I read an article a couple of days back that quoted some Taliban as saying they could never disarm, regardless of agreements. The cause: Pakhtunwali.
The Taliban killed a lot of Pakhtoons from the FATA in their campaign. They killed Pakhtoon from the security forces, they killed Pakhtoons from pro-government militias, they killed Pakhtoons they accused of being spies.
The Pakhtunwali code, though, obliges the family and tribe of someone killed to obtain revenge. The Taliban fighters argued that if they disarmed and surrendered their weapons, they would be unable to defend themselves against those whose honour demands vengeance against the Taliban.
Which creates a catch-22: The government will, justifiably, not consider there to be peace until the Taliban is disarmed. The Taliban will not disarm because they claim they fear vengance. But as long as the Taliban remained armed, they will be a challenge to government authority, and will have the capability to spread out and attack other regions as they did during the Swat peace.
It appears that since the taliban cannot willingly disarm, then the only way is to pry the weapons out of their cold, dead, fingers.
Re: Does Pakhtunwali mean that the Taliban can never disarm?
I am sure by "disarm" govt means heavy arms like Rocket launchers and others. As per pakhtoon custom, I am sure they will be allowed to keep KK and I am sure Govt is not worried about that too much either. Cause of concern are the heavy arm and the source they are getting it from.
Re: Does Pakhtunwali mean that the Taliban can never disarm?
Pashtunwali is dead, even deader than a door-knob.
Pashtunwali's ancient custom was meant to create harmony and respect among the tribe.
Now we have bunch of beghairat tribals who are blowing up schools, mutilating dead bodies, and killing our soldiers (the despicable act very similar to the one committed by Indians during our wars).
And then the same beghairats claim to have Pashtunwali, like robber claiming to be the keeper of the bank keys.
Yeah right.
Pashtunwali is dead, even deader than a door-knob.
Pashtunwali's ancient custom was meant to create harmony and respect among the tribe.
Now we have bunch of beghairat tribals who are blowing up schools, mutilating dead bodies, and killing our soldiers (the despicable act very similar to the one committed by Indians during our wars).
And then the same beghairats claim to have Pashtunwali, like robber claiming to be the keeper of the bank keys.
Yeah right.
I wish you try to spew your anger without sprinkling the poison on all of us. I also wish you had courage to discuss and admit the atrocities, blunders and carnage of civilians from the other parties involved in the conflict. Your words were justified if drones were dropping roses and our guns were firing jasmine.
You cry with your mouth a gap and eyes red on the destruction of a school but you look the other way when dozens of kids are killed in a mosques, innocent women and men are shattered into flesh and bones, your tongue lashes for verbal flogging upon a crime committed by the so called Taliban but I never saw a word soaked in tears for the loss of innocent lives in that region.