All posts tagged: waziristan

Religion: In the shadow of the mosque

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The Economist Religion is becoming less tolerant, and more central to Pakistan   Visibly more pious THE CLEAN-SHAVEN, middle-aged academic in Lahore is under fire from his wife and his bushy-bearded 20-year-old son, a student. Last year he completed the haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim is expected to make at least once. Now, after a lifetime of weekly attendance at the mosque, on Fridays, he is told by his family that he should make the half-hour trip there to say his prayers five times a day. “Pakistan”, he says, “has become very religious-minded and anti-West.”

Without Knowing FATA

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Ayaz Wazir FATA has attained great significance in the eyes of the West. It has become a focal point for them in their handling of affairs in the war on terror in that region. They have appointed Special Envoys to keep an eye on the developments in that area and also to find ways and means for possible solutions of the problem.

The Path to Redmption

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Sana Saleem The military offensive in South Waziristan has been deemed successful: speaking to the press, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced the completion of the South Waziristan offensive, and stated that the army will now focus on the Orakzai area. However, continued attacks on major cities and high security zones suggest that many fighters have fled the war zone and are being sheltered in cities across the country. The absence of a sound strategy to combat the infiltration of militants in otherwise peaceful areas is adding fuel to the fire. As the army forges on, the chances of more fighters fleeing to cities becomes higher. It appears to be a vicious circle of collateral damage: every time the military vows success, it is met with deadlier and more well planned attacks in urban areas beyond the tribal belt that result in heavy civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the recruiting of militants continues everyday and more people are being won over with the ‘this is not our war’ line of reasoning.

What Becomes of Us

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This post  by Rafiq Durrani was originally published on TeethMaestro Look at this picture, this is a child labeled as IDP (internally displaced person) living currently in a make shift camp without proper basic living conditions e.g. food, water, sanitation. He doesn’t have fear in his eyes, even though it could well be that his family died during air raids by his own country’s air force or shelling by army tanks of his nation’s army or if spared by all that then by a drone attack of our biggest ally or may be they survived but this kid still must have seen a lot of carnage and so would have all the other kids of his age around him. We are fighting this war for a some time now and it seems to be in the pipeline for a few more so we are talking about a whole generation being raised in such conditions with atrocities being committed all around them. To me it seems like we are running a Taliban production center ourselves or …

Waziristan Strategy or Pakistan Strategy?

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The battle in Waziristan is variously called “the mother of all battles”, war of ideas and the war for the meaning of Pakistan. Whatever one may call it, there is a little doubt that this is the most important battle Pakistan has ever been engaged in. we hereby present, in two parts, an analysis of how this battle became unavoidable and attempt to present a comprehensive strategy that is required for winning this war. Waziristan today has come to symbolize the paradigm in which Pakistan finds itself. An epicentre of ‘terrorism’, a symbol of ‘Talibanization’ and now a field for what has been euphemistically called ‘mother of all battles’. Pakistan and Waziristan were not always like this. How we have come to this pass is crucial to analyse, but even more urgent is to assess that are we prepared enough to win this battle? Is this just a battle or a war? Is the battle confined to South Waziristan? What are the implications beyond Waziristan? What lies beyond the battle? What will happen after South …

How Do People of Pakistan reply? Lets March on Them

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The twin suicide blasts in Islamic International University in Islamabad has resulted in the killing of five people today. At first glance the attack leaves one puzzled and confused as to the motive of the attackers. Why Islamic University? Why Hijaab clad girls? But stand back and reflect for a moment and it all becomes crystal clear. The message is loud and plain. If the terrorists can target the Abaya and  naqab wearing women in the Islamic University, then they can kill anyone, at any point. Its a loud warning shot to the People of Pakistan. They have shown once again that their main strategy is to maim and kill ruthlessly. The purpose is to cause fear and expand this fear deliberately so that it acts as a restraint from daily life to critical decision making. It is to traumatize, pressurize and psychologically terrorize people, by creating pain, anguish, remorse, anger and fear. For a terrorist morality of an act is not justified by consequences but by motivations. This act is a clear attempt to make …

WAZIRISTAN BATTLE…. WHAT ARE THEY SAYING

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Waziristan will be the Qabristan: One country – One Law This duel in Waziristan will be a Qabristan (graveyard). This is an oversimplification. The only intrigue here is whose Qabristan – the Army’s or the fanatics’? …… The average Pakistani is caught between existence and survival…….. Where are the politicians who promise him law and order and access to education and affordable prices for daily needs?…… If the fanatics win, all hope is lost. You lose. I lose. Pakistan loses. By temporal on baithak@blogspot.com The Battle for Pakistan Rising violence, targeted and random, has become a fact of life in Pakistan today. It threatens the country’s political and economic future—and there still does not appear to be a strategy to stop it. The fledgling civilian government, composed of a weak coalition of opportunistic parties, has conceded to the military responsibility …….    The latest military campaign in South Waziristan, launched Saturday, is a good example of the disconnect between the government and the military……. That is where the civilians need to step in. To date, they …