Sir: Two operations need to succeed in tandem for Pakistan to return to a semblance of normalcy. One of these is the current Zarb-e-Azb military advance against terrorists in the North. This operation, however, needs to attack the ideological cousins of these demonic groups in southern Punjab and elsewhere. Many of these groups are regarded as strategic ‘assets’ by the establishment, with some sort of a tenuous deal allegedly having been struck with them. In return for their safe existence, they are not to attack Pakistan internally.
The other operation that has not begun is against another group that is not overtly violent but remains very dangerous for the country. It is in fact this group that provides patronage for goons and the mafia that has made life for the unprotected citizen a game of Russian roulette. They are, however, the vulnerable pressure point, which if focused upon by the military could very quickly lead to widespread removal of all weapons from civilians.
The group in question comprises of various political parties, parliamentarians and similar influential figures, who through their guards create an aura of a weapon-wielding elite. Apart from being distasteful, they have become a grave nuisance. It would be a waste of effort to go after the enormous number of armed criminals in the initial stages of what has to be an army-led operation.
As the first step the army should enforce that all illegal weapons are confiscated, if not voluntarily relinquished, within two months. The following step, after relative peace and confidence among the public is obtained, is to ensure that all registered weapons be removed from civilian hands. This must include arms that private security agencies have. If done in a well-planned way, honestly and with vigour, the process can be completed countrywide within half a year.
Let there be no doubt that only the army is capable of carrying this out, not the paramilitary. The government can help by asking the parliamentarians and other influential people to cooperate fully in this urgent remedial measure.
Q ISA DAUDPOTA
Islamabad