IN the near past Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan ruled the roost in Swat Malakand and many other parts of the Waziristan agencies. Sufi Mohammed of the Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi and his blood thirsty son in law Maulana Fazalullah were a power to reckon with. It is also a fact of our history that the entire valley of Swat was legally handed over to the blood thirsty goons of the TTP by the National assembly of Pakistan through the Nizam-i-Adl resolution.
Today Pakistan is in the grip of a deadly political and economic crisis but at the same time the creeping menace of the Taliban is once again raising its ugly head to threaten the very existence of the state. The dramatic exit of the US from Afghanistan and the return to power of the Taliban in that country has once again given a new lease of life to the TTP and it has emboldened them to challenge the security forces of Pakistan and restart their nefarious and damaging activities and once again try to impose their version of the Islamic Shariah through the barrel of a gun in Pakistan. Since after the Taliban takeover in Kabul dozens of Pakistani soldiers have lost their lives at the hands of the TTP but due to the ugly political and economic crisis the news of the sacrifices being made by our gallant soldiers while defending the homeland are not getting the attention it deserves in our media or even in the social media.
The new Taliban Govt. in Kabul has remained oblivious to the activities of the TTP and allowed them to operate from the soil of Afghanistan to launch cross border raids on Pakistan and run back to their safe havens inside Afghanistan. After facing the renewed attacks of the TTP the Govt. of Pakistan warned the Afghan Govt. that if they do not control the TTP in their own areas Pakistan will be forced to take action even if they have to cross over into Afghan territory in pursuit of the TTP militants. This serious warning seems to have taken effect and then we have seen a marked decrease in the TTP activities in Pakistan. Today unfortunately the Govt. and the opposition parties are so badly locked in a serious battle for political power that nobody seems to be aware of this threat and the problem of the TTP has been placed on the back burner.
The most recent ruler of the country is Imran Khan who was ousted from power by a democratic process of a vote of no confidence. He has always been a great supporter and admirer of the Taliban. He had advocated very passionately that the Taliban should be permitted to open offices in Pakistan, was nominated officially by Taliban high command to represent them in any talks with the Govt. of Pakistan and now when the Taliban took control of Kabul he had happily announced that the Taliban “have broken the shackles of slavery” After the tragic happenings of 9th May most stalwarts of the PTI have parted ways with Imran Khan after disapproving with the happenings of 9thMay. Imran Khans bigger than life ego prevented him to look beyond the tip of his nose. He exhibited basic disregard for democratic norms and his categorical refusal to even talk to the opposition leaders weakened the democratic institutions and strengthened the power of the military manifold.
Good governance means performance based politics and any reliance on the support of the military establishment weakens democracy. Present and future Govt. in Pakistan must make it a hallmark of their policy to focus on improving the security situation. The greatest threat to the nation is not from any foreign enemy but from our very own home grown religious fanatics like the TTP and all their supporter’s aiders and abettors.
The TTP and all other militant groups have to be dealt with as enemies of the state and totally exterminated from the sacred soil of the country. TTP activities are increasing and their supporters are once again gaining strength. Along with the need to eradicate militancy it is the economic betterment and political awareness of the people that needs immediate and serious attention. All political leaders should now realize that the need of the hour is immediate and transparent elections to elect a govt. capable of dealing with the creeping menace of the blood thirsty goons of the Taliban.
The economy is on the brink of collapse and the Govt. is hoping for an IMF bailout package and the rather sheepish response of the Finance Minister is not helping the country at all. Date for a fair and free election must be announced immediately. Just another election may not be sufficient to get the country out of the present troubles but it will be a beginning for political party once in power to focus completely on improving the economy and dealing effectively with the deadly threat posed by the religious fanatics and their supporters.
The government should focus on institutional development and avoid fritting away national resources and valuable time in pulling opponents down. Placing the country in the hands of a political party or a coalition that enjoys the support of the people would help in steering the country in these difficult times. For this, we need free and fair elections.
—The writer is Professor of History, based in Islamabad.
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