The imposition of the Nizam e Adal and the peace deal has raised question marks in the minds of the liberals, and there is much debate about it, mostly fueled by ideas and not facts.
It has to be seen in the light of the circumstances within Swat. After fighting a war for more than a year, we have finally realized that we can not afford this war in terms of the human costs we have to pay for it. The collateral damage and displacement figures are unacceptable. Furthermore, the presence of the external agencies implies that there is no end to this war. This was a trap set by our enemies, and we fell right into it. These elements don’t want the war to end. They are fighting it on our ground, using our people, it is an ideal situation for them and they will not let go. It is up to us to realize this and bail out, before further damage is done.
The media and the intelegentzia had taken quite a stand on the Swat issue, while President Musharraf was in office, and criticized him for sending the army to the valley. There were calls for talks and negotiations before the military should be used. Now in a turn of events it is the same people who criticize the peace deal on the basis of ideological grounds. The media insists on pointing its barrels in the direction of the most sensational issues, without taking in consideration the implications for the country. The deal is a need of the time, and apparently our only way out of war. This is the non military solution that everyone wanted, so what is the hue and cry about? There may be skepticism on the content of the deal, but the deal itself has to be given a chance.
People may have apprehensions about this deal, but this lush valley has been turned into a hell zone, and looking at the background, there is no other choice but to welcome this peace deal. It is easy to sit in air conditioned offices in Islamabad and point out principles, but the situation on ground is that this war must end. We are fighting it on home ground, losing Pakistani lives, and no matter how many people die, we lose on both sides. There are many elements that don’t want the deal to work, and many odds are against it, but we can only hope for it to provide a solution…for the sake of the people of Swat..
It has to be seen in the light of the circumstances within Swat. After fighting a war for more than a year, we have finally realized that we can not afford this war in terms of the human costs we have to pay for it. The collateral damage and displacement figures are unacceptable. Furthermore, the presence of the external agencies implies that there is no end to this war. This was a trap set by our enemies, and we fell right into it. These elements don’t want the war to end. They are fighting it on our ground, using our people, it is an ideal situation for them and they will not let go. It is up to us to realize this and bail out, before further damage is done.
The media and the intelegentzia had taken quite a stand on the Swat issue, while President Musharraf was in office, and criticized him for sending the army to the valley. There were calls for talks and negotiations before the military should be used. Now in a turn of events it is the same people who criticize the peace deal on the basis of ideological grounds. The media insists on pointing its barrels in the direction of the most sensational issues, without taking in consideration the implications for the country. The deal is a need of the time, and apparently our only way out of war. This is the non military solution that everyone wanted, so what is the hue and cry about? There may be skepticism on the content of the deal, but the deal itself has to be given a chance.
People may have apprehensions about this deal, but this lush valley has been turned into a hell zone, and looking at the background, there is no other choice but to welcome this peace deal. It is easy to sit in air conditioned offices in Islamabad and point out principles, but the situation on ground is that this war must end. We are fighting it on home ground, losing Pakistani lives, and no matter how many people die, we lose on both sides. There are many elements that don’t want the deal to work, and many odds are against it, but we can only hope for it to provide a solution…for the sake of the people of Swat..
