Daily Times

I have already talked about the expected ‘change’ in the power crisis. A major change is not possible immediately. However, some relief by equitable distribution of the available resources can be achieved. I would also want to add here that if the line losses and thefts can be controlled, the situation may further improve.

Now we continue with the question of change in the ‘law and order’ situation. The law and order situation has deteriorated due to several factors. However, generally in the public perception ‘terrorism’ is the main cause. Terrorism, as we have seen in the last decade, has become synonymous with the ‘Taliban’. Most of the people in Pakistan are religiously-oriented. Therefore, they can be easily deceived in the name of religion. The situation further deteriorates because a majority does not have a direct understanding of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Their understanding is through some ‘maulvi’ (local priest) who claims to have a better knowledge and passes on his version and interpretation. Those who have perpetrated terrorism in Pakistan have propagated it as a service to religion. In fact, it is far from that and the resultant terrorism is serving the opposite intent. Obviously, massive killings by attacks on mosques, schools, bazaars and other popular places cannot be the purpose of any religion, leave alone Islam. Islam is a symbol of ‘salamati’ (wellbeing). It is not in the spirit of Islam to shed blood aimlessly. In fact, it is strictly forbidden. Terrorism progresses on the basis of the need of desperate adventurers. Such groups need lawlessness, freedom for illicit trade, ransom, subversion, and an atmosphere of fear. Terrorism is not to be mixed up with street crime. Street crime is different and may even be a byproduct of terrorism.

Terrorism has now become a generic name for the destruction originating from the Taliban. But if analysed carefully, one finds that even the ‘Taliban’ has become a ‘cover name’ and within the so-called ‘Taliban’ there are several factions with different intent. They all hide under the name of Islam, but perpetuate only their favourite brand of what they call Islamic practice. Under this cover are those who promote the Salafi, Tayyabi, extremist Sunni, extremist Shia cults, paid saboteurs, paid mercenaries, drug and arms mafias and crime syndicates. All of them have one common purpose and that is to weaken the state control and get operational elbow room. They attack the law enforcing agencies as their favourite target. They attack religious institutions to threaten the free religious groups to keep them in line for political support. They attack businesses to show their power and seek submission to their extortion efforts.

Then there are also terrorists in the garb of the Taliban who assert their point of view or cult and attack schools. They use all tools of destruction, and the worst of these are suicide attacks. Suicide attacks were invented in the World War Two by maniac dictators to get out of desperate situations, and now these have been adopted by the Taliban. Suicide bombers are prepared by systematic brainwashing of the young who are procured by offering incentives. There is a system of procuring these young people; however, that is another subject.

Returning to the law and order challenge, the current government subscribes to the logic of the necessity of negotiations. This logic has been promoted by the pro-Taliban rightist political parties. In principle there is nothing wrong with negotiated settlements. A settlement by discussions is much better than an armed conflict. But is it realistic to expect a negotiated settlement with the factions of the so-called Taliban?

What are the stumbling blocks? These are: 1. How to identify the person or group with a following amongst all the groups? 2. Can the special interest Taliban who look for mafia-like gains subscribe to any agreement? 3. Would the talks be without preconditions? 4. Would the Taliban lay down arms as a goodwill gesture? 5. Would they accept Pakistan’s constitution? So on and so forth. There are many difficulties in the way. However, considering the best scenario, a limited success can be achieved if those Taliban who are not breaking the law to extort money, and who are not part of the other mafias, and in fact misled by narrow interpretations of Islam, can be convinced that Islam is a peaceful religion and by involving themselves in bloodshed they are actually committing a sin. If they can be fully convinced that the power of Islam is in promoting love, in peace, and in knowledge, it will be a great success. Religious scholars will need to fully support the political endeavour. If this is achieved, and the ‘converts’ come into the mainstream religion, it will bring some peace and improvement in law and order and it will be a credit to the government. It is also possible that the ethnic killing be reduced, and, most important, the ‘cover’ over atrocities in the name of Islam removed. Other groups who stay out of the possible negotiated settlements will be gangs of criminals who need to be dealt with the force of arms by the law enforcing agencies. In conclusion: ‘some’ improvement can be expected but major relief and a real change can occur only with successful negotiations and strong law enforcing activity.

Then the other big challenge that has eaten into the fabric of national morality is ‘corruption’. In the very early days of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam, in his address to the Constituent Assembly, pointed out that the eradication of this menace is to be given top priority. Can the new government take up the challenge with some success? The challenge of corruption may, in fact, be at the root of all the bigger problems that we are confronted with today. A serious effort to understand the ‘roots’ and the ‘need’ of corruption must be understood to assess the possibility of change.

(To be continued)

The writer is the former CEO Pakistan National Council of the Arts;
Chairman Fruit processing Industries; Chairman UNESCO Theatre Institute Pakistan; COO ‘ICTV’ USA, and currently, Senior Vice President
APML (Central). He can be reached at naeemtahir37@gmail.com