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.
Thank you for sharing such knowledge and your keen observations on such issues.
Until I read this, I did not understand: While the majority of people in a given region claim not to belong to the extremist sects, the extremists seemed to control the entire populace. It appears to be a reign of terror, and the fear of bloodshed and devastation seems to hold entire regions hostage. I can answer the question, “to what end/ what do they (extremists) hope to gain”, but that answer will not contribute to a peaceful resolution, or end the cycle of terror and fear.
Individuals most susceptible to extremist views are usually intelligent and once held power or sway over others. Some held this ‘power’ because they were charismatic individuals, some by station of birth, others may have won political offices by popular vote, and others were/ are the heads of religious congregations and communities. What they have in common is a loss of power, or at the very least, deep frustrations in attaining their goals. Some were always frustrated and helpless until their affiliation with the group gave them the power they were formerly denied, but like within any other form of social structure, they are the workers, not the leaders. (They wield the torches and fire bullets. The targets are chosen by the leadership.)
Extremist have a sense of power. Their control over large numbers of people through fear and intimidation holds their sense of frustration and helplessness at bay. Sad to say, it truly is no different than the strangle hold that violent gangs hold over inner city communities within the U.S.A. They are not the first violent thugs to caim that God or Allah is their guide. Claims to a Holy War make the deaths and destruction no less evil either in their intent or by their design. While this may help explain ‘why’, it brings us no closer to a solution.
Solutions require fixing the social and political conditions that allowed these extremists entryway into our social fabric to begin with. It requires building a sustainable health care system, increasing revenues, building infrastructures, and judicial and law enforcement systems that the majority can support. It requires a trust that is not present in the face of feelings of helplessness and frustration, and certainly not in the face of terrorism and intimidation. The only other immediate answer requires popular support: standing up as a community to extremists and terrorists. If one business is blown up, open the same business a block away., again and again. This solution is not socially acceptable as it may call for more deaths and destruction than any community is willing to endure.
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 you.
Mr. Khadim Hussain has drawn the past history-skitch, cultural tendencies and political outlook of Swat valley and people living therein up to the mark in these few lines. What disturbs mind is that through out the past history, people of differnet religions have lived with the local population in complete harmony, even Hindus and Sikhs lead their lives with absolute religious freedom and economic prosperity and abruptly the whole scene changes. This is not the case only with the Swat valley rather existed in whole of the area called Malakand Division; Dir, Buner and Malakand.
As for the questions of Khadim Hussain are concerned that “There are a few very important questions that need to be raised in the wake of a fast deteriorating situation in the valley Swat. Who is a beneficiary of the currently prevailing situation in the valley, and who is losing a lot in the process? Is the present wave a continuation of the situation witnessed in the 1990’s in the valley? Is the present situation the ultimate consequence of a tribal interpretation of Islam? 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?”, its very obvious that so-called State security paradigm is behind the whole state of affairs. This hollow theory is for no other reason but to take illegitimate benefits of the situation in Afghanistan at the cost of our people. Looking the chain of events in recent few years unfolds the whole drama; FM radio channels were made popular all of a sudden and the further process was matter of days. It is unintelligible and unconvincing that such abrupt change may happen in such like societies.
How one can ask ISI and military rulers of Pakistan for perpetrating such atrocities and how one would tolerate seeing our elders like Afzal Khan Lala blood stained in eighty years of age. May be a blood revolution.
One of my friends who work in MRDP, a development Project, told me that details in a threatening letter from the so-called Taliban of Swat showed that it is a game of ISI and other related agencies. Except a few supporters of maulana Fazlullah around Maam Dheri village I don’t think he enjoys any public support. The NGOs, the enlightened and educated youth and general public from majority of population of district Swat resent the situation but they find themselves helpless because of a possible mishap from these shadowy Talibans.
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.
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).
I think that Maulana Fazalullah should be kept behind the bars or should be given a way to Afghanistan where he could very successfully run such a radio station
The nexus between economic marginalisation and radicalism is well known. In Dir and Swat, the youth see few prospects of achieving even a modest measure of prosperity in life because of the lack of economic opportunity. They thus become easy prey to manipulation by individuals who divert their frustration towards the ‘morally corrupt’ system and individuals running the system, who are held to be responsible for their plight. The factor that further excerbates the situation in these areas is that both these districts were semi-independent states in the recent past, and as such enjoyed far greater prosperity, in human terms, at the time. The integration of these states into Pakistan has not benefitted the ordinary person in any significant way but has taken away the priveleges (free education and basic healthcare, among others) they enjoyed previously.
There can be no other means to combat this growing radicalisation of the youth of these regions except through economic empowerment. The pathway is absolutely clear. Tourism is the primary economic resource of this region.There is a need to support tourism in both these districts through tourist projects that involve the common people. Investment in this sector has mainly come through the private sector and is restricted to the development of tourist transport and accomodation mainly in urban areas. The common folk thus, have not benefitted much from the substantial domestic tourist inflows that take place during the summer months. Government should provide resources to ordinary people to enable them to provide a wide range of tourist services in the rural areas at more economical rates than the urban areas, in terms of accomodation and food, which is, indeed is the requirement of our average local tourist family. A survey carried out by the Ministry of Tourism in early eighties clearly showed Swat as the destination of choice of the average domestic tourist family in Pakistan .This family was profiled as belonging to central Punjab, comprising of 5 members and travelling by road, through both, public and private transport. The average daily expenditure of this family was around Rs.250-350 at that time, that corresponds to about Rs.1500-2000 today. Most of this investment can be diverted to the rural areas as direct investment if we can develop a rural tourist infrastructure.Tourism is a service industry that, more than most, provides employment to the young, both boys and girls. It is also the best form of investment as it can be channeled to benefit individuals and families directly.
Agreed that the radicals will hit at all development in Tourism as the recent attack on PAITHOM has shown. But we also know that when there is a regular flow of income to individuals or groups, the stake on maintaining that flow will take precedence over their other commitments. And to ensure that tourists keep coming, the people themselves would help keep complete peace in their areas.
Dear Khadim,
I am in London for couple of months, since Sep.10. Let me tell you honestly, leaving country, physically, did nt help. It rather made my plight more miserable. You know, when one is in far off places, away from the landscape of murders and state driven disappearances…living in more human surrounding…one starts realizing the gap more intensely. The emancipated life an ordinary westerner leads when compared with the multiple inhuman chains our citizens are subjected to, only adds to anguish.
People here, believe that global agenda of the imperialist North (dominantly non- Muslim-capitalist) is to present Muslims societies as demonic creatures with barbaric orientations and savage instincts so that their gradual extermination or distortion through instruments like NATO in Afghanistan is supported by their own tax payers.
In this well conceived play, Mullahs are the most handy tools that are deployed by the think tanks of the ‘civilized’ metropols of North to further their dual agendas. One part of this agenda is completed through non elected regimes and other part is highlighted by so called funded civil society and still an other part is acooplished with the help of clergies. We have plenty of willing accomplices in all three sectors.
I do not see a simple, easy and imminent solution to the quagmire we all are in. We have to live with it or find individual exits. As Camus put “either cut your throat like a dog or live in the desert and create”.
I, however, appreciate your concerns with rapidly deteriorating situation in Swat valley and value your efforts to end it.
Sorry friends, if my uttarances seem cynic, nevertheless from my vintage point this is how it looks.
Warm regards. And cheers if you can. Tariq
Well, how cliched would it sound if one assumes that Fazal is another Rashid Ghazi-in-making! Sadly, every deal in Pakistan gives birth to another Rashid Ghazi. The Sawat deal suggests the district adminstration’s inability to ably grapple with the issue of extremism. It is these deals due to which, according to a recent report by a US think-tank, Osama Bin Laden is more popular than General Musharraf in Pakistan [ I know you would be laughing aloud at my 'stupid comparsion' of a 'fighter of Islam' and a lam duck dictator].
Weeding out extermists becomes more demanding when these militants enjoy some amount of popularity among the local people. Reasons? Simple: The state has not been able to reach its people as affectively as the militants in thier respective efforts to do something for the ‘welfare’ of the local people. Obviously, we would be contesting on the defination of actual ‘ welfare’.
The reason why Fazal is superceding the state is because the process of issuing ‘ passports-that-lead-to-paradise’ at his place is much faster than the official machinary’s ability to reach the local communities and work for their welfare.
we the proud inheritors and citizens of gandhara valley – that taught peace, love and tolerence in 500 bc is at the cultural / political / milatary crossroads – where our identity, pukhtoonwali, the code of the pathans and its enlightened message is being denied to us in this so called ‘war against terror’ waged by two world renowned terrorists: name ly George BUsh – a black spot on world history – a disgrace to our generation and will be remembered in the league of halaku and ghenghhis khan in his ruthlessness and destruction of our lands , our customs and our peaceful world.
maulvi fazzullah and other clowns are implanted by the intelligent agencies of pakistan army to create dissensions and divisions and erupt war amongst the protagonists – so that they have an excuse to fall in for Peace keeping – and then occupy the pristine lands and mountains and water resources for their nefarious plans.
the other side is as murky and hidden like all CIA files are after 30 years when they come to light and it shows what horrible crimes they have committed against their own allies and supporters to win the wars and strategic goals. humans and rights do not matter in this power intriques and games
this seems to be our fate when we have one dictator selected for Pakistan – under whose command a pukhtoon has been pitted against fellow pukhtoon with divergent ideologies and made to fight this turf war in the beautiful valleys and landscapes of pukhtoonkhwa.
in the end nothing will remain the lands will be all turned into ashes and the beautiful peaceloving people of the land will be either killed or transported to another refugee camp or some bantustans of squalar and destitution what the US Empitre has mastered in all continents: middle east, africa, south america, east asia and now it is our turn to submit to UNCLE SAMs dictates to bow our heads to be counted and rolled. perhaps the greek tragedy that is going to erupt in the end it going to spell the end of imperialism in this region at the very big cost of indegenous and invaders blood. we are ready to give the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and sovergnty. it shall be no easy victory for the invaders!
We could focus our discussion on three levels:
1- The general and specific reasons of the malaise
2- The role of the government, state institutions, and international power-brokers in the perpetuation of a reign of terror
3- The role of the civil socitey, political parties and religious class to end the the reign of fear in the valley
Dear Khadim Hussain
You are doing a great job, being non Swati. I think why the Swati people are not getting out on streets just for simbolic protest, why are the law inforcing agencies silent on the sitution and the govt itself? these are the questions which made the situation more tense. The government is responsible of all these things and killing of innocent civilians as will as law inforcing agencies personals. As the process of Awami Jirga started but the idea was not further proceeded and now there is no counter forum to represent the pucblic opinon in this situaiton, lets start it agin if possible.
Thanks
Salim Ahmad
HUJRA Swat
“There are a few very important questions that need to be raised in the wake of a fast deteriorating situation in the valley Swat. Who is a beneficiary of the currently prevailing situation in the valley, and who is losing a lot in the process? Is the present wave a continuation of the situation witnessed in the 1990’s in the valley? Is the present situation the ultimate consequence of a tribal interpretation of Islam? 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?”
Mr Khadim Hussain has done a good job in articulating a few questions to try to explain the current situation. One could right at the outset say that most of the questions asked have had a contribution – to varying degrees except the one which is constantly being drummed about by the state media to malign the Pakhtuns – “the consequence of a tribal interpretation of Islam” as Mr Khadim Hussain puts it. Tribalism has existed for millenia but radicalism is not associated with it. Islam and the tribal culture have co-existed together for long long time.
The fact of the matter is that it has all been a consequence of the failure of the state of Pakistan….some by ommision but more so by commission. Consider the folowing:
a. State has failed over more than half a decade to establish a system of government where all the citizen can participate for their good.
b. State has failed to introduce laws and even to enforce the laws that existed to regulate affairs of the area
c. State has failed to develop the economy of the area
d. State has failed to develop the infrastructure which brings in the associated things like trade, buisness, tourism etc….
e. State fails to provide education or health facilities
These just a few ommisions…………………but now see the commissions!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a. State actively encourages exremism by giving influence to the clergy through state policies
b. State allows radicals to estyablish madrassas and seminaries with foreign money
c. State encourages local youth to enrol for Jihad in Afghanistan and Kashmir
d. State allows the religious parties to hold sway but prevent other political parties
e. State allows hate to be incarporated in the syllabi of even mainstream public education system
f. State closes eyes to radicals gaining ground even till today by arranging deals with extremists…
Now as to who benefits??????????????????????????????? Off course not the people of the area.
Dear Khadim Hussain, when a system faces such enormous challenge, we can not attribute it to a single phenomenon or factor. The prevailing security paradigm may, though responsible for this decline, the decay in social, political and economic system provides the stuff that eccelarates the process of destuction. For instance, this is the ugly poverty and the blind justice system which provides the easy and cheap manpower to this reactionnery phenomenon. The apparent actors who are acting as pawns on some one else’s chess board. Specifically, a question arises: Why is the wave of militancy dominates in the areas where khanism ruled the roost in the past?
Terrorism as a phenomena shows adaptation of set of objectives, targets and groups to take responsibility of the activities carried out for a particular cause. There is no any such thing available in case of Swat. Civil Society of the region responded to the impending danger in a civilized manner by arranging activities like peace mushairah and peace jirgahs. It was indeed a manifestation of its activism and vibrancy to resort to dialogue measures to utilize available options for ensuring peace. On the other hand a failure on the part of state institutions to adopt preventive measure in time.
Projection of Islam in militant manner may cause great damage to the religion itself by destroying its true and peaceful image worldwide. Pukhtoons are the affected people in the region and among them inhabitants of those areas where it is being played are the worst affected ones. The precarious situation is contributing to the ever increasing gap between the state and its citizens.
The beneficiaries of this precarious situation may be those who are trying to create lawlessness in the region or to benefit from the state of lawlessness. There may be a number of interests groups ranging from national to the international levels seeking their own objectives due to the geo-strategic location of the region. So for the clergy is concerned, it may lose more in the long run although short term gains may be achieved. The clergy having experienced the taste of power and authority during the last five years in the shape of provincial governments in two provinces 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.
Islam provided strength to the traditional tribal structure during the era before and during the period of Swat state. The clergy had assumed a due place with in that system and it depended on the society equipped with its own system of check and balances in place, which has totally changed with the inflow of funds from abroad. It is in fact true that the remainants of the nineties found expression in the present precarious situation as they felt deceived then by the unfulfilled promise of implementation of Shariah. It is interesting to note that the uprising in the nineties was not indigenous itself and was maneuvered by the state or its functionaries for their personal interests. The same is true with present situation which is not above the board.
State may not lose its power if responsible institutions behave purposefully. The inhabitants of the region share ethnic, cultural and religious ties with people of Afghanistan and suffering of Afghans are equally felt by the people in this area.
There is a sense of deprivation among the inhabitants of the region. There may be external factors but equally important are the internal factors responsible for this sense of deprivation. A large part of the population is illiterate and is having no expectation of their coming generation to attain quality education in the present education system. Poverty is increasing fast, giving way to disparities and more deprivation in the absence of a system of evenhanded justice, once practiced in the region.
“We could focus our discussion on three levels:
1- The general and specific reasons of the malaise
2- The role of the government, state institutions, and international power-brokers in the perpetuation of a reign of terror
3- The role of the civil socitey, political parties and religious class to end the the reign of fear in the valley”
Mr Khadim Hussain……………I think that is a much better approach………..to go about this debate
General reasons………..there are multitudes of them and we have been discussing these in detail; State governance failure, state’s manipulation, lack of economic growth, poverty, social breakdown, effects of the Afghan situation and the percieved state security paradigm among others
However it is the specific reasons that we need to focus on……………….since all of the above things to varying degrees exist even in other areas as well..for example interior Sindh and Balochistan………..I feel we need to look further out into the phenomena….One of the major reason in my opinion is the existance of MMA Govt in NWFP for the last 5 years which has had devastating effects on the situation…How could the MMA govt act against their idelogical mates/friends and prospective vote bank like the clergy of the type of Fazalullah and company? Why wouldn’t they encourage these acts to gain more influence over the masses and gain a blackmailing influence in the political field? After all doesn’t Fazalur Rehman publicly say that ..if someone wants to control the Taliban in Afghanistan they should talk to us!!!!!!!!!!!Isn’t it the MMA legislators etc who are negotiating with the so called militants in Waziristran and elsewhere???????? Doesn’t it give them an immense leverage in the Pakistani state..particularly with the powerful military? So here is one group of people who are the benefeciaries……………………..
The next beneficiary……………what about the state and its military institutions……….more trouble..more dollars from the west…ensured political support and ascedency at the centre..particularly if they can control the tempo????????? How many Punjabies have you heard being killed in the trouble??????????Its all Pakhtun blood on both sides that is being spilled.
Moreover………..through this the state has effectively neutralised any voice for democracy,autonomy, control of resouirces, openness to the world and a share in the riches being spent in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi……………No peace No investment No Economy ……………..Who keeps the money???????????????? He is the beneficiary
Thirdly look at the geography………access to China, Central Asia………………….who benefits if the region is at trouble? China???????????????????????? May be USA is also a beneficiary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
More later
It’s a sad story actually, as this wave of right wing narrowmindedness has taken the people of the valley in its grasp. I may have gained sensible consciousness in the early nineties, but I do remember this country without such ruthless attempts of enforcing opinions. I once read somewhere “A fanatic is someone who redoubles his efforts when he loses sight of the cause.” Sadly, signs of doublethink are blasphemic to their ideologies. Looking back at history, it was the JUI and the Jamaat-e-Islaami that opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947 deeming it as an ‘unislamic’ partition. It’s surprising to see how their loyalties have swayed.
Faith is something that can never be enforced. History saw it with the enforcement of veils in Iran by Ayatollah Khomeni which resulted in nothing but an internal rebellion waiting to erupt. They have lost all knowledge of equilibrium in society. Even in today’s newspaper, I read about some local Taliban in the Frontier Province threatening to destroy historical buddhist shrines along the Malam Jabba Road. They paint society with intolerance and hate in the name of Islam/Peace.
Ancient tales have always talked of order rising out of mass disorder. That I’m afraid seems to be our only hope. A rebellion struggling to restore balance and tolerance within ourselves needs to rise. As a people of this state, we talk and criticize yet do nothing. Our hope lies in our efforts alone. If we think our problems will be solved by some Godsent messiah, we are sadly mistaken….
First of all Islam is religion of peace and it should be spread with peace not with terror and forcefully.The local non muslim organizations or such institutions should not be forced to deviate from their norms.The literacy rate of women must be increased.In last, i would say thats not the right way to spread a peaceful religion Islam by burning shops and forcing people.
AOA!
The cause,i think,is that maulana fazlullah is trying to enforce islam on others by force,which is obviously not acceptable to anyone,thus creating panic. Also govt. and administration could ot handle this issue very well and they let the situation go worse because of their inefficient attitude.There should be a better way to make people realize that they are not following the basic principles of islam.obviously the way maulana sahab adopted was not very efficient.
After some critical thinking I come to know that the writer is primarily working on getting people focus on some real tense problem i.e “militancy in swat”.Writer is trying to get maximum sympathese of the reader,won’t mean that the matter of discussion is wrong or fake.It’s his style to proof a fact.
Is the present wave a continuation of the situation witnessed in the 1990’s in the valley? Is the present situation the ultimate consequence of a tribal interpretation of Islam? 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?”
The above paragraph is about the writer belief the these may be the reasons behind the story.But it’s just his openion,mine is also the same in this regard.According to my awareness these areas of Pakistan are suffering from this disease ,I would say,from long ago which must be stopped because if it goes like that these beauties of Pakistan remain behind and can play no part in countries development.
Writer according to me should achieve his goal by stating the proof like:
The local media publishes the anonymous letters full headlines while the rare response from the common people to the edicts of the anonymous letters is not even given any space in the local media.
On the whole writer is doing good job in awakening the authorities those are responsible,mean to say those who could stop this kind of militancy act.
I think it’s a very sad situation in swat and there are actually many questions that has to be raised.
Is Maulana Fazalullah responsible or the government ?Now first come Maulana sahib;he did not good at all.Because one should not be forcefully implement Islam on people.People should have the right to led the life according to their own will. Islam means “Peace” so Maulana and their activists treat others peacefully not forcefully.
On the other hand;government is responsible for all the violence and killing of innocent civilians.Lastly i must say that governmnt and other authorities should take notices of fear in the swat valley
I think that this whole scenario is made by the law in forcing agencies personals to divert the attention of people to this issue and they can easily fulfill their requirement regarding other issues of government.
I totally blame the government and the law in forcing agencies for this whole scenario. The government and law in forcing agencies are silent on the situation because they made this situation themselves. The government is responsible of all these things and killing of innocent civilians as well as law in forcing agencies personals. Because of the poor governance they put the beautiful valley of Swat to this situation.
I think that civil society, political parties and religious class dose not play any role regarding to this issue because they are all busy in their own thoughts. They not only know that they are elected by the people of their own area to fulfill their requirement. But when they come in power they forget their promises with the poor people and the people suffer.
Sir you are doing a great job to inform us about the present situation in the valley of Swat. But why the Swati people who are suffering from these crises are not getting out on streets for symbolic protest. At the end we people have to solve this problem.
After reading all that text i came to know that there is not just a single factor affecting the situation in Swat valley. The greatest contributor of creating this scene is our former President General Zia-ul-Haq who with the help of America build-up Taliban. Those Taliban think that they can bring back the Islamii Shariiaa in all muslim countries, using any means.Secondly, it is the Government of Pakistan, whose is not giving the rights of Northern Areas including Swat valley, creating a situation of restlessness among the people of that region against the Government and are accepting aids from foreign agencies and working against Pakistan(in the name of Islam).Another aspect may be the less knowledge of Islam, which lacks in all Muslims around the globe, attracting them towards those people who talk about Islam and Shariaa.
To make this situation calm there are a few tough jobs to do. These includes a better knowledge about Islam among the masses, support of Government to the people of Swat valley and putting the troops on border and not allowing any afghan to enter in Pakistan. There is no sense in putting our own Army against our own people. May Allah bring peace to our homeland, Pakistan.
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
I think,in my opinion it’s a very sad situation in swat and there are actually many questions that has to be raised.To make this situation to end up in peace there are a few tough jobs to do.These can include some peaceful soution through peaceful negogiations among the leaders of the ruling party of swat and the extremists.Islam is a religion of peace and harmony,it doesnot teaches us the lesson of forcefulness.It teaches us to be as calm and as humble as possible.One cannot preach Islam forcefully and this is the major reason of unrest in swat these days.The extremists are forcefully trying to preach Islam which is morally and ethically wrong and cannot succeed in their goals.I think Pakistan is one of those countries in which people are not socially interacted with each other.They dont care about anything of wat so ever is hapening in their neighbours.They are least bothered about others because here everyone is living for his ownself.So same goes for the political and social parties in swat,they are busy with their own deeds and they are happy with that because itz not hapening with their family members.after reading this article it is clear that government isnt playing any role to resolve this issue,rather it is going worst day by day as we hear in news and from other sources.It is a big game being played by the law enforcing agencies and other government offices in which they have made the religious and civil parties to be quite and because of this they are unable to give their own verdict.Unfortunately this is our worst case that whenever the civil society of Pakistan or the common people of Pakistan want to give their verdict or want to live according to the teachings given by Quaid-E-Azam,they are forcefully pushed into these situations so that they get busy in hiding their lives and the government can easily do watever it wants to.This practice is being done since the day Pakistan was born.In the end i jus want to say that it is totally government’z planned mission and other international agencies which have been playing a major role of unrest in Pakistan since very long.May ALLAH bless our country and we can live happily and according to our own needs.
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD….
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 main reason of depression, what i understand is irresponsibility of the government. It’s the duty of the government to take care of all these issues.
The role of government is nothing in all this scenario.Our government only knows how to remain in power like one said “Every country has its own ARMY but our ARMY has its own country”, and thats why the people like MAULANA FAZLULLAH think that they can only change the whole country or whatever. Its infact the duty of Maulana to tell people how to live in an ISLAMIC country or one can say that he can give his opinions but he is not supposed to implement it on others forcefully.Now, whoever is on wrong side Maulana or govt. or the people, the thing is that its damage or loss of the citizens which is very shameful and thats what writer wants us to think about, but i guess that the agencies and the other parties are so strong now a days that a common man cannot fight against them.
In my view, this article has explained the roots of growing terrorism activities in swat .Closing of electronic media,publishing of terror filled messages in local newspapers ,closing of missionary schools and forcing the girls to wear head to toe veil in schools ,is it what islam tells us? ,No definitely not.Islam is a religion of peace.It allows freedom of expression in some given limits .NO RELIGION TEACHES VIOLENCE AND MAKE IT’S FOLLOWERS TERRORISTS. .Some people are spreading fear and terror in the hearts and minds of people of swat,infact the feelings and emotions of people of swat have been hijacked by these extremists.The question arises that can we eliminate terrorism or destroy the terrorists. It is well known that violence begets violence,so use of force is invain. Like headache, terrorism is a symptom and not the disease.Science and logic teach us “Cause and Effect.” Terrorism is the effect. We need to look into the cause or causes of Terrorism..The remedy of this problem is that the government should intervene and negotiate with these people who are spreading the violence and the so called war on terror must be managed in a way that our army must not kill our own nationals, this has created hatred in the hearts and minds of muslims .There is no rule of law in swat ,all political parties and the district management is sleeping because they think that these people (terrorists) are funded by some foreign forces and will defeat them . I cant understand why the prestigious Think Tanks sitting in islamabad do not look into the causes of Terrorism and shape the Foreign Policy of Pakistan .
In absent of national coherence in Pakistan, political Islam is the ONLY means at their disposal for enduring the life of state. Thus naturally Pakistan creates and support terrorist in shape of Taliban, Mullah/Mullahna X, Y and Z and naturally Pakistan will do everything possible to radicalize Pakhtun society…for Pakistan was created for Muslims primarily of Indian cultural background based on problems and conflicts which pertained strictly with India. What did Pakhtun have anything to do with it? Absolutely Nothing! A progressive and modern Pakhtun will put Pakistan survival in danger!
This is an edifying dissertation predestined on situation in swat valley. The chronicler gives the impression to be a fanatical spectator of the state of affairs. The composition is multi toned opening is informative afterwards it changes into exclamatory and finally comes back to informative. It depicts the devastations and ruins caused in the valley in the name of creed. Inhabitants are not permitted to espouse their comfy style like wearing pants and shirts and other western dresses. Similarly women are forced to be dressed in head to toe veils. Cd shops are being shattered and smashed that’s why the vendors are leaving their businesses. Missionary schools and every other institution are receiving anonymous letters. Now the natives are abiding by these letters. Even political parties are silent over the circumstances. And these letters are published in the local news papers .yet again this is a root of dread and panic in the expanse. Now the cropping up questions is subsequent 1-Is the present wave a continuation of the situation witnessed in the 1990’s in the valley? 2-Is the present situation the ultimate consequence of a tribal interpretation of Islam? 3- Is it the consequence of state security paradigm? 4-Is it the consequence of Afghan war? 5-What could be the probable internal and external factors involved in the radicalization of a once liberal people of the valley?
However its injustices to censure Afghans and Islamic sharia only responsible for whatsoever happening in fact it’s the militants who interpret Islam wrongly. Inhabitants don’t want to know the reason behind this all destruction they just know how to blame Afghans and Islam. If Afghans were the cause then why they were not clogged right in the beginning? Why we hanged back in controlling that critical situation? Afghans might be causing destruction in one part of the world but why they are labeled for terrorism in all ruins. Even if they are involved in any such activity then researchers must observe the reason behind their turning into militants and such factors should be eliminated that turns a naive child into a terrorist because every child is born innocent it’s the surrounding that changes him either into a saint or terrorist. like it’s truly said that” it’s not nature its nurture that affects human behavior” Terrorism flourishes when people do not get their due rights or justice. Afghans may be responsible for destruction in swat valley but who is responsible for other destruction reported in the resting areas of country like murders and detonations in Karachi and some parts of Punjab. similarly Afghans were not responsible for destruction in LAL MOSQUE ISLAMABAD. Their may be some internal problems other than Islamic .To blame afghans is similar as to poison the whell. We must understand their space and so will they. And the second thing that is bugging me is that why Islam only is considered to be militant religion. Militancy is equally spread in other parts of world where Muslims don’t have their influence like in Israel. Why don’t we call them terrorists? Why our sacred places are blamed? Why do the rest of world is so inhospitable to Muslims especially afghans what i can conclude in the whole essay is that Islam and afghans are being blamed. There are some external factors and foreign agencies that are causing militancy and blaming Islam.
No doubt the present situation is a very sad scenario, the self-proclaimed militants have supposedly held hostage the people of Sawat. Saying that there thinking is totally wrong, may not be a very right, but it is a definite fact that their approach isn’t. No peaceful or sensible group pf people would ever try to impose their own-made rules on the whole society.
However the important things are the factors instigating the whole scenario. Our government’s pro-US policies, against the desire of majority of the population are one of the foremost factors leading to these miseries. Furthermore the sad fact is that a big chunk of our population is illiterate, and they are easily misguided in the name of religion.
Only peaceful teaching can mould people’s thinking for good and change things for the better. Forcing and imposing things may help things in the short-run but would aggravate the situation in the long-run.
Mr.Khadim Hussain has drawn a beautiful picture of Valley Swat. He has described the past and current situations of the region in a stunning way. But at same time he poised many questions regarding the deteriorated situations in swat.
As far as the quests are concerned, one has to investigate the root cause of the deteriorated situations in swat and other parts of the NWFP.
As a keen observer of the Pakistan’s Politics, I think one of the main and root cause to the stated situations in the region, is the US government and another is the military government of Pakistan.
After the collapse of USSR, the bipolarity of the world has changed into unipolarity, and USA emerged as a super power. She introduced the so called New World Order with the goals, to rule the world, to influence the world politics, to capture the world natural resources, and to destroy Islam by proving the Muslims as terrorists. For the stated goals the US government started a war against terror after a drama of the 9/11 incident. Making the collapse of the twin towers as pretence, she attacked on Afghanistan and killed thousands of innocent civilians. The US war against the terror is in fact a war against Islam. So this is one of the main root causes of the stated situations in the region. Another important cause is the military government of General Pervaiz Musharraf. To earn support from the super powers, the illegitimate government of Musharraf became a puppet in the hands of the USA and other super powers. US government is implementing the so called NWO in the region with the help of Pakistani agencies like ISI. So in response to the stated joint act of Bush and Mush, the infinite series of militancy have started across the region.
As far as the Anonymous letters are concerned, it’s not the act of true Muslims. Because Islam is not spread by means of sward, but by means of peace and harmony.
So I consider USA and ISI to be responsible for the deteriorated situations in the Valley Swat.
Islam is a religion of peace, and always spread with peace and accords, not by means of swords. Islam is not a terrorist religion. At present the US president Bush is the beggist terrorist, by killing millions of innocent muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. But to prove Muslims as terrorists, he has created such deteriorated situations with the help of ISI, in valley swat.
Aoa!
I think that the local government of Sawat and our federal government both are responsible for the whole situation occuring in Sawat.First of all,the question should raise that from where these militiants come?Obviously,they are not the local people of Sawat.These are the people came from the near tribal areas and from Afghanistan.Why the government allow them to come?The District Inspector General of police and District and Session Judge were on leave because they allow the militiants to create all this situation.The rit of government is very weak.
This is every Muslim’s responsibility to spread Islam but not by force.Islam should spread by peace as our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad(P.B.U.H) did. The problem is that these people have not the complete knowledge of Islam.
Our federal government is responsible because they had taken some illegal decisions and wrong actions which gives air to this type of situation.
The action taken at the Lal Masjid by our government was very wrong as it is in Islam that:
“aik musalmaan ka doosre musalmaan per hathyaar uthana kabeera gunnah hai”.
Now our government is also silent because it is responsible in giving air to all this.Our government is not implementing laws and regulations which are based on Islam. Our President himself is moving against the constitution.
When our government is not right then how we can blame on others?
Well, I think that maulana fazlullah is trying to enforce Islam on others by force which is not acceptable to by the people living there. Islam does not ask any of its follower to spread it by force.
I think the main reason behind this is that of Gen musharraf idea of fighting against terrorism. People of NWFP are religious and they are very much attached to the people of Afghanistan by culture so, when they saw their brothers being bombarded they started thinking opposite of government and in such situation people like MAULANA FAZLULLAH think that they can change the whole country by going against the government.
Aoa!
I think that the local governmentof Sawat and our federal government both for the whole situation occuring in Sawat.First of all,the question should raised that from where these militiants come?Obviously,they are not the local people of Sawat.These people came from the near tribal areas and from Afghanistan.Why the government allow them to come?The District Inspector General of Police and District and Session Judge were on leave because they are responsible for all this situation.The wit of the government is very weak.
It is every Muslim’s responsibilty to spread Islam but not by force.Islam should be spread by peace.as our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad(P.B.U.H) did.The problem is that these militiants have not the complete knowledge of Islam.
Our federal government is also responsibe for all this.Our federal government had taken illegal decisions and wrong actions and give air to all this situation.As the government had taken the Lal Masjid action which was very wrong as it is in Islam that:
“aik musakmaan ka doosre massakmaan pe hathyaar uthana kabeera gunnah hai”.
Our governments’s system is not based on the laws and regulations of Islam.Our President is always moving against the constitution.
If our government is not right then how can we blame others?
In my view, this article has explained the roots of growing terrorism activities in swat .what i understand is irresponsibility of the government. It’s the duty of the government to take care of all these issues.
The writer has surely highlighted the shameful and terrorizing behavior in swat and showed us the reason to try and stop this brutal approach with the locals. Islam is a religion of peace and harmony; it doesn’t teach us the lesson of forcefulness. It teaches us to be as calm and as humble as possible. I think Pakistan is one of those countries in which people are not socially interacted with each other. They don’t care about anything of what so ever is happening in their neighbors. The greatest contributor of creating this scene is our former President General Zia-ul-Haq who with the help of America build-up Taliban. Those Taliban think that they can bring back the Islamic Shariiaa in all Muslim countries, using any means. It is the Government of Pakistan, whose is not giving the rights of Northern Areas including Swat valley, creating a situation of restlessness among the people of that region against the Government and are accepting aids from foreign agencies and working against Pakistan(in the name of Islam).
In my view, this article has explained the roots of growing terrorism activities in swat .what i understand is irresponsibility of the government. It’s the duty of the government to take care of all these issues.
The writer has surely highlighted the shameful and terrorizing behavior in swat and showed us the reason to try and stop this brutal approach with the locals. Islam is a religion of peace and harmony; it doesn’t teach us the lesson of forcefulness. It teaches us to be as calm and as humble as possible. I think Pakistan is one of those countries in which people are not socially interacted with each other. They don’t care about anything of what so ever is happening in their neighbors. The greatest contributor of creating this scene is our former President General Zia-ul-Haq who with the help of America build-up Taliban. Those Taliban think that they can bring back the Islamic Shariiaa in all Muslim countries, using any means. It is the Government of Pakistan, whose is not giving the rights of Northern Areas including Swat valley, creating a situation of restlessness among the people of that region against the Government and are accepting aids from foreign agencies and working against Pakistan(in the name of Islam).
hi….we just read the article and our personal opinion is that the government is resposible for all this situation……
its not the duty of the so called militants to spread this evil amogst the people of swat…..as they have the right to live according to their own customs……but the problem is that the government was so neglible in this regard that they not even took a bold step to stop it……they should have done something to prevent this horrific situation……and we think that its time to take matters in to our own hands…….
This article shows emerging activities of terrorists in swat. Well I think government is doing nothing in swat that is why people like maulana is spreading such things. I totally blame government for this. Islam is a religion of peace. People like maulana are forcing people to follow Islam. But in past Islam was spread with peace not with terror. 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. Government on other hand should take notice of activities in swat.
in my view this whole scenerio is created by agencies,agencies which dont want peace b\w pak and afghanistan as in NWFP talibann are held blame for it.One should try to stop it with the help of the government,but then again one thinks if the govt itself is involved or not,because it wants to keep the public involved,terrorised and chiatic and make them think that govt is tryin there level best to end it and keep them safe
Here in this article ones gets the impression that islamic sharia is being forced onto people of swat valley. The author describes the situation in swat that people are reciving anonymous warning letters. Many TV Cabel operaters have already closed their shops due to warnings issued to them via warning letters. Many CD shops have been burnt to ashes in palwasha market. People are asked not to shave beards, women to wear head-to-toe viels. Even schools are recieving warning that they should start teaching Islamic sharia or else close down. Isnt it like living in a foriegn country where you are forced to live by the nation’s rule. We alhumdulilla live in a Islamic nation yet we have to face those threats as in swat. Isnt it like being forced to something.
The government is silent over the issue of warning letters. Even the political parties have got nothing to say. People are alll confused over the situation and are probably waiting for somone to take some action against it. The Private Schools Management Association of swat is the only organization that has taken a step against those warnings. They have refused to abode the students not to wear pants and girls wear head-to-toe viels.
The question is is to stop this situation. Swat valley has always been a symbol of peace. Ithas seen many civilizations come and go. Swat had the highest literacy reate of women in the whole northern region. People here were religous but they didny minf=d studebts wering pants and girls not wearing head-to-toe viels. They were more tolerant. Now what now?Shouldnt we be a little more tolerant over our religion. We know we cant force the religion over someone. Then why we do this Why we have to be extreamists to be a good muslim. Why we cant be muslims unless we kill for it.
Salam!
I hope my salam does not proceeds to thoughts as those given by militants in swat. I would call them militants as these people are tearing apart the life of a normal person in swat by arousing extreme thoughts in them and changing the daily happy life a local man into a chaotic one. As mentioned by Mr Khadim Hussain, the Afghans entered swat as refuges during afghan wars in eightes. Almost all of these Afghans came from a society given by taliban, a strict one with no openness at all. I think taliban started movin to Swat valley as they knew their other mates were already present thier. What is happening now, is the consequence of what their fellows are experiencing in Afghanistan. As armed forces from other countries are forcing thier rules upon taliban in Afghanistan, they are doing the same in Swat. If they had a stronger hold all over Pakistan, they might have done the same thing to everyone in Pakistan. Who is to blame? I think its the 21st century that has enabled us to make communication as fast as internet and life as threatning as terrorist’s favourite toy Ak 47. Political parties and agencies can play thier part, but current situations requires more awareness among individuals, allowing them to take bold steps as those taken by school managemenst in Swat. If government was to blame, then we should ask why they were not given proper education and all luxuries enjoyed by us? In my view individual’s response is more worthy.
Afer reading this article, I first regret to say that Pakistan has become so currupted that I pray ALLAH help us all. It really boils me up that some so-called militants are forcefully trying to implement their own form of society (“Islamic Sharia’a”.)
These militants even have no right to stay in Swat. They came from Afghanistan in the mid-eighties and now have taken that region and its people as hostage. Now I would like to ask them that can any society exists when its people are treated as hostages?
The warnings given by the militants really makes no sense. For example, men not allowed to shave beards is really ridicules. Growing beard is not compulsory for a Muslim (it is Sunat) so if someone wants have a clean shave then who are we to protest. It nether effects him or us. So I don’t understand why this issue has become so important. Also the militants have given warnings to stop the students wearing pants and shirts, considered to be western dress, from attending the schools. Now I would like to ask what is the Students basic purpose of going to school, to gain education or just stroll here and there in Shalwar Qameez. The concept of wearing Shalwar Qamees was not even in the time of OUR HOLY PROPHET (SAW). Also according to this fact that “Sangota Public School is established in 1965 and continues to function according to the local norms and traditions” so is it necessary to change the rules of the school?
Now the writer has said that the people had always been broad minded and culturally absorbed in the society. They had never been rigid in accepting music, games, western dress, TV, internet and the rest of modern technology. The valley had one of the highest women literacy rate as compared to the rest of N.W.F.P and several other parts of Pakistan. Till early nineties, no body among the common folks or the clergy had ever raised any objection to women education in the valley. So I ask what is the PROBLEM ? Why cant the people live their according to their own ways ?
It doesn’t surprise me that the Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan People’s Party have remained silent over the rulings of the anonymous letters. They don’t care about anyone but themselves.
In the end , I would like to add that sending the army in the region is not the solution. This will cause an increase of suicide attacks in Pakisan and the parties like MMA, ARD, e.t.c will find new ways to protest the government. I think only ALLAH HIMSELF can help out the the people of Swat.
The government with some agencies might have created such a crisis to divert the attention of the people due to bad political circumstances taking place in the country but extracting facts from the article simply makes one think that there are really some extremists who want to govern people of swat by terrorizing them and want to make a fearful atmosphere in swat. These extremists interpret Islam wrongly. They think that Islam can be imposed on people forcefully. Islam does not allow to frighten people and takeaway their rights .
The present condition of swat is due to lack of interest of the government in the issue.So far political and religious parties haven’t played any role regarding solving this issue. Whatever is being done and whoever is doing so, at least this is not according to Islamic laws. The government should take action in order to resolve such crisis and to maintain peace in the region.
we have lost or forgotten the true values of Islam,the people in swat or in jamia hafsa believe that they only know the Islam and they are only the people to take care of it.Islam has never supported exteremism.People can be guided in a better way,rather than holding guns and rifles to teach them.panic is created all over the country and one is confused to decide whether to go for the government or against them.my point of view is that ones character should be strong and impresive that people would come without being forced to follow the true teachings of islam.it is not the way that you torture people and dont allow people to have the basic needs of life.first they should improve their own moral values rather to improve others.
In the 1960s French philosopher Jacques Derrida came up with concept of deconstructionism – the textual analysis method based on the ideas that language is inherently unstable and shifting and that the reader rather than the author is central in determining meaning. In all likeliness, I will receive criticism for expressing my point of view.
The main problem is that most Pakistanis seem to have forgotten exactly why Pakistan was made in the first place. In school we are all taught that Pakistan was made in the name of Islam and for Muslims to dwell in with rules and laws universally accepted as the Shariat. However, these rules or laws under the canopy of the Shariat were never fully implemented in Pakistan by the inept governments even though Pakistan ostentatiously uses the word “Islamic” in its official name and has a parallel Shariat court system. It seems that the people of the Indian Subcontinent were confused masses that labored for an Islamic homeland but were cheated out of it in the end by the feudal government elites (as humble and loyal subjects of the British Raj they controlled the locals as proxies).
he Islam exists in Pakistan but only on paper and obviously that caused silent resentment and remorse that has now grown into a vicious problem. Islam does not suit the feudal elites of Pakistan because Islamic rulings reduce the powers of the individuals and introduce various taxes on land outputs. If Islam was actually applied in Pakistan these feudal elites would be reduced to normal landowners and they would lose their social, financial, and political powers. Since, these elites had banded together in all the political fronts of Pakistan they hampered and sabotaged the development of a purely Islamic constitution i.e. Shariat for Pakistan. To add to Pakistan’s internal tribulations these elites caused the breakup of Pakistan into two with their self-interests and bloated egos. That proves that to stay in power these elites can do anything and everything – even if it means splitting Pakistan.
All governments till now have shown little or no interest in the educational needs of the people. the Madresah system an actual school system that has been forced into a religious system by the lack of government funding. That was until the Afghan war came about in General Zia’s time. Zia, a crafty military president, channeled American aid money into the Madresah system to help train freedom fighters for the Afghan war. So instead of changing the Madresahs into proper school, he changed and transformed them into a militia organization. The Madresah trained Afghani dissidents also known as the Taliban took control of the government in Afghanistan after the Soviets left. Since they had a pseudo religious background they tried to implement Shariat in Afghanistan. It would have been a success if they had done it properly but the main problem was that they did not have proper Islamic teachings or learned schooling. They might have come out of the Madresah but they only learnt to use guns there and hence their Islam was flawed and awry.
When the Taliban were disbanded in Afghanistan, many of their insurgents cropped up in various parts of Pakistan and unfortunately swat is on such place among many. These so called fighters for Islam have religious passion but little or no religious knowledge. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, Islam is a religion of sacrifice and brotherhood, Islam is a religion of change and dynamism. The Swati zealots should learn that Muslims lived in Madinah with Jews and pagans, they shared and helped poor Muslims, and they learnt and adopted new names and dresses through conquests and trade. These simple minded folk should be taught that there is a big difference between Sunnah, Farrz, and Arab culture. Traweh prayer is Sunnah, Fajar namaz is Farrz and living in a tent is Arab culture. The government should solve its problems soon and take care of this issue immediately because if these fanatics are not stopped now they may one day forces us to ride camels instead of cars. These individuals should be systematically demilitarized and integrated into the society and given jobs so that they are robbed of this religious fervor.
This report initially focuses on the efforts made by the people of swat against their antagonistic new environment and then goes on to discuss the scenario of the “militants” rule in detail. It seems that the people of swat have the will to fight for their identity and culture but lack leadership and support. How good is a man’s publication in a local newspaper against the “anonymous” letters of the so-called “militants” if the district coordination officer “asks the people to abide by the edicts of the anonymous letters”? There should be justice done to the people who have been forced to shut down businesses and for worse seen their property turned to rubble due to non cooperation with the local rulers.
The government should come forward and establish a proper security system in the area to give people the confidence to move around freely and the assurance that their voices will be heard. Unfortunately it seems that the government has turned a blind eye to this matter for personal reason and external pressure. In my opinion it appears to be the latter.
The fundamentalists who have held the swat valley hostage are mainly the taliban who have come from Afghanistan. They are using their old influence in order to secure their presence in the new land. They have manipulated the Islamic sharia, for reasons I do not understand, and are enforcing their own, conservative Islamic ideology on the people or swat. The residents should be aware of their real Islamic sharia in order to counter this narrow-minded attitude and hence live a more productive and prosperous life. Every individual should have the freedom to lead ones life the way he/she pleases and the government should make sure of that.
Dear Readers,
The recent uprising of Mullah Militancy in Swat has worried us all. It not only deforms the image of this tourists haven but also frightens those who are for a democratic and enlightened country. We here feel much fear as now the threats are spread via annonymous letters. The uprising is a reaction of the Mullahs and Mullahsized people against the so called enlightenment of the military people. Our military has no philosophy at all. It has no agenda of its own. It carries out the agenda of the US government. For that purpose it sometimes poses itself as Islamic and the other time it entitles itself as enlightened and moderate. The military and the Mullahs have been friends for a long time. Now what is going on in Swat has its roots in this long friendship. As the militants are considered as non local hence it becomes evident that the “Pakistan Regiment of US Military” (always termed as Pakistan Army) is again manipulating the ‘Islamists’ for a hidden end. But the “Security State” of Pakistan kills innocent people in order to safguard the agenda of a Super Power. The militancy can be eradicated by confinig the regular “Militancy” to the baracks. As long as they have a part in politices they will drag the country to such chaos as we see happening in the country.
Friends, lets have one poit agenda: To Push the Military Back to Baracks.
zubair torwali,
Bahrain Swat.
According to my view here we have been explained the growing extremism and terrorism in the beautiful valley of Swat .Closing of cable tv ,publishing threatning messages in local newspapers ,closing of local missionary schools and forcing the girls to wear head to toe veil in schools all this shows that some power is disrupting and dismantling the peace and beauty of the valley of swat.If Pakistan was made on the name of Islam than this is not what we were being told from the day one of our nation.The local authorities are not caring much about the violence and state terror,this can be the work of intelligence agencies who are trying to distract the people’s attention from their wrong doings and political instability .Pakistan’s foreign policy has contributed a lot in flourishing the terrorism and instability in the country .The so called War on terror has completely devastated our economy ,the super power has used our soil and killed thousands on the name of terrorism in Aghanistan and hence we are facing the repercussion’s.Here we can say that Newtons third law is being verified “that every action has equal and opposite reaction” .The reaction is coming in the form of suicide bombing .There must be some remedy for this crisis .First of all the government must take appropriate and practical action against these terrorists because they may be funded by our enemy .Secondly military use should be minimized because every thing cannot be dealt with bullets .Thirdly intelligence agencies should be pressurized to figure out the real source of these mind blowing terrorist activities.We must try to cordon this crisis as soon as possible so that it cannot penetrate deep in to our urban areas .
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.we cannot curb extremism without solving these problems.western world blames islam for all this caos but like any religion Islam preaches moderation, justice and equality and does not preach extremism and militancy.