A while back we focused on the Swat situation in the wake of Lal Masjid. Yesterday, Maulana Fazlullah the illegal FM radio cleric ( as he has come be known) ended the “peace deal” with the administration. According to this “deal ” made a few months, Maulana had to disband his illegal radio station in exchange for a promise from the administration not to proceed against him and his supporters . On a side note, interesting that we live in a country where such deals are made by the administration but we digress.
The situation is tense in Swat after this announcement by Maulana Fazalullah given that threatening letters to “stop obscenity” are constantly being received by private individuals and businesses. The situation has now reached a point that the District Coordination Officer has to ask the people to abide by the edicts of the anonymous letters.
What can Swat expect now? Academic Khadim Hussain a keen observer of the Swat situation has shared his thoughts with us in an article titled, “ The genesis of militancy and extremism in Swat” Take a look.
as the writer mentioned that, through the early nineties, the clergy, consisting mostly of those migrated from Afghanistan during Afghan war and after the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan, got an opportunity to introduce an interpretation of the Islamic Sharia’a, i think that it is the responsibility of the government should take several steps to keep a check on these migrated citizens from afghanistan. Not only the government but The secular and liberal political parties like Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan People’s Party are responsable who have remained silent over the rulings of the anonymous letters and the District Inspector General of Police and District and Session Judge should also be taken under consideration.A complete and actual picture of Swat has been depicted. I think that one cannot enforce Islam on us . When our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) never gave the teachings of Islam forcefully, then who is anyone else to do this ? One can only become a role model and show others how one should lead a life by following the rules and regulations set by Islam. So please stop these threatening activities / teachings and PREACH ( which has always been the true way for spreading Islam).
After reading the long debate of 51 comments on the issue, I am happy to see that many people are still there who love peace and hate militancy but at the same time I am shocked how less our own people know about the reality of what is happening on our land. Who are creators and who are getting benifit of this state of war on our land. I will take just the last comment as an example.
My moderate friend may be not know that there is no madrassa of in Afghanistan even of the level of Madrassa-I-Darwesh Peshawar, leaving all togather the madrassas of Karachi (Jamia-I-Faridia, Sohrab Ghot, Jamia-I-banoria and many more), Lahore, Raiwand, Mansora, Hizro, Akora Khattak etc.
Again The state of Afghanistan was formed in 1749 and in its long history of 250 years it has never been a theocracy, Afghans made states of ghazna, ghori, and even ruled India but never made theocracies. Al-Beroni who visited Afghanistan says about Afghans that, ‘They are half muslim’. Rather it was the Indian muslim who made these bases of Political Islam. They established Shah Ismail moment, Dewband, Tahrik-I-Khilafat, Jumat-I-Islami, and many other Maktaba-I-Fikr. One can not name any single Maktaba-I-Fikr initiated on Afghan land.
The afghans if have studied in madrassas will always be on the Pakistani Side of Durand line where the network was established by the Pakistani establishment with help of Arabs and even USA during the cold war.
Comming to the question of ANP, although I have some minor resevations against its role in recent years, but regarding the Afghan war and the redicalisation of our society their role is simply commendable. They are kafir(as Pakistan havemade their picture) because of their opposition to the process of redicalisation of pukhtoon society and terming afghan jihad as ‘Fasad’.
Lastly many friends here stressed upon the elders to fight the present crices. It is true that everyone should play its role but, do they have the power and resources to fight againt the state. I think, this is beyond their capabilities and it will give rise to another conflict between state and the local elders, which has already taken the lives of many elders and general public in waziristan as an example.
One thing I would suggest that the public should pass their clear messege to the state, if they do not stop their bloddy war games on pushtoon land then pushtoons should look for other awailable options before the society is polarised to the extent whn that is not possible too and when the global powers are out from the scene.
But why have the commentors above included those mysterious numbers like 07-0553 and 04-011 with their names? Are these people ISI wallas?
Islam is a religion of peace. The literal meaning of Islam is peace for everyone. Islam doesn’t tecahes the use force and terror in order to make people abide by the rules of Islam. If we carefully observe, we can see that during various ‘Ghazawat our Holy Prophet (PBUH) prohibited muslim from killing those of the enemies who asked for safety even prohibited the killing of children and women which was common during wars before Islam. Even on the ocassion of “Fatah-e-Makkah” Holy Prophet (PBUH) announced forgiveness to everyone. It was this kindness that made people to accept Islam as they observed that Islam is a religion of Peace and equality.
I think that the people responsible for these kind of acts are either not fully aware of Islamic teachings or they have been brain washed into believing in false ideas by people who are manipulating them inorder to fullfil their own ambitions. They are thinking that they can impose Islam using force. Actually this act of terrorism is working in favor of government and West. This shameful act is destroying the peace loving image of Islam.
The situation in swat is very critical and after carefully observing government response to this issue, one can easily deduce that our government is involved in this issue. You may ask me why? The answer is why does the District Coordination Officer, asks people to follow the instruction given in the letter when he receives complaints regarding these letter. Why is not government paying any attention to this critical situation of swat. It the same as the “Lal Masjid” issue that was brought up by government only to divert people’s attention from Chief Justice issue, which had become a pain in the neck for the government. Also government is under foreign pressure, i.e., its not doing enough in so called “War against terrorism”. So in order to show America and allies that we are also being affected by terrorism, government agencies are involved in these kinds of acts just like the “Ogri Camp” incident that occurred decades ago where thousand of citizens of Rawalpindi and surrounding lost their life because of the so called “accident” in Ammunition Depot.
Observing the silence of major political parties like PML and PPP, it make it clear that government is behind this issue. There are other ways to solve problems. Killing and terrorizing is not the only way.
As I sad earlier that Islam was not spread using force. People embraced Islam when they saw the affection, kindness and equality that muslims enjoyed. So by terrorizing and using life threatening letters inorder to make people follow Islamic teaching will only create and sense of terror and people will only follow religious teaching, not because they want to but because they are being forced to do it. I think it is the duty of Religious Scholars to make people aware of the teaching of Islam that Islam doesn’t teaches to kill dozens of innocent people and children thinking that he will be going to heaven. Also its governments job to provide security to the people of the country.
This article highlights the chronic critical condition going on in the valley Swat because of some confrontational group. No serious action has been taken in response to the threat by these militants. The dwellers feel agitated in fact but due to lack of Government support and uninterrupted words of warning, they are forced to act upon for what the warnings have been given. The cable operators have shut down their business because they have seen the whole market of the CD shop burnt into ashes when they pad no attention to the anonymous warning letters.
This is only one example of what is really happening in the valley. Their threats are innumerable. Though these are just letters but this hostages the whole district. Even the District Coordination Officer and the local political parties have given up and have asked the people to obey what they have been asked in these letters.
The situation is very disappointing. We have forgotten our true values, religious ethics and the purpose for what we earned this independent state. And now the people are counting on a miracle to come through. The question that comes up in the queue is that who should be accountable for these whole devastating circumstances in Swat? Is it a carry-over of the past situation witnessed back in 1990s? The Afghan war or some other external factors? Whatever the cause may be, the government should take an action accordingly and let the people live a terror free liberal life.
ASLAM-O-ALAIKUM
We are living in ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, for which our forefather’s gave many sacrifices of their lives, propertyetc. The main idea behind achieving this country was to provide a land for the muslisms of subcontinent where they can live freely, move freely, perform their religious activities without any hurdle. We are really lucky to have an independent country.
First of all i would like to mention that what is the main reason behind this all situation?
Our internal clashes are the root cause of all this scenario. First of all we have to resolve our these internal clashes. We have to mention the factors which are helpfull for our internal clashes. Violation of Pakistan’s act and law, enhances this problem, mishandling and lack of proper plannig, enthnolinguistic clashes, unequal distribution of power etc.
Due to the above mention problems, extrnel powers have a good chance to interupt in our internal matters. There are some big powers of the world which do not want to see Pakistan as a stable country. Countries like USA and India which are playing a great manoply against us to destroy us, and to destablized our State.
Another imortant factor for this problem is the lack of education. Still in this era of knowledge and technology, people of the Tribal areas are illitrate and it is easy to misguide them and to set thier minds in the wrong direction. But the question is this that who are these people who set their minds? and why are these people accepting their ideas? The answer of the first part of the question is, the strategy of the super powers, it is easy for them to destroy them and to support them. And the answer of the second question is, that no one wants to accept the orders of Pakistani Government.
These illitrate people have no any concept of Jihad. They think that by sending these kind of warning letters, is a part of Jihad against Modernization. But actually it is unislamic and unethical. It is the duty of our Molana’s to guide them the real definintion of Jihad, and Government should contribute in educating these people. Islam is the religion which teaches us about the peace and freedom of human beings. Its a person’s own matter to wear pant shirts, to wear shalwar kameez, to veil her self or not.
One of the major factor for this situation is the reaction of Political crisis in our country. It could be a reaction of “Lal Masjid” operation and operation against different madrisas in Tribal areas. The reason of these operations is the orders of the super powers. In addition to these operations it could be a reaction of support of USA in Afghan war. Pakistan gave its land to US army against Talbans, and these Talibans are moving to our Tribal areas and trying to divide Pakistan.
CONCLUSION: First of all we have to resolve our internal crisis, make our Government strong, forget our ethnolinguistic clashes, and every muslim should have a sound knowledge of Islam, and to obey our national moto UNITY, FAITH and DISCIPLINE.
these are our roll numbers…….dun u worrry we r not from ISI
Oh! So you are, sort of, students, haan…? How come you developed interest in this issue?
Whatever, your participation and views are commendable but you need to read some more…I don’t mean that ridiculous book called “Pakistan Studies/Mutalia Pakistan”…other good books….
DEAR SIR
AS a pakistani , i must worried about present situation in pakistan. Now every leader want his/her own benifit and no one think about pakistani public .
Sir as u know our all leaders are not effecient like mulla fazl-rehman
.All they want is authority but they have no capability and right of having a executive post.I personally think that one must kill all these leaders.this is the only way for a bright pakistan .sir my parents are migrators from india ad they hope for a bright pakistan.present situation a hopeless so i think tthat in pakistan a revolution is requiered.student and public of pakistan must take some steps against our useless leaders. The thought that pakistan is a property of some rich and powerfull families should removed .the only way is that new governmant should be there.so our old and present government should me eliminated .it only can done by emotions and by the persons who want to see emerging pakistan in super countries’s list
Dear Sir
Islam is a relegion of peace and one cannot spread Islam forcefully. No one will embraced Islam forcefully. People embraced relegion when they saw that there is freedom,brotherhood,equality. They will not emrace Islam by looking at terrorism. Relegious scholar have to come up and give knowloegde to the people through electronic media that how can we spread Islam. And tell them that no one will embrace Islam if you keep killing innocent people
The situation in swat infact throuhout the country is very bad and disappointing.We are not following our leaders which gave us a country to implement Islam freely and we are not obeying our true values, religious ethics and the purpose for what we earned this independent state. We rely on miracles rather than doing each every step carefully and honestly. We should follow Islam and pass our lives according to our relegion rather than by spreading teerorism in the country.
The government should take steps and give a proper security system in swat to give people the freedom and confidence to move freely throughout the city. Unfortunately government is not taking steps either due to external pressures or may be due to internal situation in government which is going through a devastating period.
.
ASLAM-O-ALAIKUM
to talk about the current situation in swat, we first look back almost 30 to 40 years ago . the region in which the pakistan is situated is considered to be the most unstable region now . the reason for this is the series of unfortunate events held in this part of the world .the main events are :
When the cold war started , the world disintegrated in to two poles.one pole was supporting USA and the other pole was supporting USSR.Pakistan wasa supporting USA.On the other hand, russia wanted to get hold of warm waters.russians attacked Afghanistan. At that time Pakistan was ruled by ZIA-UL-HAQ. To stop russian, USA told Pakistan to create an army that can fight with russians in Afganistan .this army was sponsered by USA.this army included militant groups named hizbul-mujahiden etc. they fought with russians in Afganistan . The cold war was over, and USSR was disintegrated in different countries which is known as central asia today. after this ,these groups were there for long time and turned in to “taliban”. When 9/11 happened,USA blamed talibans for this and attacked afghanistan. Taliban fought with americans for two three years.some groups of these talibans entered pakistan from the north area of FATA and started living there . some groups went in to different parts of paksitan and started living in madrasas.When americans came to knew that talibans are in pakistan ,they asked Pakistan to arrest them and give them to USA.So the talibans created by Zia ul haq are creating alot of problems for the people of pakistan .
Now i come to the present situation of swat,the maulana who is creating fear and terror in swat belongs to the same breed of talibans brain washed by pakistani army .people say that they are extremist but i will say that they are mentally ill and reponsible for this is ARMY.now this ill person is traning and teaching other young muslims the very wrong concept of islam . these young muslims are traned in such a way that they can blow themself by putting a C4 explosive on his chest.
cable tv is closed in swat ,now the people of swat are disconnected from the rest of the world ,now these taliban can easily brain wash them.
the solution to this matter is ;first a all, army should not be involved .secondly, the local law inforcement agencies should take matter in there hands by the help of local people.They should trace the people who are writing these letters ,swat is not such a big place . thirdly,Relegious scholars from all over pakistan should make a deligation and talk to these people.
fourthly,if they dont agree then they should be removed from the valley of swat. one thing i can asure u that these people are highly trained.they are trained in gorilla warfare, can make explosives and are getting aids from countries like INDIA , to create unstability .
ISLAM is religion which is 1400 years old.i agree that this time is not good for the muslims of the world but this does not mean that we start to blow over self up. the muslims living in different parts of the world wear different dresses. if we see the people doing umrah in hajj mubarak ,there are guards standing there wearing pent and shirt.another example is the muslims living in western countries offer their prays to allah wearing western dress.
hi there everybody,
i just read the article and i was dishearted that how the situation in swat has deteriated rapidly.In my view, this article has explained the roots of growing terrorism activities in swat .what i understand is irresponsibility of the government.
Extremism does not originate haphazardly. It must indeed have causes and motivation,in our opinion the main causes of extremism in pakistan is Militancy, unresolved political disputes, poverty, illiteracy and class difference.Due to the above mention problems, extrnel powers have a good chance to interupt in our internal matters. There are some big powers of the world which do not want to see Pakistan as a stable country. Countries like USA and India which are playing a great manoply against us to destroy us, and to destablized our State.
Another imortant factor for this problem is the lack of education. Still in this era of knowledge and technology, people of the Tribal areas are illitrate and it is easy to misguide them and to set thier minds in the wrong direction. But the question is this that who are these people who set their minds? and why are these people accepting their ideas? The answer of the first part of the question is, the strategy of the super powers, it is easy for them to destroy them and to support them. And the answer of the second question is, that no one wants to accept the orders of Pakistani Government.
the militancy is so prevailed in this country that politicians have no where to go further, the responnse of locals,living in different areas, is not strong which has allowed so called exremists to strengthen their roots.In reality,the government is the archeitect of this whole anarchy,the clergy having experienced the taste of power and authority during the last fiveyears,may aspire for rule more vigorously and may try its best to avail opportunity by opposing democracy. By depicting democratic rule as an alien and difficult process to understand it will try to get simple minded voters on its side and to get their sympathies as happened in the lal masjid case.
conclusion : there is a great deal of difference between a military and a real democratic way of handling different situation.Our think tanks should realize by now that national interests are important but they should not be achieved on the expense of extremist aititude in public.
Islam is a relegion of peace and one cannot spread Islam forcefully. No one will embraced Islam forcefully. People embraced relegion when they saw that there is freedom,brotherhood,equality. They will not emrace Islam by looking at terrorism. Relegious scholar have to come up and give knowloegde to the people through electronic media that how can we spread Islam. And tell them that no one will embrace Islam if you keep killing innocent people
The writer has surely highlited the shameful and terrorising behaviour in sawat and showed us the reason to try and stop this brutal approach with the locals.Anonymous threatning letters posted to any one leave such brain teasing thoughts that forces that person to think major consequences and it always ends up in a drastic useless steps but one thing thats been bugging me in and out is WHY now? I agree that everyhting happening there is wrong and surely the basic right of a human is being violated which is FREEDOM,freedom n liberty of thought and living but analyzing the situation and trying to find facts in it cant change anything.As current situation in NWFP has gone red alert and pakistan army and media is there to see it,only then a common person has came to know da present situation goin on.If the govt cannot do anyhting,the parties cannot do anything,analyst cant do anything,then who is there to be blamed,who is there to stop them and why is the situation raised now to everyone when its already too late and militants are in complete control of the peoples mind and rights.
The situation of district swat described in the analysis is really critical.The atmosphere of terror,bloodshed and fear as described by the writer is effecting the whole vally which was once a beautiful place having generous people and accomodative atmosphere.The law enforcement agencies are helpless to do there job against the anonymous letter.Burnig of shops ,cds ,forcing children to wear shalwar kamiz,standing out of barbour shop to watch if someone is shaving his beard ,giving warnings to women etc,is ridiculous.
This is the fact that the situation is effecting not only the local workers, shopkeepers but also effecting to innocent school children.
sir according to my opinion swat like other frontier areas is developing a strong hold of talibanization. These people are taking out there frustration against the government for taking severe action against talibanization.
article depicts complications and conflicts which have been added by extremeists in religion of islam.
islam is a religion that can not be spread by enforcing it on people.
current satuation in Swat is due to bad social and political conditions in country.No party is playing any role in solving problems.
i think there are some Talibans that have introduced some new rules for islam that have made people narrow minded while islam is very broad religion.Due to current satuation people of Swat are cutoff from the outside
world.
i think the problem can b solved by mending up political and social conditions of country.
AOA Everyone!
The above article,written by Khadim Hussain,highlights an important issue of our homeland Pakistan,that is the worsening situation of peace in Swat valley.First I will describe the story as it is told by the writer.He has written that Swat valley is in a reign or terror,the main culprit according to him is Maulana Fazlullah. Maulana Fazlullah is a cleric in Swat valley who used to run a radio station.The administration did not like him trying to preach in a way that tried to force the people into doing what he thought was right.So they had entered into a deal with him,which made his radio station disfunctional-in return,he and his supporters were given a safe haven.that,according to the writer,is the mistake of the administration.They should have handled the issue in more effective manner.after giving a reading to the article,we get the imprssion that writer is against Maulana Fazlullah,but he believes admin could have handled this issue in a better way.Also,the writer further added that the peace deal is almost over now,as it has become known that Maulana has been sending those anonymous,threatening letters to offices,and such type of places work places,forcing them to follow his commands.now it is worth mentioning that the writer has not mentioned any source of information.Also he has not made it clear as to when which incident happened.
I can speak on this issue myself,cause I have been somewhat in touch with this issue,thorough newspapers,television,and im also aware of the general public opinion about the whole saga.Life in Swat has always been peaceful until recently when we began hearing that due to Maulana Fazlullah’s harsh,subjugating attitude,government is getting against them and are planning an action against him and his supporters.In my opinion,Maulana Fazlullah has been trying to preach the beautiful religion Islam in a totally wrong way.The manner,the way which he has adopted to preach is in no way effective,and obviously wont be acceptable to ayone.No one would follow Islam they way he tells them to,because he is not teaching it in the right way to the common man.Islam,no doubt,is the most beautiful religion.Islam,literally means “peace”.The Holy Quran was revealed on Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W.W.) 1400 years ago.When somebody wants to convince any particular person,they can not do so until they give any conclusive point to support their argument.There is no way that the other person gets convinced by his heart,if he is told to follow it otherwise he’ll be punished.the same is the case with Islam,it cannot be taught by force.Maulana should have tried to preach by carrying on his struggle for Islam by giving sermons t o the common people so as to convince them,instead giving undue threats.
The administration has not dealed the issue nicely.They should have told him an alternate way of preaching,instead of just taking away the radio station from him and then sitting idle.They should have told how h should be teaching the common people.International power-horses, USA and UK’s anti-muslim policies,or so they look like,have spread anger and hatred for the government who supports these countries just to protect itself from any action by these powerful countries.This has strenghthened the roots of extremism in our country and made it possible for such uneducated clerics to use young people and make them carry out activities which are wrong,in the name of Islam. Islam in no way allows such heinous acts.
Ulema should come forward,and make dialogues with Maulana Fazlullah.We should educate such clerics so they know what theyre doing wrong.Also people should be literate enough,so they know the difference between right and wrong,and so that they dont fall into the hands of such clerics.
salam!
According to me, this article has highlighted the growing terrorism activities in pakistan.
In this situation ,no one single is responsible for the whole issue but still i think the main cause is that mualana Fazullah is trying to enforce Islam.As far as i know ,islam is not a religion to be forced.islam is not what they (mualana,talibaan or whoever) are trying to teach people today.The only point i got is that all this is happening because of the mis-conception about islam.It is a duty of every muslim to preach islam but there should be a proper way.and what ever is happening in sawat is obviously not a proper way.There can be many other ways to make people realize that they are getting away from islam instead of forcing , torturing and killing them.Islam is a religion of peace and should be preached with peace.
Secondly, the whole situation is getting worse because of the non-concerning attitude of the government .
Mualana will not do anything and even the government is not doing anything so , the only option left is that the sawati people should come out on streets for protest to save thier valley and culture.
Government should take action about what is happening in sawat and should resolve the crisis as early as possible.
i personaly think that the activities occuring in SWAT are being caused by the agencies of Pakistan.No doubt the afghans who migrated to swat after the war have tried there level best to impose there so called relgion named islam,i would call it extremism of islam.now one should ponder that who can bare such brutal behaviour this long and never retaliate in an affective manner and time and again be a victim.so this has forced me to think that the government of pakistan and the people of SWAT are in agreement to keep on doing this to keep the people scared,ciaotic and involved and force them to think that the government is doing there level best to make it better and in return there sucking there blood out and using there basic rights,the right of freedom and integrity.
Honestly, i had no idea whatsoever about the situation in swat.Reading this article and the one written by mr. khadim hussain has really shook me down to the bone. I did a little reading of my own and the more i read about the issue the more depressed i felt. What different would be da lives of common citizens of swat be from kashmiris.How pathetic is that.we blame the situation of Kashmir on Indians and believe that it’s situation would have been far better if it could be a part of Pakistan. Swat’s situation or the situation in any other part of the any country is govt’s responsibility. what is being done by the govt to control the sitiuation??
Swat once used to be called Pakistan’s answer to Switzerland and would draw a large number of tourists, especially from within the country, but v know now that has all changed. It has fallen to the extremists and large swathes of it seem as if they are in the control of Taliban sympathisers. The imposition of a rigid literalist version of Islam which has taken place in the tribal areas has found its way into Swat as well.
Daily jhang on 4th Oct quotes ” Barbers have been ordered not to shave beards, shops selling CDs and music cassettes have been ordered closed and bombed and the valley has its own maverick mullah — Fazlullah is his name and he happens to be Maulana Soofi Mohammad’s (of Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi fame) brother-in-law who apparently rides a black horse and has thousands of followers willing to attack security forces on his command. He has also been labeled the FM maulana because his popularity has apparently come in large part because of the FM radio channel he operates — without permission, of course — in the area. In recent months, he was in the news after he told his followers not to let their children be administered polio drops because that was an American-Zionist plan to make them sterile.”
Why is government acting a silent spectator ?? The advance of Talibanisation has to be strongly resisted by the local population as well and in this civil society groups can play a role, but only if the federal and provincial governments take the lead in tackling the militancy.
People living in Swat are pakistanis!!! What are other pakistanis doing about there condition??How can any particular man or group force our ppl…US!!..to do what they think is right??!
How can v alow anyone to corrupt our religion and then force US ta practise it?? Does Quran allows such actions??? Are these peaple really muslims?? Millions of questions can be raised to this issue..but who has the answers?? Can there be any answers??
i think not in Swat but in all over the world we[MUSLIMS] have been tortured badly by the muslims who want to spead Islam by force. Our prophet[P.B.U.H] teaches us to spead religion through peace.
Swat once used to draw a large number of tourists, especially from within the country, but v know now that has all changed. It has fallen to the extremists and large swathes of it seem as if they are in the control of Taliban sympathisers.
if one to cut his bear or do any thing against islam we just can tell him or her but we can not force him or her to do against it.
i think our govt. needs to do well there, it shoould not be a silent spectator , it is responsible for our protection so it has to work properly and bravely to do well there and also maulana fazlullah shoud use some sense and should folow the golden rules set by our holy prophet [P.B.U.H].
Why is government acting a silent spectator ?? The advance of Talibanisation has to be strongly resisted by the local population as well and in this civil society groups can play a role, but only if the federal and provincial governments take the lead in tackling the militancy.
The situation in swat infact throuhout the country is very bad and disappointing.We are not following our leaders which gave us a country to implement Islam freely and we are not obeying our true values, religious ethics and the purpose for what we earned this independent state. We rely on miracles rather than doing each every step carefully and honestly. We should follow Islam and pass our lives according to our relegion rather than by spreading teerorism in the country.
I think civil society can still play a vital role to check the situation by forming street based vigilant commettees and taking the non-puritanic mullahs in confidence.
sir i like ur work on swat i would love to know conplete detail of what is going on in swat and y????????????/
we ve heard a lot in tv but i want detail as near as to truth. t
thanks saqib
The problem of extremism has now reached a frightening level. The silence of the authorities and the conspicuous dread of the locality has created a predicament far worse than any faced before by any part of Pakistan. As the article states, the entire area is run on constant threats by a group of extremists who have a so called motive to invoke sharia’a in the society. One can justify these actions in regard to our religion and its teachings, but to involve violence and extreme measures is purely unjust and severe.
The locality is in complete disarray as there is no response to the condition by the local authorities. The matter is also not included in the major issues of Pakistan, though its importance is quite impressing.
The writer throws light on this issue and brings it to attention in a completely unbiased and a preferable way. This helps us think in an impartial way and allows us to post neutral ideas on the board.
The other problem mentioned is the role of media. Maulana fazulullah, who broadcasts a channel on FM, is one of the source who propagates extreme ideas in the minds of people. The female population is denied the right of freedom as they are restricted to their homes and forced to wear the veil from head to toe. CD shops are threatened to be burned down if they are not forced to close. Cable is banned and people have no choice but to receive information from the sources propagating extreme ideas.
The once beautiful valley of swat is now stained with a disturbing propaganda which not only creates unrest in the local population but also keeps away foreigners from visiting this heavenly land. If this issue is not resolved soon enough, then this problem may spread the entire nation like an uncontrollable fire.
The situation of the Swat Valley as mentioned by the writer of this article seems to be in a state of great dismay. No one in the federal capital seems to be aware of the situation or I should say, worried about the increasing influence of the so called local Taliban. But one thing to note is that the writer hasn’t mentioned the source of his knowledge neither has he given any hint that he has personally visited this area located in the north of Pakistan.
If the writer is relying on the media (print or electronic) for his data, I believe that the news provided in any media channel or newspapers are never exact. They always twitch and turn the story in order to attract more and more people. Like the matter of the whole market of CD shops being burned out by the extremists may be in reality a single shop which to attract more attention has been converted into a whole market.
But even this information is correct to some extent it is a very worrisome matter for the entire state because such behavior can never be restricted to a limited area, it is always bound to spread. And if analyzed logically this situation doesn’t look far from reality, considering the tribal nature of this entire area. The Taliban which has spread in Pakistan after the invasion of Afghanistan by the Allied forces is trying to establish itself in the northern and tribal areas of Pakistan. And they must have had enough time when the attention of the entire nation was converted on the sensitive issue of Lal Masjid and in the mean time these local Taliban have not only spread in many areas of Pakistan but also established themselves firmly and have started to struggle for what they call the “Islamic Shari a”. To shut down schools, cut people off from media, force people to wear local dress, is all the same that they have already done in Afghanistan and if the government of Pakistan does not attend to this issue, this situation will grow worse and worse and in coming time we could also be possibly facing situations which the people of Afghanistan have been facing for the last 20 years.
SALAM , i am here in swat sonce my birth mean i am swati . what i am seeing here in this era is the terriable and the crucial time for us. i can speak on this issue myself,cause I have been somewhat in touch with this issue,thorough newspapers,television,and im also aware of the general public opinion about the whole saga.Life in Swat has always been peaceful until recently when we began hearing that due to Maulana Fazlullah’s harsh,subjugating attitude,government is getting against them and are planning an action against him and his supportersSwat the beautifull land and will equiped from nutural resorces , the pure water and the green landscape attreack people not from the country but also from the rest of world . But sudden the terrisiom got a major place and then army. I know that to solve the recent problem by force army is the right solution but still i havent seen army in their full swing they are killing the innocent people not a single TALIB .What is this i dont understand so stop this full fool game . Where is the army rule DO OR DIE, they surrendraing to MULANA FAZALUULAH and in reward get his fare to go back . eitheir a single person told me that why a an armed and equiped army taking such a fool and rubbish decision to surrender.
What it comes down to is that I have no answers, but I am old enough to know this: nothing lasts forever. I have lived to see the break down of the U.S.S.R., one of the former super-powers of the world. I have lived to see revolutionary changes all around the world. How do we overcome terrorists? By keeping our dreams and values alive through our children. Sometimes we are permitted to live long enough to see sweeping positive social and political changes. Other times, while closed to us, it is our children who can pass through those doors.
I deeply regret the state of terror presently sweeping through Swat. My prayers are with my LAND but SWAT special.
Following questions i will attempt to anwser. There are a few very important questions that need to be raised in the wake of a fast deteriorating situation in the valley Swat. Q. Who is a beneficiary of the currently prevailing situation in the valley?
A. The people of Swat Valley are definitely not benefiting. If we are blaming the taliban, they are also neither benefitting. Cos we are humans. And we all love peace/our families/friends. We all want to work. But if we take up arms, because we feel threatened/attacked. And if the taliban have picked up arms. Then what circumstances led them to do this?
Q. and who is losing a lot in the process?
It’s not only the people of Swat Valley. It’s Pakistan that is losing. The Goverment cannot allow external elements like America & Britian to dictate policies. Peace & harmony has to be provided by the Goverment of Pakistan
Q. Is the present wave a continuation of the situation witnessed in the 1990’s in the valley?
A. If you look at the makes of the weapons in the hands of the Taliban. They are made in US/Britian/ Germany. And if these countries are providing WMDs. Then the factories that make these weapons should be closed. As long as these countries make weapons and trade them to earn their dollars, they will make sure that no peace prevails.
Q. Is the present situation the ultimate consequence of a tribal interpretation of Islam?
A. Why are we constantly blaming the tribal people. they have their own individualistic existence. They have their own land. Then who gives America & britian the right to enter their land and siphon the Oil that lies under their lands.
Q. Is it the consequence of state security paradigm? Is it the consequence of Afghan war? What could be the probable internal and external factors involved in the radicalization of a once liberal people of the valley?
A. It’s America / Britian’s War to access Oil that lies under the land of the people of Pakistan/afghanistan/Central Asia
i wish to learn from the Author is swat a social, religious or ethnic conflict?
Is it Yes written interesting, but continuation will?