo organizations, an almost permanent insurgency situation in the entire north east of India linking up with BanglaDesh on one side and Nepal on the other to create a ‘red corridor’ while the violence from the freedom struggle in Kashmir spills over into India’s heartland. The Maoists now look to the Bengal coast and the Sunderbans for logistics and LTTE cadres (originally created by India to support cross border Tamil terrorism in Sri Lanka) are joining the Maoists. Lalgarh in West Bengal is fast developing into an epicenter of terrorism with locals supporting the Maoists. Other centers coming up are in Chattisgarh and Jharkand as the Peoples Committee Against Indian Police Atrocities morphs into the more robust Sidhu Kana Gana. India’s propensity to use sledgehammer force does not work—the Maoists melt away into a supportive population and a corruption riddled political and police mafia with conflicted motivation. The Marxist (Maoist?) government in West Bengal is the real problem.

Two Indian researchers have written on the situation in Pakistan’s western border areas probably drawing on India’s ongoing experience in the rebellious and violent North East. P K Upadhav of IDSA writes about the ‘looming leap of Islamic Radicalism from FATA to Punjab’. Underlying his analysis is the very real fear of radicalism leaping into India. Islam is within India—a part of India and the Muslims there have grievances and nascent organizations that can form linkages. His other assertions have to be taken with a pinch of salt and in the context of Indian hatred. He talks of Pakistan military being bogged down in FATA, of a ‘sledgehammer’ approach by the military, of continuing sporadic incidents of violence, of the impossible situation in South Waziristan and of South Punjab being in a time warp. Suskant Sareen in an article also datelined November 30, 09 makes similar points but with a greater comprehension of Pakistan’s problem and apparently without the agenda of simply maligning Pakistan. These gentlemen are, of course, entitled to their opinions but the reality is far from what they portray—perhaps it is that which worries them. That, and India’s own situation behind the store front display.

The Pakistan military moved into determined operations after 15 failed peace agreements and as a last resort. It never used sledgehammer tactics and the results show that it operated in a most professional manner. It has had total success. Areas ceded under the peace agreements have been retaken and the threat to the state sidelined. The world has acknowledged this. The military has already said that it it will stay as long as it takes and since it is operating under a political directive it will do what the government wants it to do. Sporadic violence and reprisals that are terrifying our Indian friends will continue till the environment in the region changes. Another remarkable achievement has been the rapid and safe relocation of displaced persons into their homes. Finally South Punjab is not in a time warp—it is the most progressive area in terms of agriculture and agro-based and dairy industries. Extremism is there—much like the Hindoo phenomenon in India—but it is being tackled as a law and order issue and already there are religious organizations that are eschewing violence and condemning extremism. Instead of gloating over each others misfortunes India and Pakistan need to talk, trade and cooperate—a Pakistani (Irfan Hussain DAWN December 2) who suggested this has received tons of hate mail and all of it from Indians.

GHALIB SULTAN

Nawaz Sharif’s Ramblings: Political Leverage or Puppetry?

by GHALIB SULTAN
First Published on: Jun 22, 2009

As feared, the strong support for Operation Rah-e-Rast (against Fake-Talibans and extremist miscreants who had been unabashedly maligning the image of Islam and that of Pakistan) is threatening to crumble courtesy Mian Nawaz Sharif’s recently articulated ‘worries’ over the offensive in South Waziristan.

By far, the strongest and the most influential political leader, Sharif’s ‘ramblings’ are bound to pass on its ripple-effect over public opinion and can be termed ‘grossly irresponsible’ for many reasons. For one, zig-zagging one’s stance (favoring operation in Swat and somersaulting in Waziristan) while the country is in state of war, carries lethal outcomes and such adventurism is ill-suited for a seasoned politician of his stature to say the least.

Right from the beginning, the Operation has enjoyed unequivocal public opinion (inclusive of all political parties) at expunging all elements of terrorism and extremism from the Pakistani soil until the entire country is secured. Despite this, sudden ‘wondering’ on part of a political heavy weight, at this stage, can spell catastrophe by shattering public conviction and proving to be a silent solvent to its faith in the government, and Pak Army, and most of all, in the purpose of this difficult war (costs of which are colossal and require unflinching public support). Moreover, leaving the public opinion ajar this would breed differences, despair and uncertainty – total havoc in the middle of an unfinished operation, bleeding profusely; rupturing thus, the fabric of public opinion sewn to the consent of the government, it may also make a profound contribution in bringing the government down over the pile of mounting grievances.

Yet, right after Owais Ghani’s announcement over the expansion of offensive against militants to South Waziristan tribal region, Sharif addressed his party members insisting on renewed political consultation before opening new fronts against the Taliban linked terrorists. During the address he insisted on reopening political consultation over Operation Rah-e-Rast for which the entire country had already expressed complete confidence before the war had began. During the address he is reported to have said:

“Government should take all sections of society including political forces, religious scholars and media on board prior to opening new fronts”.

Mr. Sharif went on with his rather outwardly (read foreign) assessment based on the assumption of instinctive goodness of all mankind – idealism that totally escapes Pakistan’s knowledge and indigenous understanding of the enemy psyche, firsthand experience in Waziristan and its own assessment as a direct and active combatant in the War on Terror.

Moreover, he appeared to be further assuming that ‘fake talibans’ have legitimate grievances against the government. By doing so he also clubbed together Provincial grievances with the illicit designs (and demands) claimed by subscribers of Talibani extremism, Anti-State elements, mercenaries and those faking up the Talibani cause.

Exposing soft corners to the enemy in an ongoing war, in response to the government’s decision to launch operation against Baitullah Mehsud, put his motives under a critical questionnaire which he needs to answer/explain on priority. To some, the Media hum over Mehsud being a US agent appears to bear some ground considering Obama’s recent visit to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and suspected pressure on Nawaz Sharif through KSA to oppose the operation against Baitullah Mehsud.

These series of ‘suspicious’ events dismally indicate two things. Either Nawaz Sharif is seeking political leverage by choosing to withdraw support when it would be most damaging to the government. Or he is, yet again, acquiescing to western prescription despite everlong puppetry – auctioning Pakistani honor, a deplorable political tradition that is beginning to irritate the youth of Pakistan (a more than fifty per cent of population). Nevertheless, to voice such statements at this time and in such an ostensible manner has a downside for Sharif himself for a simple reason: the country is not as ignorant as it has been in the past.