13.11.2013 Clear plan needed: Talking to the TTP
WHILE the federal interior minister’s comments in the National Assembly on Monday confirmed that peace talks with the TTP have been put on ice, the reason he cited — American drone strikes — for “sabotaging” the process is difficult to buy. After all, as Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan himself pointed out in his speech, while the government is pushing for dialogue, the militants aren’t exactly bending over backwards to make peace with the state. The fact is that the TTP is simply not interested in talking to the government. If there was any chance of the militants softening their rigid stance before Hakeemullah Mehsud’s death in a drone strike earlier this month, the appointment of Fazlullah as the TTP’s new supremo has caused all such hopes to evaporate: the militants have, once again, declared war on the Pakistan government and military.
The state should know better than to pin the blame for the breakdown of talks on the American drone strikes. There is no doubt that these strikes violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and should not occur unless Islamabad is on board. But, at the same time, there is near universal consensus in the country that Mehsud’s elimination was a positive development. After all, this was a man who led a band of ruthless militants who continue to terrorise the entire nation; civilians, men in uniform and government officials were targeted with equal ferocity on his watch.
True, talks with the militants have slim chances of succeeding given the Taliban’s stance; but, in keeping with the endorsement of the major political parties, the state should still make efforts to engage the TTP. However, it must be the one to lay down the terms of engagement and draw the red lines. All stakeholders must be clear about what the contours of any peace agreement will be and what is not open for debate, ie democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution. In this regard, the prime minister discussed the security situation during his visit to GHQ on Tuesday — his first after taking office. The state must realise that if the militants do not accept its terms for dialogue, preparations should begin for a security operation. There are just two alternatives at this juncture: either the government should proceed with taking the talks forward from a position of strength, or move in to neutralise the militant threat. There can be no sitting on the fence.
Ashura fears: Extra security
WITH Ashura just days away, on Monday army troops started taking positions around Karachi to provide beefed-up security at a time when the threat level in the city is high. Officials have stressed that a security plan has been chalked out by the police and Rangers, and that army troops have been called in at the request of the provincial government — though only as a back-up force. Nevertheless, the very knowledge of their presence will be of comfort to residents in a city that fears violence in the coming days. As it is, the start of the period of mourning was stained with blood: early last week, five people of the Shia community were killed in sectarian attacks; soon afterwards, six activists of the ASWJ were killed in what appeared to be reprisal attacks. That extra effort is being made to ward off violence in Karachi is laudable, and no aspect of security should be left unaddressed.
It is crucial, however, that the provincial and central governments recognise that the risk of sectarian violence is far from restricted to Karachi. Three worshippers in two different imambargahs were killed in Gujranwala last Saturday. There are many other known flashpoints that are at risk of witnessing sect-related violence over the next few days, including Khairpur, Quetta, Jhang, Bhakkar, Hangu and Parachinar; there are risk zones in all the provinces that need enhanced protection. While security has been increased in many places, too often it turns out that sectarian and other militants are a step ahead of government authorities. The intelligence-gathering network must therefore cast its net as wide as possible, and remain alert. Further, while the political face of sectarianism is well-recognised, what is missing is a concerted crackdown on militants. Thanks to the restraint shown by various communities even when their members have been targeted, communal flare-ups have been rare. Yet the possibility of sectarian violence cannot be discounted in the face of extremist groups determined to sow the seeds of discord.
Restored to glory: State funds for monuments
KARACHI’S Christ the King monument, located on the grounds of the imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, has received a Sindh government grant of Rs10m for its beautification. The superbly crafted monument, which had suffered from the vagaries of time as well as pollution emanating from the unchecked urban sprawl outside the cathedral gates, received official attention after the local Christian community initiated efforts for its rehabilitation. Another positive move in this regard is the Punjab archaeology department’s decision to release Rs22m for conservation of a Sikh samadhi and a Hindu temple in Lahore. It is welcome that in a society that generally does not treasure its heritage and at a time when non-Muslims in this country face threats from zealots, the Sindh and Punjab governments have taken such steps. These moves need to be replicated across Pakistan, especially where the cultural and religious heritage of the country’s non-Muslim citizens is concerned. After all, there have been instances where monuments or the places of worship of various religious communities have been encroached upon or damaged during communal violence, or have simply fallen into disrepair.
Lahore, in particular, has various structures that could do with the state’s attention. While some Sikh monuments are well kept, thanks to the financial support of the global Sikh community, other structures, especially in the old city, are not in very good shape. Funding remains an issue and the government can perhaps work with communities to raise finances, along with offering infrastructure and expertise for preservation efforts. Such moves would send a strong message that the state respects the heritage of its non-Muslim citizens and wants to preserve it. For if Pakistan wants to be known as a pluralistic nation, it must treat the heritage of all communities as national heritage.