By Shireen M Mazari
While the controversy over whether or not Baitullah Mehsud has finally been taken out continues to gather momentum, but the US is already seeking its pound of flesh for having finally lent "technical" support to the Pakistani state – if indeed that is what really happened. After all, one has witnessed the earlier and continuous reluctance of the US to target the leader of the TTP, adding to suspicions that the sophisticated arms and monetary largesse may have been flowing from the Afghan side courtesy the US and India. But then it is also a historic reality that when the time comes, the US not only abandons its earlier "allies" but can dispose of them permanently so no one lives to tell the tale! But if this has worked to Pakistan's advantage for once, why complain!
For Pakistan what is important now is to exploit the confusion and the clearly visible signs of dissent within the TTP, so that a costly and uncertain military operation in FATA can be avoided and the terrorists denied space through clever political and economic manoeuvring. After all, if the Brits can suddenly distinguish between "good" and "bad" Taliban – with Miliband's three pragmatic categories – surely our state can cause dissensions in the rank by separating those weary members of the TTP who would be prepared to avoid the impending in-fighting and lay down their arms from the diehard terrorists. But this cannot be done if we continue the old British colonial policy of inflicting collective punishment on the whole Mehsud tribe – which is being done at the moment. It is unfortunate that the initiative taken by the Mehsud jirga to visit Islamabad was not reciprocated by our prime minister who refused to see them during their seven-day stay in the capital. Apparently, he was unwilling to see the 40-plus delegation on grounds of security, being unable to comprehend the criticality of this meeting with no one prepared to point this out to him. Incidentally, it is a sorry reflection on our democracy if our prime minister is fearful of meeting 40-plus Pakistani citizens even after the security checks that are in place! Let us hope that better sense prevails within our decision makers – be they uniformed or in civvies – so that repressive policies like collective punishment are abandoned for more viable and attractive policies that give the people of FATA a sense that they have a stake in the system and promise of a better life if they go with the state.
Unfortunately at the moment the state seems to be offering little to anyone beyond the politically privileged. Karachi is descending into chaos with targeted and custodial killings, and the continuing dearth of electricity. Balochistan continues to be ignored despite the horrific targeted killings along ethnic lines, which the government also seems to be ignoring. Are they deliberately waiting for Baloch dissidents to declare their independence from Pakistan before resorting to military action similar to what happened in FATA? Threats of declaring an independent Balochistan from dissidents abroad are gaining momentum given how such activities are being supported by not only our so-called allies but our traditional detractors also.
The irony is that when there is a general political consensus on what needs to be done in Balochistan, why is no one moving on that count – neither Parliament nor the rulers? Where is there movement on declaring a general amnesty for all political prisoners and dissidents? Where is there movement on producing the missing persons, or information on them at least – not just those from Balochistan but from across Pakistan? Where is the decision to remove the FC from the settled areas of Balochistan, especially the pickets that are seen as a source of harassment by the ordinary Baloch? Why is there no move to implement the last Senate's consensus recommendations on Balochistan – given that the present ruling party's Raza Rabbani was also an author of the recommendations? Equally critical, why are US marines all over Balochistan?
But then US personnel are all over Pakistan and gradually defying all the laws of the land. The incident of the SHO being abused and threatened by a US embassy guard (or diplomat since he seemed to have that status) is jut one incident. Imagine what will happen in Islamabad and across Pakistan with 1000 plus US marines running loose all armed and oblivious to Pakistani law! Once again Holbrooke is arriving, no doubt to claim his pound of flesh for the drone attack against Baitullah! Already the US seems to think that the Pakistani public will now cheer on the drone attacks regardless of the issues of sovereignty and collateral damage! Also, he is bound to pressure the army into beginning a full-scale conventional operation in FATA – which will be a disaster for us. Is he also going to pressure us further into accepting Blackwater and CIA front groups across the NWFP? Is he going to press us into allowing the 1000 plus marines into Islamabad and providing them immunity from the law of the land?
But then it is not just US citizens that are defying our laws and regulations. There was a major security issue the other day in Islamabad when a Danish embassy security man chose to "test" our security system by faking a bomb on his car. Too bad the security personnel did not shoot first and ask questions later but the man needs to be deported for conducting such a move without any prior approval let alone authorisation from the Pakistani authorities. Could our embassy security personnel in Denmark ever get away with such reckless behaviour? No.
Nor is it just defiance of the security laws that are now common place amongst certain foreign nationals and diplomats. Even normal civic laws are being flouted daily – especially in the Capital. The Swedes, following the Italians, have sought to take over part of Margalla Road (a major capital artery) in addition to their cement blockades by throwing cement across the street thereby compelling motorists to use the wrong side of the road. This is not to mention the horrific cement blocks that impede driving and also pose a threat to the unwary driver. Surely all those diplomats who feel insecure should move forthwith to the diplomatic enclave so that the citizens of Pakistan can once again regain freedom of access in their own country. Of course in the diplomatic enclave, it is apartheid all over, with Pakistanis denied access now even to some of the restaurants in that area of Pakistan.
But then it is our rulers who are to blame. After all, which other country so willingly hands over its citizens to other states to torture and kill? We have been doing this since 9/11 – and if one delved deeply enough I am sure our state was doing this much before also. It is not just on the terrorism pretext either. For instance our rulers have decided to hand over a Pakistani travel agent and his wife to Saudi Arabia where they will face the death penalty. Yes, we do have an extradition treaty with Saudi Arabia but it seems to work only one way and are we sure our citizens would get justice in that country?
But then the white and green that symbolises Pakistan is fading all around us. Our present rulers have sought to replace the Pakistani flag with their own party flag despite the fact that less than half the country voted them into power. Our presidency has become a party headquarters; personalised rule is the hallmark of the day; institutional norms and procedures lie dead; and we better get used to a new flag and disappearing pictures of the Quaid from official buildings. This is the new democratic feudal fiefdom of Pakistan.
The writer is a defence analyst. Email: callstr@hotmail.com