Last week, four significant developments occured in Pakistan: the army’s operation against terrorists in Shawal valley; the passing of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Bill in the Punjab Assembly; the Joint Investigation Team (JIT)’s report on the Baldia Town tragedy and Asif Ali Zardari’s statement about General Raheel Sharif’s retirement decision.
These four new developments are of paramount importance and significance as they will have lasting impact on the history of Pakistan.
n On Wednesday, February 24, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to march on the last bastion of terrorists in the Shawal valley of North Waziristan to take operation Zarb-e-Azb to its logical end.
“Commence forthwith the last phase of the operation which aims at clearing remnants of terrorists from their hideouts in deeply forested ravines, isolate them and indiscriminately sever their links with their abettors everywhere across the country,” he was quoted as saying to the troops during a visit to Shawal.
General Sharif was informed that the deeply forested ravines of Shawal valley and the area ahead of Dattakhel, which had been frequent infiltration routes of terrorists between Pakistan and Afghanistan, were their last bastion left in North Waziristan, the ISPR said.
According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the army chief visited the valley along the Afghan border to review progress of the operation. The operation commander briefed him about operational gains so far and the impending actions in the area, the statement said.
The ISPR said the army chief expressed complete satisfaction over the gains and effects of the operations and acknowledged the resolve of the troops to eliminate terrorists in their last sanctuary. Addressing troops participating in the operation, he commended their high state of morale and paid rich tributes to their resilience and sacrifices. He said the sacrifices of the soldiers would not go in waste and the ultimate goal of a terrorism-free Pakistan would be achieved.
The operation in Shawal Valley and the area ahead of Dattakhel will not be easy for the Pakistan army as it is full of deeply forested ravines. According to reports, on February 27, at least 19 suspected militants were killed in the Shawal area near the Pak-Afghan border, while four security personnel, including Captain Umair, also lost their lives.
On February 28, General Raheel Sharif attended the funeral of Captain Umair and also visited those injured during the ongoing phase of the operation at the Combined Military Hospital.
Speaking on behalf of the COAS, DG ISPR Asim Bajwa said “the Army was determined to eliminate terrorists from every nook and corner in the country".
There is no doubt that the army of Pakistan is one of the best armies in the world. Now that the army has launched its operation in Shawal Valley it will with determination crush terrorists and destroy their hideouts in this very difficult area. The army has already proved its exemplary valour and professionalism by its success in the on-going operation Zarb-e-Azb.
According to official statements, “over 3,500 militants have been killed in the operation, while the offensive forced over a million civilians to vacate their homes and move to settled areas of the country”.
The government has also accepted the suggestion of the army and formed the National Action Plan (NAP) after the APS attack in Peshawar. According to reports, “a total of 2,159 terrorists have been killed and 1,724 arrested by the law enforcement agencies under the National Action Plan (NAP). The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control presented an achievement report about NAP in the National Assembly on January 15, which stated that 332 persons had been executed so far under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The report stated that 98.3 million SIMs had been blocked for dismantling communication networks of the terrorists.
The report stated that 2,337 cases were registered for hate speeches and material and 2,195 persons were arrested while 73 shops were sealed.
Likewise, 9,164 cases were registered, 9,340 persons were arrested and 2,452 pieces of equipment confiscated for misuse of loudspeakers.
Similarly, target killing in Karachi decreased to 53 per cent, murder incidents declined to 50pc, terrorism incidents came down by 80pc, dacoity 30pc and extortion by 56pc in the biggest city of the country due to the Rangers’ operation.
A total of 69,179 criminals, 890 terrorists, 676 proclaimed offenders, 10,426 absconders, 124 kidnappers, 545 extortionists and 1,834 murderers were also apprehended and 16,306 weapons seized during the Karachi operation.
These reports clearly manifest that terrorists are losing their war in Pakistan. The army is determined to defeat extremism in the country. But, our government is not willing to implement NAP fully across the country. The government should keep aside its partisan interests and implement NAP fully in the country. The government should activate the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and establish a Joint Intelligence Directorate immediately.
n The Punjab Assembly has passed the Protection of Women Against Violence Bill which is a very good development regarding the protection of women’s rights in Pakistan.The other three provinces should also follow this example and introduce such bills in their provinces. The Protection of Women Against Violence Bill 2015 defines “violence to include domestic violence, sexual violence, psychological and emotional abuse, economic abuse, stalking and cyber crime, as well as abetment of such acts”. This bill has many other good things. “Some of the stipulated measures include a dedicated toll-free number to lodge complaints, protection officers to inform defendants of complaints against them, protection centres, shelter homes and expedited court proceedings. Moreover, the legislation makes provision for practical hurdles, such as sanctioning alleged perpetrators of violence if they offer resistance to protection officers. It also takes into account the cultural realities that make women dependent upon their spouses in various aspects.”
The progressive segments of society are welcoming this bill while the right wing and religious leaders are criticising it very severely. Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (Fazl) chief Fazlur Rehman has described it as an NGO-driven legislation, saying “NGOs follow the West for their pecuniary interests”.
Fazl said that this law seeks to intrude into the privacy of every individual and it would adversely impact Pakistan’s strong family structure which is something lacking in the West. “Husband and wife are considered partners in the West, but it is not the case in Pakistan,” he said and explained that the protection offered under this law is already available in the existing laws. “Islam gives respect to women in a manner that no other law in the world ensures,” said the JUI-F chief, adding that “this [new] law makes a man insecure”.Fazl wondered “it is the same PML-N which didn’t sign pro-women legislation in Musharraf era but now it has gone many steps further to introduce a controversial law. What kind of distortion is this and what does it want to make of Pakistan?” He added “It is an attempt to make Pakistan a colony again”.
Before Fazlur Rehman, a religious leader, Mufti Naeem had also termed the bill a “tragedy”, stating that it goes against the principles of Islam. So, the divide between the right and left will be increased in the coming days. But, we should keep this thing in mind that no society can make progress without giving and protecting rights to women. The media should play its role in educating the people on the issue.
n The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has revealed very tragic and astounding facts about the 2012 deadly inferno that engulfed a garment factory in Baldia Town in Karachi killing over 200 workers. According to the report, “it was an organised act of terror and in-charge of the garment factory’s furnishing department Zubair was involved in setting the factory ablaze. Plastic bags full of explosive chemical was thrown in the factory for that purpose”.
It also revealed that Rehman Bhola and Hamad Siddiqui ordered the terrorist act after the factory owners refused to give them partnership and extortion money. Following the bail, Arshad Bhaila and Shahid Bhaila — owners of the garment factory — were pressurized by a Karachi-based political party to pay off Rs59.8 million to victims’ families by depositing it in the party's bank account after the Bhaila brothers contacted Anees Qaimkhani’s close aide Mohammad Ali Hasan in this regard, said the report. Hasan Qadir and Anees Qaimkhani’s adopted son Dr. Abdul Sattar has the mentioned money, it added. The report recommended lodging a case under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and anti-terrorism act against Rehman Bhola, Hamad Siddiqui and Zubair among others involved in the heinous crime.
It also recommended bringing back all absconders from abroad and their names be included in the Exit Control List (ECL).”
It is the duty of the government and state to give protection to its people. No state can survive without giving equal and speedy justice to its people. The government and law enforcement agencies must do the utmost to bring the culprits back and an exemplary punishment must be given them. The MQM should also abandon its policy of violence in Karachi, if it wants to survive as a real political and democratic party.
n Asif Ali Zardari, former president of Pakistan has surprised many people in Pakistan by issuing a statement regarding Army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s retirement. In this statement, he asked the chief to reconsider his decision to retire in November. It is a very astonishing statement because Zardari had spoken against the army very openly last year. No one knows the real reasons behind this statement. But one thing is clear that the PPP is not functioning coherently, because its leader is not in Pakistan. Zardari is trying to run the PPP’s affairs from self-exile. This statement also sheds light on the decay and weakness of the party that had been in power at the centre less than three years ago and that still governs Sind.
These four new developments are of paramount importance and significance as they will have lasting impact on the history of Pakistan.
n On Wednesday, February 24, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to march on the last bastion of terrorists in the Shawal valley of North Waziristan to take operation Zarb-e-Azb to its logical end.
“Commence forthwith the last phase of the operation which aims at clearing remnants of terrorists from their hideouts in deeply forested ravines, isolate them and indiscriminately sever their links with their abettors everywhere across the country,” he was quoted as saying to the troops during a visit to Shawal.
General Sharif was informed that the deeply forested ravines of Shawal valley and the area ahead of Dattakhel, which had been frequent infiltration routes of terrorists between Pakistan and Afghanistan, were their last bastion left in North Waziristan, the ISPR said.
According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the army chief visited the valley along the Afghan border to review progress of the operation. The operation commander briefed him about operational gains so far and the impending actions in the area, the statement said.
The ISPR said the army chief expressed complete satisfaction over the gains and effects of the operations and acknowledged the resolve of the troops to eliminate terrorists in their last sanctuary. Addressing troops participating in the operation, he commended their high state of morale and paid rich tributes to their resilience and sacrifices. He said the sacrifices of the soldiers would not go in waste and the ultimate goal of a terrorism-free Pakistan would be achieved.
The operation in Shawal Valley and the area ahead of Dattakhel will not be easy for the Pakistan army as it is full of deeply forested ravines. According to reports, on February 27, at least 19 suspected militants were killed in the Shawal area near the Pak-Afghan border, while four security personnel, including Captain Umair, also lost their lives.
On February 28, General Raheel Sharif attended the funeral of Captain Umair and also visited those injured during the ongoing phase of the operation at the Combined Military Hospital.
Speaking on behalf of the COAS, DG ISPR Asim Bajwa said “the Army was determined to eliminate terrorists from every nook and corner in the country".
There is no doubt that the army of Pakistan is one of the best armies in the world. Now that the army has launched its operation in Shawal Valley it will with determination crush terrorists and destroy their hideouts in this very difficult area. The army has already proved its exemplary valour and professionalism by its success in the on-going operation Zarb-e-Azb.
According to official statements, “over 3,500 militants have been killed in the operation, while the offensive forced over a million civilians to vacate their homes and move to settled areas of the country”.
The government has also accepted the suggestion of the army and formed the National Action Plan (NAP) after the APS attack in Peshawar. According to reports, “a total of 2,159 terrorists have been killed and 1,724 arrested by the law enforcement agencies under the National Action Plan (NAP). The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control presented an achievement report about NAP in the National Assembly on January 15, which stated that 332 persons had been executed so far under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
The report stated that 98.3 million SIMs had been blocked for dismantling communication networks of the terrorists.
The report stated that 2,337 cases were registered for hate speeches and material and 2,195 persons were arrested while 73 shops were sealed.
Likewise, 9,164 cases were registered, 9,340 persons were arrested and 2,452 pieces of equipment confiscated for misuse of loudspeakers.
Similarly, target killing in Karachi decreased to 53 per cent, murder incidents declined to 50pc, terrorism incidents came down by 80pc, dacoity 30pc and extortion by 56pc in the biggest city of the country due to the Rangers’ operation.
A total of 69,179 criminals, 890 terrorists, 676 proclaimed offenders, 10,426 absconders, 124 kidnappers, 545 extortionists and 1,834 murderers were also apprehended and 16,306 weapons seized during the Karachi operation.
These reports clearly manifest that terrorists are losing their war in Pakistan. The army is determined to defeat extremism in the country. But, our government is not willing to implement NAP fully across the country. The government should keep aside its partisan interests and implement NAP fully in the country. The government should activate the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and establish a Joint Intelligence Directorate immediately.
n The Punjab Assembly has passed the Protection of Women Against Violence Bill which is a very good development regarding the protection of women’s rights in Pakistan.The other three provinces should also follow this example and introduce such bills in their provinces. The Protection of Women Against Violence Bill 2015 defines “violence to include domestic violence, sexual violence, psychological and emotional abuse, economic abuse, stalking and cyber crime, as well as abetment of such acts”. This bill has many other good things. “Some of the stipulated measures include a dedicated toll-free number to lodge complaints, protection officers to inform defendants of complaints against them, protection centres, shelter homes and expedited court proceedings. Moreover, the legislation makes provision for practical hurdles, such as sanctioning alleged perpetrators of violence if they offer resistance to protection officers. It also takes into account the cultural realities that make women dependent upon their spouses in various aspects.”
The progressive segments of society are welcoming this bill while the right wing and religious leaders are criticising it very severely. Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (Fazl) chief Fazlur Rehman has described it as an NGO-driven legislation, saying “NGOs follow the West for their pecuniary interests”.
Fazl said that this law seeks to intrude into the privacy of every individual and it would adversely impact Pakistan’s strong family structure which is something lacking in the West. “Husband and wife are considered partners in the West, but it is not the case in Pakistan,” he said and explained that the protection offered under this law is already available in the existing laws. “Islam gives respect to women in a manner that no other law in the world ensures,” said the JUI-F chief, adding that “this [new] law makes a man insecure”.Fazl wondered “it is the same PML-N which didn’t sign pro-women legislation in Musharraf era but now it has gone many steps further to introduce a controversial law. What kind of distortion is this and what does it want to make of Pakistan?” He added “It is an attempt to make Pakistan a colony again”.
Before Fazlur Rehman, a religious leader, Mufti Naeem had also termed the bill a “tragedy”, stating that it goes against the principles of Islam. So, the divide between the right and left will be increased in the coming days. But, we should keep this thing in mind that no society can make progress without giving and protecting rights to women. The media should play its role in educating the people on the issue.
n The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has revealed very tragic and astounding facts about the 2012 deadly inferno that engulfed a garment factory in Baldia Town in Karachi killing over 200 workers. According to the report, “it was an organised act of terror and in-charge of the garment factory’s furnishing department Zubair was involved in setting the factory ablaze. Plastic bags full of explosive chemical was thrown in the factory for that purpose”.
It also revealed that Rehman Bhola and Hamad Siddiqui ordered the terrorist act after the factory owners refused to give them partnership and extortion money. Following the bail, Arshad Bhaila and Shahid Bhaila — owners of the garment factory — were pressurized by a Karachi-based political party to pay off Rs59.8 million to victims’ families by depositing it in the party's bank account after the Bhaila brothers contacted Anees Qaimkhani’s close aide Mohammad Ali Hasan in this regard, said the report. Hasan Qadir and Anees Qaimkhani’s adopted son Dr. Abdul Sattar has the mentioned money, it added. The report recommended lodging a case under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and anti-terrorism act against Rehman Bhola, Hamad Siddiqui and Zubair among others involved in the heinous crime.
It also recommended bringing back all absconders from abroad and their names be included in the Exit Control List (ECL).”
It is the duty of the government and state to give protection to its people. No state can survive without giving equal and speedy justice to its people. The government and law enforcement agencies must do the utmost to bring the culprits back and an exemplary punishment must be given them. The MQM should also abandon its policy of violence in Karachi, if it wants to survive as a real political and democratic party.
n Asif Ali Zardari, former president of Pakistan has surprised many people in Pakistan by issuing a statement regarding Army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s retirement. In this statement, he asked the chief to reconsider his decision to retire in November. It is a very astonishing statement because Zardari had spoken against the army very openly last year. No one knows the real reasons behind this statement. But one thing is clear that the PPP is not functioning coherently, because its leader is not in Pakistan. Zardari is trying to run the PPP’s affairs from self-exile. This statement also sheds light on the decay and weakness of the party that had been in power at the centre less than three years ago and that still governs Sind.
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