The districts of South Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa—Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, North and South Waziristan as well as other former tribal areas—and their people face an anarchic situation in which the life of every resident is at risk. Kidnappings of government servants, ransom cases, killing of security personnel and the circulation of their murder videos on social media to terrorize the local population have become routine occurrences. Every day, Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan, Brigade Commander Brigadier Umair and Commissioner Bannu Captain ® Khalid Mehmood carry the coffins of officers and jawans who have laid down their lives protecting the people and property from seditious elements. They also visit families, offering condolences to children and relatives of these martyrs.
The daily sacrifice of these sons of the soil is a stark rebuke to leaders who poison society by labeling this war against militants as a ‘Dollar War’ or a ‘Proxy War’. Such sweeping statements are beyond comprehension. Recent incidents—including the November attacks on Cadet College South Waziristan, the ambush of a police van, the brutal killing of five civilians in the Gurguri area of Karak and numerous other attacks on civilians and security installations—are deeply alarming. It is absurd to claim that security forces are engaged in killing their own proxies or vice versa. Security operations are not accompanied by gestures of goodwill toward enemies. Ironically, local representatives make grandiose claims and deliver sentimental and misleading speeches from the comfort of their drawing rooms, misguiding the common people. The indifference of local elected and non-elected leadership toward the security situation is deeply concerning.
Several longstanding obstacles hinder the securitization of these areas. First, the people of South KP, particularly in Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Waziristan, lack effective leadership. Moreover, elected members of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the National Assembly representing these regions pay little attention to local security, remaining embroiled in political confrontations. Second, numerous pseudo-leaders have emerged, none willing to negotiate with militants or compel them to vacate their areas. Third, the development of these regions remains a low priority for local elites. Fourth, local youth have joined militant groups, as confirmed by several elders in public gatherings (Jirgas), who have also voiced their disapproval of these misguided youths.
Fifth, the terrain is vast, mountainous and desert-like, with dense bush cover, making it impossible for limited police and security forces to pursue militants effectively. Sixth, militants’ camouflage and intermingling with the local population complicate security efforts. Seventh, the population has been misled by the rhetoric of “collateral damage,” fueling anti-security sentiments. Current intelligence-based operations employ modern weapons and drones to ensure precise targeting of high-value militants wherever they are found. According to the Pakistan Penal Code and the Pakhtoon code of conduct, sheltering criminals or enemies is unacceptable; accomplices face the same penalties. The Pakhtoon code considers offering refuge to enemies as equally abominable and both parties are treated as adversaries. In such situations, drone technology targets militants and their accomplices indiscriminately and without bias. Additionally, pseudo-nationalist elements who politicize security hinder peace-building efforts.
Unfortunately, political leaders outside the government now frequently hold gatherings across the country, openly criticizing government policies. Some of these parties were part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which launched a confrontational campaign against the PTI-led central government, succeeded in ousting Imran Khan as Prime Minister and formed an interim coalition government. Now, these same leaders shed crocodile tears alongside PTI. In this anarchic security environment, the local population must rise against militants, following the Bajaur model, in which local people, along with elected and non-elected leaders, took up arms, negotiated with militants and warned them to vacate their areas. Meanwhile, security forces continued surgical strikes against these militants. Otherwise, security forces may have no option but to launch indiscriminate, full-scale kinetic operations.
Citizens must understand that security is essential for every Pakistani and should not be politicized. Security forces must not be demoralized for political gains. Local elders, elected representatives and the population must set aside differences and join hands with security forces to ensure their own safety.
—The writer is Chairman & Security Expert, Department of Political Science, Islamia College Peshawar.
