Opinion Editorials, October 2007
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Pakistani Military Operation against FATA Tribes
By Gangly Khan
Mandi Bahauddin
October 18, 2007
Military operation against FATA tribes at the instance of USA amounts killing innocent Pakistani by own army without any blame against them. After the creation of Pakistan, a series of jirgas were held in the Tribal Agencies in November 1947. The tribal elders opted for attachment of the Tribal Agencies to Pakistan. They then organized themselves in a lashker and marched to Kashmir where they fought for liberation of Kashmir. They have been defending western borders of the country as un-paid soldiers. Their services to the nation are meritorious. They are as good or bad citizens as any other Pakistani. Their loyalty and love for Pakistan can't be questioned.
As regards the foreigners' militants staying in the tribal areas, they left their home lands and came here in 1979 to fight against Russians when they invaded Afghanistan. Our Government settled them in tribal areas where they have been residing since then. By now they have attained status as citizens of Pakistan. They are neither against Pakistan, nor have they any ill designs against the people of Pakistan. Continuing operation against them will yield no positive results for the stability and integrity of the country.
Blame against them is that they infiltrate into Afghanistan and launch raids against pro American forces. In this respect it should be the duty of Afghan Government to make tight arrangements on the border with deployment of forces to check infiltration. So far our government is concerned, if some one violates legal procedures for going abroad, he should be dealt with for that offence under the law. Besides, our government should take appropriate measures to block supply of logistic support including heavy weapons and ammunitions to them. This is no solution to resort killing innocent citizens including children and females with artillery and air bombardment and turn our own land in battlefield.
The people of tribal areas are part of us. They have their own traditions. They are self respecting citizens and are famous for possessing a fierce courage and aggressiveness to fight to defend their freedom. Use of brutal force against them will not be good for our country in the long run. People feel deeply grieved when news of their killing reaches them. They also feel pain when dead bodies of jawans of army felling casualties in the so called operation are buried. Please stop it. USA will not compensate the loss our nation is suffering. It is unbearable now. If reconciliation can be made with corrupt politicians after dropping against them criminal cases, why not that measure be followed with tribal people. This requires consideration and deep deliberation on the part of rulers and other responsible people whose advice matters to them. Short-cut like military operation will not work to make tribes subservient. History is witness to this fact.
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