Foreign hand invovled in Pakistan unrest

PESHAWAR: People from different walks of life suspect foreign involvement in law and order situation in Frontier and Fata, with some of them believing this as an international conspiracy to isolate and separate the region from the rest of the world.

Each and every dweller of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is concerned over what has been happening in this part of the world for the past many years.

The situation has badly affected the local industry, the trade activity, education---especially female education, media and politics. The entire political scenario has been changed and the prime focus of the rulers is no more development of the area under their jurisdiction but to struggle against the elements that are deteriorating the law and order situation.

“I think the situation worsened after army was involved at a time when there was no need of it. The issue of militancy in some parts of Fata should have been settled politically and not by force,” remarked Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel, the senior vice president of the Awami National Party (ANP) that shares coalition government in Center and NWFP.

The seasoned nationalist politician believed army could not do for what purpose it was called to Swat and Fata. “It is not clear as to weather they are not properly trained to fight guerilla war or they don’t want to open fire on Muslim brothers,” Adeel remarked.

The member of the Upper House expressed the area where Pakhtuns are living has attraction for the international powers, including America, China, Russia, Arab Countries, India and Iran. “It is up to the government in center to decide weather to fight or settle the issue through dialogue. We the politicians believe on negotiations but the situation is complex,” he opined.

The situation in Frontier and Fata has come to a point where people are packing up for safer places. The insecurity, uncertainty and the failure of government to deliver have resulted in utmost disappointment among around 23 million population of Frontier and Fata.

“It is not clear as to the government is silent over whatever is happening around or it has failed to address the issue of militancy properly. The fact is that each and every citizen of the Frontier and Fata believe the situation has cut off them from the rest of the country,” expressed Ali Kamran, a student of the University of Peshawar.

Bomb blasts, suicide attacks, blowing up educational institutions and hurling threats to others and kidnapping for ransom have made the life a hell for a common citizen in the entire tribal belt and Peshawar, Tank, Dera Ismail KhanIsmail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, Kohat, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Swat, Buner and Dir.

Asif Luqman Qazi, a senior leader of the Jamat-e-Islami (JI), blamed the previous government in Center for the turmoil in Fata and Frontier. He, however, added the situation developed after the rulers declared Pakistan as front-line state against War on Terror.

“The people of Pakistan consider it a war against Islam and Muslims but the government acted against the sentiments of the public. The present regime replaced President MusharrafPresident Musharraf but the policy was not changed because they had come into power under a deal with the Americans and Pakistani establishment,” stated the young Qazi.

“There are foreign conspiracies, and clearly Indian and American hand behind it, but the responsibility for the country’s security rests upon our own government,” the JI district Nowshera amir continued. He, however, added that it was the Pakistani government that provided opportunity for the enemies to take advantage of the situation.

“We condemn the sabotage acts and killing of innocent people and consider it against the teachings of Islam and Quran. Even in military operations innocent people and not militants are killed and their houses demolished,” maintained Asif Luqman Qazi. He offered that JI can play its role and mediate if the government shows sincerity and willingness to solve the issue.

It was because of the local situation that for the first time in history that a federal minister, Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, assured the business community of NWFP to take up the issue of declaring Frontier a war-hit province. It is a fact that what has been happening in Peshawar and other parts of Frontier and Fata is worst than many war-hit countries. Peshawar has been rated one of the most dangerous towns of the world following its two-year history.

“Many know about a map issued by an American think tank that had a different look of the region with divided Pakistan. If there is really any international conspiracy to separate and isolate the region than the question is that what our rulers and our intelligencia is doing to counter it?” opined Sharafat Ali Mubarak, who apart from being the provincial vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz also heads the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The SCCI president also accused the previous rulers of unwise policies on two important occasions, when Russia invaded Afghanistan and again after the 9/11 incident. “All the stakeholders and walks of life need to be consulted over the issue. The people of the province should be taken into confidence and talks should be held with militants for restoring peace in the region and country,” concluded Sharafat.

The government formed in center and province after last year’s general elections was the last hope for the people of the province suffering from the situation in NWFP and Fata. Though the performance of the governments during the last ten months could not up to the expectations of the public, hopes are still there that peace would be restored to the area soon once sincere efforts were made by the rulers.

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