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Politics in Depth Team
Answer
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Name
amr
-
Profession
Question
What is the future of Pakistani Taliban?
Answer
As a political entity, they could be dissolved, but continue under a different name or regrouping or organization.
However, basically the fighting is going to continue after all.
These are the same people who fought against the soviets for years and before them, they have defeated empires.
They are very stubborn, fierce, and rigid, and they can live in very rough conditions as they do in the mountains with very little food and comfort.
Name
Dom
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Why are they blowing up innocent people? What is their point?
Answer
They, actually in my own assessment, do not intend to harm civilians in any way.
In the recent hostages operation, they had civilian hostages, but they do not harm them anyway.
They do target police officers and army members, because they are the ones against whom Taliban is at war.
Unfortunately, civilians are sometimes caught between fires, but they die only as casualties of war, which is normal in any war.
Name
Lamar Gelani
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Why is the government unable to finish Taliban in one decisive and full-scale crackdown?
On the other hand, does the government really gets benefits from this militants in the form of US aids and US support of the shaky and corrupt regime?
Answer
Firstly, Pakistani Taliban fighters are much better ones than the military in such situations.
The military is only trained to fight conventional warfare not insurgencies or guerrilla warfare.
The government, no matter how they try, will not be able to get rid of these militants; they are not the first to try as I have mentioned before.
The government is definitely benefiting from American aid, but the government also seems to be determined to get rid of these militants
The government does indeed want to get rid of them, but there are certain elements in the Intelligence and the army who would benefit from such aid due to corruption.
Therefore, these people would be interested in keeping the insurgency alive, at least not completely defeated.
Similarly, there are also those who are sympathetic and wish to see Pakistani Taliban in a good condition.
These people do not support them because of materialistic ends or US aids.
Therefore, the answer to the US aid part would be yes and no.
Name
Mohd. Abbas Dar
- India
Profession
Business
Question
At present in Pakistan, Muslims are bleeding both sides, in your opinion what remedy will stop it?
Answer
I think this is a good question.
The government is really geared toward its own interest, not in that of the nation.
The government generally needs to hold talks and to establish a true democracy.
Compared to India, Pakistan is really lagging in this issue. There needs to be a national reconciliation and a fight against corruption among top government officials caught in fraud and embezzlement.
Pakistan cannot afford to lose large sums of money abroad in corruption.
There needs to be a national referendum towards such issues, and the country needs to decide how it will solve crisis.
The government cannot just ignore talking to the opponents.
Pakistan has done this before in 1971 with Bangladesh.
The government needs to hold talks with militants.
This attitude of not talking to your opponents does not work and needs to be stopped before any more bloodshed.
Ultimately, Pakistan needs to be a true democracy.
It is the only solution.
Elections will change the mood of the people towards politics, and allow them to feel they can change the situation and can decide the fate of the tribal areas.
Therefore, parliament needs reform, again just democracy.
Name
Mustafa
-
Profession
Editor
Question
Can the government really defeat militants of tribal origins in their own districts? Do militants have sympathy among their people?
Answer
I already answered the first part of this question.
It is quite clear they have sympathy all over the country and more so in the tribal areas.
They have been generally good to people, there is no reason to hate them.
In the Tribal areas, there is definite help for them and support.
Name
Muslim
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Profession
Question
As-Salam Alikom,
What prompted the Swat offensive some months ago?
There was an agreement that Swat would be ruled using Shari'ah law. Why did the Pakistani government violate that agreement?
Another question.
Is the Pakistani government aware that private mercenary forces like Black water, now called XE services are operating within the country?
Answer
Alikom As-Salam,
I think it is very clear that the government violated the agreement, because of American influence to take the policy of not negotiating with "terrorists".
America saw rising influence for these areas and did not like that, and thus pressure the government to act against them. So, the agreement was broken.
Many politicians were not pleased about it and so as the parliament as it was clearly not in Pakistan's interest at all to go ahead with such step.
Generally, the breach of the agreement was done under Washington's pressure.
Those who are in foreign affairs in Pakistan are aware of such mercenaries.
They certainly do operate in many parts of Pakistan and sometimes train anti-Mullah factions to fight Pakistani Taliban.
They disturb local populations like in Rawalpindi, yet the government does nothing to stop their vigilant operations and their annoyance, and contributes to insecurity to the local population
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
The session has ended. We would like to thank Dr. Farooq Hassan for taking the time to answer your questions, and all those who participated in the dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to answer all the questions due to time limitation.
