POST 30 August 202 security dynamics in KP have changed and the global powers and their allies have once again left Pakistan, leaving its people at the mercy of God and its defence forces to counter the remnants of various terrorist splinter groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban and insurgent groups in Balochistan. In addition, the once surrendered militants also raised their heads and started criminal activities in various parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and especially in Southern Districts of the province. Unfortunately, these groups enjoy the active and passive support from some elements in the local population. In the former case, the local population provides shelter to these groups. In the latter case, the local population observes silence on their activities and avoids sharing information about such criminal elements despite the fact that these elements are known to them. Such internal security threats and unabated attacks on security forces are serious issues.
On May 16th 2024, the ceremony of Change of Command in 11 Cops Headquarters took place wherein the all-rounder Corps Commander Lt Gen Sardar Azhar Hayat after completion of his service handed over the Command to his successor Lt Gen Umar Ahmad Bukhari. The new Corps Commander of 11 Corps Peshawar has chequered professional history and has been awarded various awards including the prestigious Sword of Honour in Pakistan Military Academy. He also served as the 14th Director General of Rangers, Sindh. He also served as Commandant PMA. He was recently elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed as the Corps Commander of 11 Corps.
It is worth mentioning that politics and security are dynamic concepts in nature. Political and security cultures are subject to change. The new Commander will confront some political and security challenges. First, he has a non-conducive and confrontational political culture in KP. The Governor and Chief Minister are at daggers drawn and engaged in exchange of highly harsh and non-parliamentary words against each other which seems ultra-political and undemocratic in nature. Secondly, the Federal Government also exhibits an ultra-irresponsible and unconstitutional approach for the people and government of KP by denying their constitutional financial shares as distributed through the National Finance Commission. This approach of the federal government is extremely disastrous in nature. It will alienate the two major political parties, PML (N) and PPP from the people of KP as the general public demonstrated their resentment in the February 2024 general election. PML (N) leadership and PPP leadership badly failed to feel the pulses of common man in KP. These parties continue to engage in political manipulation, disregarding the mandate of the KP people. This approach will bounce back in future and may lead to political chaos. This also creates hurdles in the way of both political and military leadership in KP to counter militancy, terrorism, and other criminal activities in the province. Likewise, the hate speech on part of the Chief Executive of KP is also alarming; and his regime needs to observe political discourse to resolve fundamental issues of electors.
The people of KP have attached expectations with the Commander of 11 Corps like: 1) to bring harmony between the KP and Federal Governments; 2) to play the role of a bridge between the PTI-led government in the KP and military leadership; 3) To counter anti-military sentiments among population and counter such nefarious lethal propaganda against Pakistan army and intelligence agencies; 4) to address the grievances of the people of Merged Districts and funding the rehabilitation projects in those areas; 5) to launch intelligence-based operations in various security sensitive districts of KP; 6) To strengthen police force in KP with supply of logistic and arms support; and 7) To bridge the gap between armed forces and communities and to disseminate a sense of ownership among them.
In the prevailing global and regional strategic environment and strategic culture, the collective approach of both political and military leadership is followed. The Constitution of Pakistan also provides a provision to assist the civilian government whenever the latter requires. In a nutshell, political leadership at provincial and federal levels must join hands with their security agencies to counter internal and external security threats and to bring back peace and prosperity to the people of Pakistan and KP especially.
—The writer is Chairman, Department of Political Science, Islamia College Peshawar.
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