A spate of gun and bomb attacks seen as a response to the Pakistan Army’s offensive in South Waziristan has sent jitters across Pakistan, including in the normally peaceful capital Islamabad.
Conventional wisdom would have it that the attacks on both security services and civilians would eventually turn the people against Islamist militants rather as happened in Iraq at the height of the violence there. But as yet, there is no sign of a clear and coherent leadership emerging that might be able to forge a consensus against the militants.
“Where are you, our leaders?” asks Cyril Almeida in a column in Dawn newspaper. “As the country burns, parents agonise over whether to send their children to school or not, offices of businesses local and foreign ramp up their security measures, the average citizen thinks twice before venturing into crowded locales or government buildings, a simple question for our leaders: where are you? Where are you, President Zardari? Where are you, Prime Minister Gilani? Where are you, Nawaz Sharif?”
“The limitations of our political class are well known,” he writes. “Our politicians are venal, corrupt and weak. We have to muddle through with them because they are all we have. Expecting statesmanship is futile. But as the country burns and the people cower in fear, we must ask: for the love of God and all things that can be good, can they not for once, if only for a little while, stand up and be counted?”
In a country given to conspiracy theories, the attacks are feeding a rumour mill in which everyone talks about who will be targeted next, writes Fatima Bhutto, the estranged niece of the late Benazir Bhutto.
“There are stories being whispered in Pakistan these days, and their veracity is hard to gauge,” she writes. “No one knows what is real anymore in this country that seems hell-bent on self-destruction. In fact, our chief industry now seems to be the manufacture of fear, and everyone’s on the assembly line. The combination of ever-present violence and lack of reliable information has made us a country of debilitating Chinese whispers.”
And unlike Iraq, where al Qaeda was largely seen as an outside force, those behind the spate of attacks are from within Pakistan, often from its heartland Punjab province. They spent decades being told, with official sanction, that they were fighting a noble cause, first against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan during its 1979-1989 occupation and then against India in Kashmir, only to see the state turn against them.
In Iraq too, the United States skilfully used the power of American money to buy off local Sunni leaders to fight against al Qaeda. In Pakistan the power of American money is working against it, thanks to an uproar over U.S. plans to triple aid to the country, which are seen as carrying conditions which impinge on its sovereignty.
No matter how much U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke might insist that there are no conditions attached to the American aid, and that U.S. intentions have been misrepresented, the perception lingers that the United States is using its money to threaten, rather than help, Pakistan. And that is a perception that can be exploited by militant groups keen to convince their followers that they alone will stand up to the United States.
The jihadica website says that the row over the Kerry-Lugar Bill, along with persistent rumours - denied by the government - of U.S. security company Blackwater expanding its operations in Pakistan - are recurring themes in Urdu-language jihadi literature.
“Militant scribes are chipping in on the hot topics of mainstream Pakistani media, dangerously aligning their grievances with those of the public - specifically, the latter’s anti-U.S. sentiments,” it says. ”While opinion may be torn on the use of military operations in Pakistan, Pakistanis from all walks of life appear united in perceiving the U.S. as an enemy.”
“So, what is to be done?” asks Pakistan’s News International. ”We cannot obviously sit back and let our country be destroyed. Far more radical and more far-reaching steps are needed if the problem is to be overcome. The public needs to be involved to a larger extent in the effort against terrorism. This after all is a battle that has an impact on the life of every citizen – man, woman or child. The suicide bombers who strike so frequently have parents, siblings and other relatives somewhere. These people must play a part in stopping them. So too must their neighbours and others aware of the places where they are being trained and prepared for their missions.”
But in a country divided upon itself, who will lead that drive forwards?
(Reuters photos: the grave of a 19-year-old girl killed in an attack on Islamabad University; a child at the grave of Benazir Bhutto)
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Message to Riz:
With all due respect, I think you are being highly immature here. Bringing up the Samjhauta express in every one of your posts is not helping your case. Samjhauta express is still being investigated and there have been many speculations. On one hand There is the Hindu extremism angle to it. But on the other hand there are also reports coming out (even from the USA, which has named some Pakistanis such as Arif Qasmani, affiliated with LeT), that there may be a Pakistani/Muslim extremist angle to it. Let the investigation proceed, and if it is proven that Indians are behind it, then we’ll talk.
People like you claim that Hindu extremists are behind the Samjhauta express attack, and that the Indian government is trying to hide it. Well I’d like to remind you that many Indians and Hindus were killed in that attack. Also, the Godhra incident. Hindus claim that Muslims burnt a train carrying Hindu Pilgrims (which then led to post-Godhra Riots), and there are many eye witnesses which claim the same. However the Indian government hasn’t done anything about it. Should Hindus start saying that the government is protecting Muslim extremists?
That being said, there is no denying that Hindu extremism exists in India. Of course it does, just like extremists (white supremists) also exist in USA. However that is not the debate here, as the Hindu extremists are not tearing the country apart. Moreover, the Hindu extremists in India have never attacked India, whereas the Jihadis in Pakistan have vowed to bleed India to death.
SO lets stop talking about Samjhauta express, ok?
The problem is in Pakistan. Pakistan has been supporting terrorists since the beginning of its existence. And THAT is why India hates Pakistan, and THAT is why India got itself involved in 1971 (another reason would be that huge number of refugees were pouring into India thanks to the genocide being carried out by Pakistan army).
Operation Gibraltar, for example, in the 1960s was done by Pakistan to create anti-India sentiment in Indian Kashmir. However, it failed. But Pakistan kept at it, created violence in Kashmir, carried out terror attacks, etc. For this reason we went to war in the 1960s. After this Pak learned that they cannot beat India, so they even established jihadi elements in East Pakistan (Bangladesh) to weaken India from both sides and create terror throughout India. For this reason India found it beneficial to use 1971 to break off east Pakistan, and thus try to get rid of the jihadi threat from there (this plan was only partially successful, as many jihadi groups with links to ISI still exist in Bangladesh).
India doesn’t hate Pakistan because of partition. It’s because ever since 1947, you guys have been creating trouble in our country. It was you guys who initially invaded Kashmir in 1947. India only came into the picture after the Maharaja and Abdullah asked India for help.
Personally speaking, I would be glad if India was helping Balochi separatists. Give Pakistan a taste of its own medicine, and it would probably help take Pakistan’s mind off of Kashmir.
But I know India wouldn’t get itself into that mess; it is too busy trying to become a superpower and contain Chinese aggression.
But it’s ok. The way things are going, Pakistan will destroy itself. It needs no external enemies. It’s enemies are within. And all of those who do not recognize that their real enemies are within (practically all Pakistanis) are all responsible for Pakistan’s self destruction.
So you can put false accusations on India all you want. Its not effecting us. It’s you guys who are suffering from this ignorance.
- Posted by RahulCan anyone of you change what prevails within each country by arguing over forums? You can’t change anything unless you change yourselves. Stop blaming each other for the past. There is no right or wrong. Both countries made mistakes in the past.
- Posted by Jennifer Khan.Look within yourself. You,you demand peace? I think,not. The present and the future is made up of people like yourselves. Think intelligent and think wise. As democrats you can have an opinion,but to practically impose it you need to act rather than throw blames back and forth over public forums. Act like realistic men/women and fight for your defense in the real world.
Let’s face it, we are at war. The ridiculous arguments about the terrorists only targeting government establishments, or it is the West’s war, it’s a Jihad against infidels, etc, were blown to smithereens last Wednesday afternoon in Peshawar’s Meena Bazaar. The powerful car bomb, which ripped through the thickly-congested market place — a favourite shopping area of lower and middle class families in particular — showed that it is a war with terrorists standing on one side of the blood line, and we the people on the other.
http://ahraza.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/w e-must-declare-state-of-war/
- Posted by AHRRajeev:
- Posted by RizWhatever you say, you never answered my only one question to you and all Indians participating in this discussion and that question is about SAMJHOTA TRAIN burnt down brutly by some Hindu extremists involving even some ARMY people and one of those was actually caught by ATS chief which was killed in Mumbai attacks?
Dont tell me how to do my homework as you yourself never do yours completely by giving my answers.
Nothign else I havve to say……..
can some one tell me why individuals from pakistan and india argue with each other in internet, news papers and tv takshows etc. and give the impression that they are best of friends. and this is inspite of the fact that india has humiliated pakistan in the battle ground several times and as yet there is no peace agreement between the countries. is it something to do with the leaders of the respective countries whereas the people probably want peace and friendship.
- Posted by rex minorRiz:
Cool down, I have actually addressed all your points.
@because you damn care if PAKISTANIS die…
–That is what you think and what you think here is wrong. Blowing away innocents is inhuman—anywhere of any nationality.period
I can envision how many lives change by each death that takes place in terrorist attacks. But I cannot shove it down your throat to convince you.
@Airhijacking: This airhijacking was an international issue at that time that contributed greatly in pushing Pakistan almost being declared a terrorist-sponsor by Clinton Admn. That is the same airhijacking where JeM Chief Azhar Mahmood was released (plus 2 more) who ended up killing many in Kashmir, then parliamnent attack, then cutting the head of an American journalist, and now given a kid-friendly facility in South Punjab. All media including Pakistani knows these facts except you pethaps. So much for Pakistan’s anti-terrorism stance!
But from you posts, I gather you are bit behind and need an update. Perhaps it is your teenage–which I think is the issue here. Read more since I am not doing your homework for you.
A thing I missed in last post was that I heard that RAW was involved until 199?, but RAW operations were officially and openly shut down by ex-PM Gujral which coincided with eradication of terrorism in Indian Punjab. I am very receptive to know of anything more/artcile etc if you have anything other than the official statements to offer here for India/RAW involvement in Pakistan.
We have discussed it quite a bit and suggest getting back to the topic “Pak’s war within” unless you want posts trashed away.
- Posted by rajeevRajeev:
Wow look who is stalking here and what he is talking.
When you dont have anything to say then you call it “Irrelevant issue”
Yo really know names and cities of people invilved in Hijacking of Indian plane but you dont have MUCH information about Train burning….Let me tell you why not much info because all names are of INDIAN RAW or ARMY people involved in that incident…..Yes a handfull of Indians got killed in that incident and you really feel sad about it…whereas 99% PAKISTANI DEAD BODIES or burnt bodies are not visible to you…….You people are hopeless because you would never accept your weaknesses or your crimes…Yes you know everything else EXCEPT what INDIA does and then call it IRRELEVANT……..cool justification…isn’t it?
And all those so called PROOFS you are providing here….all are INDIAN organization blogs or news web sites…do you think they are really fair? They are main cause due to which you guys dont know the reality….
And by the way why INDIA needs so called 4 consulates in one country? And also those which you people dont know about…….?
- Posted by RizYes whatever INDIA does its negative and lie…whatever PAKISTAN does not do its still truth………..come on Rajeev its just the wrong info which your media shove down to your throats….accept it……and if you are so very true then provide info about Train burning involvement names just like you provided names of PAKISTANIS involved in INDIAN plane hijacking…but why you need to do that because you damn care if PAKISTANIS die…you would only care if INDIAN casualities are there that is why neither your media provide any info nor you try to get some…………
correction:
“I am NOT responding to irrelevant issues here.”
- Posted by rajeevRiz:
I am responding to irrelevant issues here.
Having said that,
1. The burden to provide proof of India’s involvement lies with Pakistan. It is not for India to prove its innocence since there is no way that the negative can be proved. I hope you understand this much.
2. India’s role in Pakistan (Baluchistan or Taliban support) is addressed by Manmohan Singh.
Here you go:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india /PM-denies-India-is-linked-to-Taliban/a rticleshow/5175833.cms
3. There are 4 Indian consulates in Afghanistan:
Mazare-Sharif, Jalalabad, Herat and Kabul–not 5 or more.
4. Pakistani involvement to support terrorism in India is endless and to mention some (in addition to Mumbai case), the hijackers of the Indian Airlines aircraft in 1999 were all from Pakistan (in which Azhar Mahmood and others were released and same Azhar now given a facility in S.Punjab). The identity of the hijackers is: 1. Ibrahim Athar, Bahawalpur; 2. Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi; 3. Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Defence Area, Karachi; 4. Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, Akhtar Colony, Karachi; 5. Shakir, Sukkur City. Their photographs are on Indian embassy:
http://www.indianembassy.org/archive/hij ackers_id.htm
5. You should keep in mind that Samjhauta Express express bomb blast also killed Indian security personals and Indian citizens along with Pakistan citizens. There were some doubts both on Indians and Pakistani elements. CBI investigation is still underway and the probe is still going on (last week they questioned some from a political party) and no one has been proven guilty so far. I hope that satisfies you.
Personally, I am for zero tolerance for each single terrorist group (TTP or LeT) whether against Pak, India, Afghanistan. “Your terrorist is my freedom fighter” theory (Umair is a silent proponent of this theory) is the major reason terrorists have succeeded this much in this region. Selective compassion for pakistani innocents without compassion for Indians or vice-versa is inhuman to say the least. I personally lived through Indian Punjab terrorism and I know how much unpredictable life becomes and the scars it leaves even after terrorism is eradicated. Indians and Afghans have faced these barbarians much before Pakistanis had any clue about terrorism. Pakistan exported terrorism–east and West–while Pakistanis were safe at home. In my view, all these military operations are not enough as long a common man does not develop a zero tolerance policy without selectivity against terrorism/religious fundamentalism, someone in this region will always suffer—may be Afghans, Pakistanis or Indians. Terrorism survives with peoples support and will die without their support.
- Posted by rajeevWell Well Well
As I said in all my posts, NO INDIAN in this forum has replied to my questions on Burnt Train full of Pakistanis and still is the same case……….You guys dont have courage to accept that you also have black sheep…..I do agree we have which are making PAKISTAN’s name bad…..but I just want you guys also to accept it and is there anyone single Indian in this forum has any answers to my quetions about Burnt Train? No one would ever reply to these because you want to close your eyes on this major issue…..
Mr. KP Singh :
If you are so annoyed of Kasab’s demands of Biryani then why dont you hang him? Now dont tell me so called Humanitarian care protection organizations stories due which INDIAN government is not hanging him…….
And what kind of proofs you have about Dawood to be in PAKISTAN? Every single person knows he is in DUBAI…..
Mr. GW:
I am agreed on what you are saying that we have enemies within our own nation…..You are absolutely right that Mullas are using uneducated youth of Pakistan by brain washing them on so called Jihad against their own country men….but tell me what Mullas can do alone? They need money, weapons to carry on their so called Freedom fight against PAKISTANIS and who is providing them all this aid? INDIA…….Because INDIA has double game going on here….I know they are developing way ahead of Pakistan but there is a dedicated group who always thinks about doing something in PAKISTAN to make use of the situation and getting it worst to destablize it….We are weak nation but who is taking advantage of such things? INDIA because they from day 1 after 1947 feel PAKISTAN something irritating in their eyes…That is why they helped in making consiperacies in 1971 to cut eastern part of Pakistan in to Bangladesh….Come on guys nobody in this world is Angel….you are doing good way better than lot lot countries of this world but still you are not cleaned 100%……
Mr. Mortal:
You keep on asking proofs of everything just like you are some kind of Head of Interpol…Mr answer me of Burnt train question? Do you have it?
Now how army handles situation its their headache…sometimes you have to shake hands with your enemy keeping an eye on the situation and when time comes just do what is right…so you dont worry how PAKISTAN army is handling inside situation and try to have a glimpse within your own country…..
So guys get back with your counter attacks…….
- Posted by Riz…just to add, apart from evicting terrorists from Swat, Army is choking them in Waziristan. What else do terrorists control in Pakistan? They have their way in tribal badlands, but as the Army goes in and settle down, tribal governance will improve and reprisal attacks in cities will recede. Not a bad overall picture in Pakistan.
While Obama has just asked senior officials for a province-by-province analysis of Afghanistan to determine which regions are being managed effectively by local leaders and which require international help, information that his advisers say will guide his decision on how many additional U.S. troops to send to the battle. reference of this report is today’s Washington Post.
- Posted by UmairSoman
“I have heard Kiyani needs 3000 security people when he travels in Rawlpindi or Islamabad. I have also heard that Zardari spent 300 mil to make his palace bullet-proof with imported German glass windows and 12 ft blast-proof walls. Zardari never steps outside his palace unless he is travelling abroad!”
-On Monday while driving near the Air HQ in Islamabad I made way for the Chief of Air staff’s motorcade approaching from rear. Many times I come across Gen. Kayani’s motorcade while he is on his way from GHQ to President House in afternoons travelling open in the public. So is the naval Headquarters in Islamabad and the Naval chief travels with even relaxed security while most of time Army and Air chief staff car is accompanied by a decoy vehicle, a military police escort jeep in front with SSG commandoes in between fully armed and an ambulance at rear with medics onboard. Thats it, the total motorcade consists not more than 6 to 8 vehicles 35-50 personnel, including drivers, police personnel, commandoes and medics.
As for the 12 feet blast proof walls around the presidential palace, dont tell me. My workplace is just a few blocks away and i know the security arrangements at the constitution avenue/diplomatic enclave. Apart from security checkpoints and several barricades, there are no blast proof walls around Aiwan-e-Sadar.
Just thought it should clear your misperception since I work in Islamabad and live in Rawalpindi.
There is a big difference between what you hear and what is fact, you are mistaken if you think Pakistan is Iraq or Afghanistan.
How much control does Karzai have in even Kabul, where just yesterday Taliban attacked UN guesthouse and fired rockets at Serena Hotel? How much do international forces have control of areas outside their military cantonments? Southern Afghanistan is controlled by local warlords.
- Posted by UmairPakistani cities like Rawalpindi with military headquarters and Islamabad being the capital and Peshawar capital of Northwest have become the frontline in this war against terrorists. Citizens are still bravely going about their daily lives at work and homes, we are at the forefront of this battle, not fearful and determined to prevail.
Karzai wouldn’t dare venture outside Kabul without private American contracted security escort. What a shame i really feel sorry for Karzai. Even local tribal chiefs wield more authority than him,
- Posted by Umair
I have heard Kiyani needs 3000 security people when he travels in Rawlpindi or Islamabad. I have also heard that Zardari spent 300 mil to make his palace bullet-proof with imported German glass windows and 12 ft blast-proof walls. Zardari never steps outside his palace unless he is travelling abroad!
So Karzai is doing better than Kiyani or Zardari!
- Posted by Soman@ Riz : “I know and I do agree on what LeT and other extremist organisations doing in PAKISTAN and involved in other countries and our government and army are after them”
How is your army going after them? By inviting the likes of Hafiz Saeed (who orchestrated the murder of 160 Indian civilians in Mumbai) for dinner parties?
By shielding the likes of Dawood Ibrahim & Azhar Mehmood, who have the blood of thousands of Indians on their hands? Is this the way your army goes after terrorists?
@ “if you have consulates for schools and other things there why cant you see weapons going to PAKISTAN beneath your nose??”
This nonsense is just too moronic & delusional for me to respond to. As I said, if you have a legit source which substantiates any of the above BS, provide it otherwise, I have nothing else for you.
- Posted by Mortal@Riz,
Just remember, there are 700,000 army in Pakistan and why are they still pointing their guns at India, while Wahhabi Cowards attack innocents in your cities.
Your Army is to blame for dragging its feet and not taking the threat seriously. My numerous postings have predicted that the carnage is coming to the cities.
Not one Pakistani on this post had the sense to look past their own need to be right and their own need to hate India.
I said dozens of time, months ago that the internal security in Pakistan and police are very weak that Kashmir War assets need to be transferred and re-allocated to the cities.
What has happened today is sad, but more can be prevented if that 700,000 army was transferred to the cities, where the real fight will be, not with India.
Pakistan has nothing that India wants, feel free to release the Kashmir war assets and resources to the cities, where the militants are taking over.
- Posted by GW@Riz,
you said:
“INDIAN embassies on so called infrastructure kind of activities are aiding them with weapons and money…where they are getting so much explosives and weapons?”
–>Please quit indulging in wild fantasies, victimhood and blame and take responsibility for the country you live in. Feel free to talk sense once in a while.
If you or any body thinks India is doing, something, why has not one person from Pakistan sent India a detailed dossier, with all proofs of so-called Indian activities in Afghanistan. Please do not flatter the Indians, they do not need it.
As for the weapons, there were huge weapons caches left in Afghanistan by Pakistan, the soviets and the U.S. and many weapons are home-made in Pakistani NWFP markets, like RPG and Kalishnikov’s.
I have not heard one Pakistani ever say, “We are screwed up”….”India is not the enemy”…”the enemy is within each of us.”
If you want to see who the enemy is, you can see them in your local masjid, on the street, some of them have beards and white robes, salwar Kameez, some of them wear Pak Army Uniforms. The biggest enemy of Pakistan is its own home grown Islamic Militants, who are funded by your Wahhabi Saudi bretheren.
To suggest that India has a hand with the Taliban, is like concluding that the Taliban (Islamic Teachers) are collaberating with Hindus, to kill muslims, how absurd. Those Taliban if one thing they are not, is traitors to Islam, they would never side with any Hindus for terrorism, they consider Indians and non-muslims to be cockroaches.
Indians are too meek to be indulging in insurgencies and such, if you remember the last three wars, we could have taken Lahore, Punjab in Pakistan, but we decided to leave you alone, because we always handle Pakistan with Kid gloves.
This mayhem is not our doing, we are much too busy shooting for outerspace and the moon, so please check your local Imams and fireband clerics, their associations and oil money and funding will lead you to your enemy, trying to Wahhabi-ize your country.
- Posted by GWRiz: “Do you have any proofs about what you are blaming on Pakistan?”
Ajmal Kasab - Mumbai attacks Nov 2008.
Dawood Ibrahim - Mumbai bombing 1993.
Omar Sheikh - IA plane hijack.
To name a few. Two of these are still roaming freely inside Pakistan. Kasab is demanding Biriyani in Indian jail, after having killed many innocents he never knew.
- Posted by KP SinghWhy has Pakistan shown reluctancy in this case, starting with outright denial first and then employing delay tactics.