A turning point
Will this make or break Indo-Pak relations?Photo: AFP
THE recent carnage in Mumbai is terrifying. Indians are entitled to be angry, hurt and disgusted. The Indian government has alleged that initial evidence indicates that some of the terrorists came from a "neighbouring country." Even though the prime minister of India has not accused the Pakistani government of being involved in the attacks, it is apparent who the "neighbour" is. The Pakistani foreign minister has reacted responsibly. He admonished journalists who tried to downplay the tragedy. Yet, the media is full of jingoistic messages. Some Indians want revenge, and even went to urge their government to bomb Pakistan. A few voices in India have cautioned against a call for revenge and have suggested looking deeper into the failure of the security system itself. They are pushing for effective diplomacy so that Pakistan's rulers are encouraged to take action against those who are using their country as a launching pad for terrorist activities. Those in India who want reprisals against Pakistan are falling into the very trap that the terrorists have set for them. It is no secret that both the terrorists and their patrons, within the Pakistani intelligence, want a disengagement of the military in northern Pakistan. Despite all efforts made, security forces have neither been able to convince them to de-escalate violence, nor have they been able to persuade the current United States administration to loosen the grip on the war on terror. As such, they are caught in a war they are most reluctant to fight. Therefore, the military is understandably desperate to end the conflict in FATA and Swat. It also suits the militants to distract the military on all sides, so that they have a free hand to consolidate their power base within Pakistan. Indians must take note that the risk of a better-organised force of militants will endanger the people of Pakistan and may also create havoc in India. The reaction in Pakistan is mind-boggling. Several militant organisations have issued public statements rejecting all claims that Pakistan's territory was used to prepare the Mumbai attacks. Some, like the Tehrik-e-Taliban, claimed that the "terror attacks in Mumbai were part of a conspiracy to defame Pakistan and the Mujahideen." The organisation warned India against attacking Pakistan asserting that the Mujahideen would "fight shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces and the people of Pakistan." Through this statement, they appeared to have arrogated to themselves the authority to respond on behalf of Pakistan and appear as saviours of its people. Ironically, the Tehrik-e-Taliban is fighting Pakistan's military in the north, and is accused of having killed several Pakistanis in the most inhumane manner. One senior security official has apparently suggested that if India escalated tensions, then the war on terror would no longer be their priority and the Pakistani troops would have to be moved to the western border of Pakistan. Naturally, it would also be the responsibility of the security forces to keep equal pressure on all borders, so that civilians are protected. The statement, however, dismisses any responsibility of protecting people from the militant groups. This belies all claims by the present and the previous governments that the military actions against the militants were being carried out purely in the interests of Pakistan and to protect its citizens, rather than at the behest of the United States. It is deeply worrying that those who are supposed to protect civilians from militancy violence seem reluctant to do so. Are they not aware of the urgency? Or are they simply not concerned? Do they have a game-plan unknown to the Pakistanis and their political representatives? A spokesperson of the PML(N) lambasted the government for "bowing" to India by agreeing to send the chief of the ISI or his representative to India. In the past, the PML(N) has been severely critical of the role of the ISI and supported calls for reforms within it. Regrettably, the opposition is dangerously exploiting the situation. In contrast to the statement, Mr. Advani, the leader of opposition in India has for now assured all support to the Indian prime minister. Perhaps we need to learn a few lessons on how the opposition can also be constructive in times of emergency. After all, it is the representatives of the people who are entitled to take policy decisions. It must be the politicians rather than the intelligence agencies who make policies regarding foreign affairs. Surely, the ISI head and representatives do not carry a stature beyond that of those representing the people of Pakistan. The PML(N) would make a grave mistake by arrogating a grand status to the ISI, which would undermine the powers of any civilian government. After all, joint dialogues, investigations and actions that resolve tensions should be encouraged rather than be taken as an affront to national dignity. Most sections of the society within Pakistan appear in a state of denial regarding the allegations made by Indian authorities. They are not willing to accept any possible connection between Pakistan and the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. At the same time, any attack within Pakistan is treated differently. Many have openly blamed militant groups operating within Pakistan and rogue elements within our intelligence agencies for the violence in Pakistan. Yet, we are not willing to grant the same significance to any claims made by neighbours against the very same intelligence agencies, which are under insufficient control. A discredited retired Pakistani general took on an aggressive tone on public television against claims made by the Indians of the involvement of militants operating within Pakistan. Without any evidence, he concluded that indigenous Indian militants carried out the attacks in Mumbai. No doubt that an attack of this nature cannot be carried out without local complicity, but to rule out any link to militant groups operating within Pakistan is unrealistic. The general explained that militancy was rife in India because of an environment of "suffocation." He has also pleaded for understanding the growth of militants in Pakistan on the justification that the root causes of all this was poverty and neglect. In his view, Indian militancy stems from "suffocation," while the Pakistani one result from being victims of economic deprivation. A balanced and transparent approach is urgently needed. India too needs to look into the effectiveness of its own security forces. However, that does not absolve the Pakistani government from ensuring that its territory is not used as a breeding ground for militants, where they can carry out terrorist activities. It is in no one's interest to let a handful of organised militants keep the entire region hostage and polarise its populations. The recent Mumbai terror attacks should be the turning point. Governments of the region are challenged to support an open and transparent investigation to identify and prosecute the masterminds behind such carnage. They must have the moral courage to face the truth and have the determination to inform the public accordingly. The current and persistent state of insecurity should be a wake-up call for the region. Governments should reinforce their commitment to dismantle all forms of international terrorism growing within the region. India and Pakistan have both experienced terrorism. It is not new to them. Yet, the implications of recent international terrorism are far more complex and damaging. The jihadi groups, suspected of carrying out the Mumbai attacks, are well-organised network with a perverse strategy, which is mercilessly used to extend their political agenda in the name of religion. It was apparent that they saw an opportunity to attack now, when the world was involved in a financial crisis and US distracted because of a transition period. The carnage in Mumbai has several advantages for them; they received international attention, they were able to demoralise those who challenge them, they succeeded in creating a wedge between the improving relationship of India and Pakistan, they brought themselves into a better bargaining position before the Obama administration takes over, and created a precarious situation for the fragile civilian government of Pakistan.
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