Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

What makes it worse for Pakistan today is that it is not just producing terrorism, but is, in fact, its worst hit target 
Kiran Nazish Karachi

How a country is recognised or known around the world is largely influenced by a singular process or culture that is dominant within it, which becomes not only the constitutive but also the definitive characteristic of that country. Even as globalisation facilitates global terrorism, terrorism itself will put the brakes on globalisation, if not dealt with in time. This is a serious concern for the whole world. 

Pakistan today stands accused of globalising terrorism, even as about 35,000 Pakistan is (mostly civilians) have lost their lives in various terror acts orchestrated by Islamic terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and the Taliban since 9/11. These sacrifices, however, have done no good to the country’s image or to its economy as the country has failed to accomplish peace. Worse, Pakistan is seen as a betrayer, a manipulator and a failure in the decade-long war against terrorism. Indeed, this image sadly feeds on the fact that large parts of the country have fallen victim to fascist, extremist outfits.

Although Pakistan as a State has not been entirely dishonest in the fight against terrorism, it does include segments that sympathise with the extremists. Moreover, Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) proposed and made many deals between the army and the Pakistani Taliban by calling the militants “Good Taliban”.

This nexus was exposed in April 2004, when the army negotiated a deal with a tribal militant leader, Naik Mohammad, granted him amnesty and the right to possess weapons. However, the militant attacks did not stop. In 2005, the Pakistani military made another agreement with leading Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, offering him about $20 million “to surrender”, but sadly learnt that generosity and trust do not work with Mehsud’s militia. Again, in September 2006 the army signed yet another deal with the militants — the Waziristan Agreement. 

These deals were meant to serve as “strategic asset” to make India behave itself in Kabul— apparently the reason why Pakistan had a soft corner for the “Good Taliban”. But all that Pakistan actually reaped was the chaos it had created for itself; these proposals and deals have instead strengthened the vicious war-mongers. Indeed, it’s utterly stupid to strengthen one enemy to keep another at bay.

In fact, of the 35,000-odd lives that Pakistan has sacrificed in this war, many are those that were lost due to internal failures, if not entirely because of cooperation with the extremists.

Anyone who challenges the complex religious, economic and social ills that divide Pakistan today is killed by the Taliban. Despite the threats of blasts and assassinations, scores of people and activists in Pakistan continue to fight for freedom. Sadly, freedom would remain a distant dream unless they realise and manage the content of their discourse and perceptive judgement. As Pakistan desperately seeks peace, it is essential to look back at every step it has taken towards this hell fire.