Al-Qaeda Breeding Ground

As I stepped out of my car into a vast field of old and ragged tents, just outside Mardan city, I was shocked to see thousands of displaced refugees from Bajaur and Swat vallies in the North West of Pakistan. They were literally forced out of their homes by persistent bombardment from the allied forces who are seeking Talibans but instead bombing civilians and were made homeless and left to beg for help and mercy in their own country among their own brothers and sisters.

These farmers and shepherds who lived peacefully in vast swath of farmland in the beautiful valley of Swat now occupy a small unclean eight by eight tent with access to no basic amenities including electricity, bathrooms, hygiene, food or proper shelter from rain and fast approaching winter. There is only one tent available per family, which in this part of the world means six or seven individuals per tent. The tents are designed for only two persons.

To my surprise and astonishment, no international relief agency (United Nations, Red Cross, etc) is in sight. Some efforts made by the local government have also run aground by rampant corruption and lack of will to acknowledge the plight of these people at the highest government level. Worst of all, neither the Pakistan or American army, whose bombs have displaced thousands of children, women and old men, fail to acknowledge the consequences of their actions. To them the matter is closed and is not worth discussing.

The people are disgruntled and angry. They do not understand why the Pakistan government does not want to assist them and come for their aid. They are bewildered at the United Nations, United States and the “coalition of the willing” that has turned a blind eye to this man made disaster.

There is a token mobile health van on location (provided by some government department), but no sign of any medical professional. There are no schools for the kids to resume their education, no pharmacy for the sick and dieing, no warm clothing for the northern winters. And worst of all, there is no functional kitchen/dining facility for these people.

Where the government and international relief agencies have failed to come to aid in their hour of need, the local citizens of Mardan District with the help of local government are doing what they can to house, feed and cloth them. A few hand pumps have been dug and built by a local NGO. Every now and then, the local population donates food and other utensils to the poor. Even the rag tag of tents that they are housed in are left overs from the relief efforts from the massive earthquake of 2005 that shook the North East of Pakistan.

To add to this effort, today Samaa TV also played its noble part. I had decided to tag along with the investigative team of Samaa TV (a Pakistani national Television Channel) that was tracking the plight of these individuals with a thought provoking documentary (aired on September 12, 2008). Today, as part of their efforts, they had arranged an iftar meal (breaking of the fast during Ramadan) for the entire camp. Even the CEO of the channel, who flew in from Karachi (a port city 2000 km away in the south of Pakistan) was present on location witnessing the disaster and joining them with his team for the evening meal.

Hats off to the local NGOs and citizens of Mardan who are helping the innocent victims of war on terror. All praise to Samaa and similar organizations who are making an effort to make a difference in the bleak lives of the displaced. Without the kindness of these organizations and people, there is little hope for the beleaguered.

The biggest fear that everyone here has, is that the world may simply ignore their plight. And if that happens, then we are doing it at our own peril. These forgotten victims of war on terror are angry, frustrated, penniless and without any prospects of livelihood. This in turn makes this camp, the best breeding ground for Al-Qaeda and Taliban sympathizers. Many of the young ones will simply pick up a gun (for paltry sums of money offered by the Al-Qaeda) rather than a pen if they are not properly cared for.

Let us write to our senators, congressmen, our national and provincial assembly members, our presidents and prime ministers and ask them one question. “We can authorize billions of dollars for the bombardment of the region, but can we also authorize a few bucks for the betterment of the local people?”

I have said it before, and I will repeat again, “No amount of bombing can win the hearts and minds of the disgruntled populace. But a few acts of kindness can change the perception of the people and break the stronghold of Al-Qaeda in the region.”

Let's not forget the forgotten victims of the war on terror. Let's do our part and help make this world a better and peaceful place.