I am writing this post when Pakistan’s Army Operation Rah-e-Rast is about to conclude successfully in Swat Valley against the” Talibans”. At least I hope that it would!
I have no doubt that Army will wipe out the present threat to Pakistan from Talibans and other extremist factors, however, what I am not sure of is what has been done to ensure that this threat will not be posed in future. We have done enough mistakes to learn and do something sustainable to avoid the present situation in future. The time has gone when we could afford the failures; a slightest mistake now might result in disaster.
I have no doubt that Army will wipe out the present threat to Pakistan from Talibans and other extremist factors, however, what I am not sure of is what has been done to ensure that this threat will not be posed in future. We have done enough mistakes to learn and do something sustainable to avoid the present situation in future. The time has gone when we could afford the failures; a slightest mistake now might result in disaster.
A long term multifaceted stretigic plan has to be devised and implemented. Not just the security plan but economic and social plans as well. We should not ignore the fact that NWFP in general and FATA in particular have been deprived off basic infrastructure, industrial development and quality education. These factors must be focused on. Make the people living there PAKISTANIS rather than “Qabailies” (Tribesmen). Let those areas be known with their names and not “Elaqa Gher” (NO GO Areas).
Promote the feeling in the people living there that their identity is Pakistan and they are the identity of Pakistan. This is the only way we can have lasting peace in these areas and fail the conspiracies of the enemies who are targeting the very unity of Pakistan.
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