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Sunday, May 17, 2009
Analysis, Daily Times, Pakistan
Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi
It is disappointing that some parties, especially the Islamists, cannot overcome their narrow partisan interests, which makes it difficult for them to fathom the gravest ever threat to Pakistan’s internal harmony and security
The on-going Swat operation is the most difficult internal security assignment for Pakistan’s security forces in a long time. The army is leading the operation with determination to re-establish the authority of state in the areas controlled by the Taliban. This will demonstrate if the Army has upgraded its counter-insurgency capacity. The outcome of this operation will also have implications for the future direction of Pakistani state and society. If this operation fails, it will weaken Pakistan’s resolve and capacity to engage in counter-insurgency in the tribal areas.
Withdrawal of the army and paramilitary forces without restoring the authority of the state is not an option; that would amount to surrendering Swat to the Taliban, and would encourage such elements elsewhere to pursue similar action against the state. This will also give impetus to various Islamist hard-liners in mainland Pakistan to impose their religious and cultural preferences on others.
Pakistan is engaged in an intense struggle to restore its soul, and faces the danger of being overwhelmed by religious and cultural extremism backed by violence. Given Pakistan’s regional, ethnic and cultural diversity, individuals and groups cannot be allowed to operate as self-styled vigilantes to enforce their socio-cultural and political preferences. That would not only destroy the fabric of Pakistani state and society but also invite external intervention by those who would like to contain the fallout from the ascendancy of extremists.
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Labels: Islamist Parties, Islamization, Pakistan Army Operation, Swat Operation
posted @ 11:11 AM,
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