Again, Pakistan has reportedly been trying to sign a deal with Taliban and terrorists in Waziristan tribal region. According to reports, the local Taliban and the political administration in South Waziristan finalized an agreement for the release of more than 250 soldiers held hostage since last month.
According to the agreement, the Taliban will release the abducted soldiers in phases, a private TV channel reported. Efforts for the safe release of the abducted soldiers have been underway for the last two weeks.
In return, the army will leave the area and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) will take responsibility for security. The administration will also release the local Taliban who were arrested. Sources present during the talks with the local Taliban said that the abducted soldiers were kept in different locations, so they will be released phase wise starting on Monday. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Waheed Arshad told the TV channel that he has no information about the truce made between the political administration and the local Taliban.
In another development the retired generals have warned full-scale civil war in the country if the present campaign against the terrorists has not been stopped immediately.
According to a newspaper comment, SOME retired army generals have warned the government that continuing the current policies will push Pakistan into a state of civil war, creating no less serious situation than in Afghanistan and Iraq. The observation coming on the heels of the recent suicide strike on an army mess in Terblea-Ghazi is not without a rationale.
The generals have rightly held the present regime responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation as well as the resurgence of terrorism now spilling over from the restive tribal region into settled areas, even including the federal capital. This situation is alarming as much for our allies in the war on terror as for the nation itself.
The attacks are undoubtedly a reaction to the military operations going on in the tribal areas including Bajaur, Waziristan and other areas, creating a sense of insecurity among the local population. The killing of former Governor Balochistan and JWP Chief Nawab Akbar Bugti last year and the security forces’ operation on Lal Masjid in Islamabad that killed and wounded hundreds of innocent people further deepened hatred among the people against the government. It is time the authorities stopped this repressive policy of bombing and massacring its own citizens.
It is a pity that the government does not appreciate the dangers inherent in following foreign sponsored policies whose ultimate target might as well be its nuclear power and spoiling of relations with its trusted allies like China.
There is urgent need for the powers that be to review the situation coolly and take the people’s feelings seriously. All sections of society have to be united in the aim of making Pakistan a stable country. And that can best be made possible if every institution were to play its assigned role. It should stipulate that the army goes back to the barracks, free and fair elections are held and the majority party runs the country’s governance in accordance with the people’s mandate.
The End
