THE prevailing global and regional strategic environment has severely affected the security dynamics in Pakistan. The security forces and intelligence agencies of Pakistan are engaged in countering external as well as internal security threats. On a daily basis the personnel of security forces are being targeted. Among all these gruesome target killing, the martyrdom of 2nd Lt Arif Ullah (who was on leave) in his native town Lakki Marwat is heart wrenching.
It is astonishing that Pakhtoon Tahaffuz Movement along with some resented elements held a gathering under the banner of “Pakhtoon Qaumi Jirga (PQJ)” on October 11, 2024. The concept of Jirga is rooted in the Pakhtoon Code of Conduct and also once enjoyed a legal status under Section-5 of the Frontier Crimes Regulations, 1901. Moreover, it plays a role of a reconciliation forum for dispute resolution and resolving other local petty issues of the local populace. In that Jirga, a list of demands was presented to National Assembly. PQJ called for: i) Withdrawal of security forces as well as “good and bad” Taliban from the region within two months; ii) Relaxing trade regime with Afghanistan; iii) Guarantying local population’s first rights to the region’s resources; iv) Uninterrupted supply of cheap electricity; v) Steps to establish representative jirgas for the resolution of inter-tribal disputes; vi) End to extortion; vii) Resettlement of persons displaced by terrorism and military operations; viii) End to military interference in politics; ix) A complete ban on the practice of Swara; x) Formation of a judicial commission to inquire into the killing of PTM workers in the days leading up to the Jirga. The way it projects these demands and the approach it adopted towards the State and its apparatus is questionable.
It was paradoxical that one side KP Government hosted the PQJ (despite ban by the federal government on the PTM on October 6 and declared as a Proscribed Organisation and “unlawful” under Section 11-B of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997); and other side on 9 October, police opened fire on the organisers that resulted into three deaths and at least ten wounded. It must be kept in mind that: 1) Police comes under Provincial government; 2) Swara is a socio-cultural norm and the Provincial Government can legislate to ban and discourage this practice; 3) Militancy is high and militants are actively engaged in kidnapping for extortion; 4) Hoisting of Afghanistan’s flag in PQJ was beyond understanding; 5) The slogan of ‘Lar and bar’ Pakhtoon in that PQJ in Pakistan was also illogical; 6) Under Article 245 of 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, defence forces in Pakistan and their Chiefs have constitutional status and also enjoyed constitutional immunity with respect to security of the country. PTM leadership are constantly engaged in anti-Pakistan army slogans which is the gross-violation of Constitution of Pakistan.
Ironically, neither the KP Government nor the PTM leadership acknowledge the sacrifices and services of the security forces in restoration of peace in the region. On many occasions, CM Ali Amin Gandapur never bothered to attend the funeral ceremony of soldiers. In such odd security dynamics, Lt Gen Omer Bukhari, Commander of 11 Corps, has followed a comprehensive Security Policy and succeeded to meet the expectations of people of KP to optimum level like: 1) To counter anti-military sentiments among population and counter such nefarious lethal propaganda against Pakistan army and intelligence agencies; 2) to address the grievances of the people of Merged Districts and funding the rehabilitation projects in those areas; 3) to launch intelligence-based operations in various security sensitive districts of KP; 4) To strengthen police force in KP with supply of logistic and arms support; and 5) To bridge the gap between defence forces and communities and to disseminate a sense of ownership among them through various interactive sessions.
Since January 1, 2024, under the charismatic leadership of Gen Bukhari, the security forces and agencies have successfully launched Joint Intelligence-Based Operations in which 588 Proclaimed Terrorist leaders were killed. More than 200 terrorists were arrested in Peshawar; and confiscated heavy arms, ammunition and suicide jackets. In addition, more than 300 terrorists and their abettors were injured in these IBOs. For restoration of peace, 429 personnel of Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Police, general public and other security agencies rendered the sacrifices of their lives; while 789 personnel were injured. In such circumstances, the services of the Brigade Commanders under the leadership of Maj Gen Zufiqar Ali Bhatti of 9th Division and Maj Gen Iftikhar Warriach of 7th Division are undeniable.
The Regional Police Officer Imran Shahid also performed an excellent job to restore the morale of Bannu Division Police. He assumed charge in such circumstances wherein the police was disappeared from Security Check-posts. He also established liaison between his office and general public and local leaders. This helped in restoring the confidence of general public on police. Similarly, the posting of professional police officer, Irfan Ullah Khan, is also a sagacious decision of police high-ups.The need of the hour is that the KP Government must show responsibility to join hands with defence forces and security agencies to beat the scourge of militancy and terrorism. Its non-cooperative approach and day-to-day protests will erode public confidence on PTI-led Government and it will dash to the ground the dream of its founder Imran Khan. The poor bread-earners of KP cannot afford such protests. The KP government needs to revisit its political and security policy in the best interest of its electors and party.
—The writer is Chairman, Department of Political Science, Islamia College Peshawar.
