S.WAZIRISTAN: THE BURNING PARADISE

("FRONTIER POST" OF PESHAWAR---13-2-08)
Waziristan and world’s Romanticism
Said Muhammad Mahsud
It is, perhaps, too easy to romanticise Pakistan's tribal areas in general and Waziristan in particular, as the tribesmen live by an ancient code and their fierce defiance has secured famous victories against powerful enemies. The tribal areas are arid, dusty and cold. It is a rugged country and the mud-built houses, each one surrounded by high walls, are like forts. Nothing grows there and since they cannot farm, the tribesmen scratch a living from smuggling. They call it cross-border trade. Tribal culture still rests on principles that have been in place for centuries: revenge, honour, hospitality and a distinctly old-fashioned view of women. It is tempting to think that having preserved their way of life for so long, the tribesmen will resist change in the future. In truth, it is remarkable it has survived so long and as some of the more enlightened tribal leaders now accept, in a world of modern communication, their way of life is increasingly unsustainable. Many educated tribal men believe that drastic reforms are needed to bring the tribal areas up to par with the rest of the country. Recently, the government launched a new body, Fata Development Authority, for fast-track development. Meanwhile, human rights groups are pressing for changes to the judicial system. For the past 4 years or so, Waziristan has had the misfortune to be a very active frontline in America's war on terror. Under US pressure, the Pakistani government has deployed tens of thousands of soldiers and used aerial bombing to flush out a few hundred al-Qaeda suspects and foreign militants who found sanctuary there. After our president’s reassurance to U.S, that campaign looks set to continue for good. However, already the response has been ferocious. The local Taliban, fully supported by young Mahsuds and Waziris , have killed hundreds of Pakistani soldiers. The tribal elders in Waziristan can do little more than make forlorn appeals for negotiations. But the young Waziristani do not want to talk. Inspired by the local mullahs, they are vowing to fight. Songs now available in the markets in Waziristan spells out the danger of the army's decision to use force in there. "Waziristan has been broken into thousands of pieces," it says, "and each piece will raise the banner of Islam." The wheel has come full circle in South Waziristan. It has been a little over four and a half years since the launch of the military operation in areas dominated by the Mahsud tribe after the government had used similar tactics to force tribal militants to submit to state authority and expel foreign militants. Little wonder then that the military finds itself sucked into another operation in South Waziristan. The government has imposed a debilitating economic blockade on the Mahsud tribe and very little is coming out of the embattled zone in terms of information. It has caused the displacement of a large number of Mahsud tribesmen, including women and children, who had to walk on foot for miles to reach the relative safety of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan. They have left their homes unlocked just to get a safe refuge and while moving to safer place many have been imprisoned by the authorities and many have been facing serious problems. How these poor families live in different refugee camps, how many social or governmental organizations are helping them is a pathetic shameful story that will be discussed some other time. The battle for control in South Waziristan is critical. It is described as one of the most important frontlines in the fight against Islamic extremism, a new proxy war. It has implications both for the stability of President Musharraf's government and for the struggle for dominance in Afghanistan. Urged by the United States, which is increasingly alarmed by the situation, the Pakistani authorities are expanding their military forces there. But any gains on the ground will be hard won. Militants in the area are drawn from a cluster of local tribes and embedded in local communities. Waziristan was seen as a key place of refuge for many Taleban fighters, displaced from Afghanistan. There is still regular cross-border exchange of people, skills and weapons. So control of Waziristan is key to attempts to control Afghanistan. In the past, the Pakistan government cut deals with these tribal militants. But many now say that just gave the militants time to gain strength. The current military campaign though is proving very high risk. Pakistan's army is struggling with low morale. Many are dispirited by the loss of life - and the constant threat of ambush, kidnap and suicide attacks. Their disillusionment is dangerous for President Musharraf - who needs the army's support. A rising number of suicide attacks elsewhere in Pakistan - generally blamed on pro-Taleban militants - is also undermining public confidence in President Musharraf's handling of the crisis. It will be foolish if we consider Waziristan vulnerable. It has a rich history and has defeated every invader tried to invade. In 1842, a 17,000-strong British force was marching through the snow from Kabul to the Khyber Pass when the tribesmen struck. Legend has it that only one Briton, a doctor called William Brydon, got out alive. More recently, when the tribesmen fought in Afghanistan, they humbled the mighty Soviet Union for years, using little more than Kalashnikovs against helicopter gun ships. And they have also resisted interference from their own, Pakistani, government. Pakistani law applies only on the main roads in the tribal areas. Step off the road and your fate is decided by traditional tribal rules interpreted in a jirga, or meeting of tribal elders. If Pakistan army wants to take control of Waziristan (the burning paradise) it has to revise its strategy, the policy of force and war that will bring no fruit but ultimate destruction and trouble to the whole country. This war has never been a struggle for Pakistan or Islam but for some personal gains with some old notions. It is the time for both Mullahs and Military to maintain peace and stop terrorizing innocent people as they both are responsible for securing our geographical ideological borders otherwise we will go to dogs, having no name on the surface of this planet. Today every Pakistani is in catch-22 situation and has been pushed to a cul-de-sac. As Matthew Arnold says, “Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, Where ignorant armies clash by night.” almahsud@hotmail.com