APC unanimity
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Editorial, The News International, Pakistan
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
In an unusual demonstration of harmony, all the major political parties in the country backed the operation in Swat. The loud chorus in favour of the move against militants meant that the feeble voice of dissent raised by several religious parties and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf was more or less completely drowned out. For the government this marks a big success. The strong backing of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz proved finally to be the key factor in swinging the balance and ensuring that no notable voice of opposition was heard. From the APC, it seems clear that all major parties in the country have recognized there is no choice but to battle militants with all the might we can muster. This is an important development for several reasons; The end to the dichotomy of opinion, as far as mainstream forces go, on how to handle the Taliban should help build support for our soldiers entrenched in battle in the north. The confusion over the need for them to do so should indeed end. The APC verdict will help achieve this with major political leaders making it clear there is no doubt in their minds as to what is needed and why.
The meeting also represented a forum where, perhaps for the first time, leaders also spoke out against those opposing the military operation. Their silence suggests they had few answers to give. Indeed some seem to have been persuaded as to the right of what was happening, with Imran Khan finally signing the joint declaration after ANP leaders answered questions that he put to them, claiming confusion over issues linked to the operation. In a state of civil war, it is always useful for either side to have public opinion behind it. The considerable force of this opinion seems now to be moving against the Taliban. Whether they have come about by accident or design, the events of the past few months have played a part in making this possible. The militants have been discredited, they have been increasingly exposed as mindless savages and this has played a part in the building of the consent we now see. The fact that it coincides with news of major military successes is also welcome and should help secure the victory that does not seem too far away.
But all the political parties, and the rest of us too, need to keep in mind that this may not be the final triumph. A great deal will still need to be done to ensure the victory is a lasting one. As we move into this phase, we will need the parties to come forward with their thoughts and ideas and to act as a kind of pressure group on government. We must then hope all the political players are looking too towards this future, and are ready to play their part in building one that would ensure peace and security for the people of the northern areas and also those in other parts of the country.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
In an unusual demonstration of harmony, all the major political parties in the country backed the operation in Swat. The loud chorus in favour of the move against militants meant that the feeble voice of dissent raised by several religious parties and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf was more or less completely drowned out. For the government this marks a big success. The strong backing of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz proved finally to be the key factor in swinging the balance and ensuring that no notable voice of opposition was heard. From the APC, it seems clear that all major parties in the country have recognized there is no choice but to battle militants with all the might we can muster. This is an important development for several reasons; The end to the dichotomy of opinion, as far as mainstream forces go, on how to handle the Taliban should help build support for our soldiers entrenched in battle in the north. The confusion over the need for them to do so should indeed end. The APC verdict will help achieve this with major political leaders making it clear there is no doubt in their minds as to what is needed and why.
The meeting also represented a forum where, perhaps for the first time, leaders also spoke out against those opposing the military operation. Their silence suggests they had few answers to give. Indeed some seem to have been persuaded as to the right of what was happening, with Imran Khan finally signing the joint declaration after ANP leaders answered questions that he put to them, claiming confusion over issues linked to the operation. In a state of civil war, it is always useful for either side to have public opinion behind it. The considerable force of this opinion seems now to be moving against the Taliban. Whether they have come about by accident or design, the events of the past few months have played a part in making this possible. The militants have been discredited, they have been increasingly exposed as mindless savages and this has played a part in the building of the consent we now see. The fact that it coincides with news of major military successes is also welcome and should help secure the victory that does not seem too far away.
But all the political parties, and the rest of us too, need to keep in mind that this may not be the final triumph. A great deal will still need to be done to ensure the victory is a lasting one. As we move into this phase, we will need the parties to come forward with their thoughts and ideas and to act as a kind of pressure group on government. We must then hope all the political players are looking too towards this future, and are ready to play their part in building one that would ensure peace and security for the people of the northern areas and also those in other parts of the country.
Labels: APC, Militants, Swat Operation, Taliban, Terrorism, Tribal Areas
posted @ 1:13 PM,
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