Pakistani Action Against Taliban Overdue

Posted 2009-06-09

Extremists like the Taliban will stop at nothing. Their goal has always been to establish their own brand of “Islamic” system.

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Extremists like the Taliban will stop at nothing. Their goal has always been to establish their own brand of “Islamic” system.

Associated Press

By Ehsan Ahmed

DURING THE LAST several weeks, Pakistani military has been engaged in fierce battle with “Pakistani Taliban” in the Northern territory of Swat. Swat is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. During peaceful times, this was a major tourists attraction, where people came from all over the world to visit.

The military action against the Taliban has been long overdue. The truth is that the New Pakistani democratic government, especially President Zardari, underestimated the impact of the Taliban takeover when it agreed to a peace negotiation with the Pakistani faction of Taliban.

President Zardari’s government should have learned a lesson from the previous President Musharaf’s experiences with the Taliban in Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. Taliban from the very first day of inception do not believe in any norms of human civilization. Whenever they start to face a weakened military position, they opt for negotiation to buy more time. Several pacts were signed during General Musharaf’s government and broken by Taliban.

While President Zardari was spending most of his time trying to solve the economic crisis, a Pakistani faction of the Taliban was recruiting young people from all over the Frontier Province, especially from Tribal Areas. There were constant reports from the Pakistani and international media about the Taliban’s horrendous activities in Northern Pakistan. They were kidnapping hundreds of young boys for ransom. Many of these young boys were also being forced into becoming Taliban soldiers as well as potential suicide bombers. Suicide attacks in Northern Pakistan have become a daily event. There are suicide attacks in other parts of Pakistan directly linked with the Taliban.

It was evident to most people that these extremists will stop at nothing. Their goal has always been to establish their own brand of “Islamic” system. It is important to remember that Pakistani Taliban are no different than Afghan Taliban. They have no respect for basic human rights. They have been killing innocent citizens and hanging their bodies while escaping from Swat.

It is imperative that Pakistan eradicate these people from Swat. Their presence in the Northwestern Province poses a direct threat to Islamabad and rest of Pakistan.

It should be noted that the public at large supports the military action and wants the Pakistani government to show strength. It is important to remember that the current government was elected by popular support and religious parties which sympathized with Taliban were soundly defeated in this election.
During the few months when the Taliban had a free reign in Swat, they burned girls’ schools, destroyed hospitals and enforced a reign of terror unlike anything in the history of this region. There have been instances of beatings and public lashings of innocent men and women.

Terrorists’ main goal is to strike fear among the public at large and the Pakistani Taliban are no different. There is clear evidence that entities linked with the Taliban were involved in assassinating former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. They have also been linked with terrorists who struck at Bombay hotels last December. It was evident that they wanted to create tensions between India and Pakistan.

While Pakistani government was dealing with major crisis with India, the Taliban were consolidating their position in Swat and other surrounding areas.
Pakistan must defeat these terrorists to survive in the long run. Pakistan was founded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1947 on the principle of social justice, equality and freedom of religion. A great majority of Pakistanis adhere to Sufi (Brelvi) school of thought and practice peaceful way of life.

Unfortunately, during the military regime of Ziaul Haq in the 1980s, there was huge inflow of money from Saudi Arabia, which established Wahabbi-oriented (madrasas) schools. A fraction of those students became the Afghan Taliban (which literally means students). The Pakistan Taliban are an outgrowth of the same Taliban who invited Osama Bin Ladin into Afghanistan. These Pakistani Taliban want to control a larger area in Pakistan, which can potentially facilitate increased terrorists activities. The Pakistani government must continue with its resolve to defeat the Taliban.

The U.S. government’s increased support of Pakistan is a step in the right direct. The free world’s long term security hinges on how what happens in Pakistan during the next few months.

Ehsan Ahmed teaches economics at James Madison University.