WASHINGTON: The current Pakistani government has come under sharp criticism from the Chicago Tribune, which has faulted it for having “done nothing” to “put an end to home grown violence and terror.”
In a leading article, the newspaper writes, “**Instead, it has botched its negotiations with militants. It has utterly failed at freeing its people from the extremists’ influence. Instead of protecting its citizens, the current government has sold them out. This government, a coalition between the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has proved to be worse at fighting extremism than the one led by discredited President Pervez Musharraf. All of this was sadly demonstrated this past Monday when a car bomb exploded outside the Danish embassy in Islamabad. The blast killed at least six people and injured dozens. Al Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan claimed responsibility for the explosion. And they said they received help from Pakistani militants.”
**
Chicago Tribune points out that when the new government took office, the only course for the US seemed to be to step back as the new leaders were going to have to be given a chance to take ownership of Pakistan’s fight against terror. The new leaders were not going to co-operate if it looked like they were fighting a proxy war on behalf of the United States. “Now it looks like they won’t co-operate in fighting a war on behalf of their own people. The inept Pakistani government is capitulating to indigenous militants,” the editorial adds. Citing the example of the deal made in Swat, the newspaper notes that following the outrages by the extremists and their actions against girls’ schools and entertainment outlets, the residents of the valley wanted nothing more than a restoration of law and order. They yearned for security, and a return to their old lives.
According to the newspaper, “They got nothing of the sort. A little over two weeks ago, Pakistan’s government signed a peace agreement with Fazlullah’s militants that legitimised the introduction of Shariah law to the region. The government agreed to free hundreds of militant prisoners. The militants promised to allow girls to return to school and said they would stop attacking government forces. But they retain de facto control of the Swat Valley — and its highly developed infrastructure, which includes roads and hotels. The government may claim it has negotiated peace. But it has, instead, given the militants both the time and the access to resources that will allow them to get stronger. Pakistann’s new leaders are caving to extremism. For all the success against terrorism around the world, what’s happening here chills the blood.”
The ONE and ONLY and MOST POWER FULL MUSH, banged his head for almost 9 years and spent millions of dollars, still no result, the new govt. even have not even completed 100 days and yet the "most brilliants and intellectuals" have started comparing the two...
Whether it is Musharaf or Sharief before him or Zardari after him, fact is terrorism is growing and flourishing in Pakistan. While Pakistanis want to be proud and ask all outsiders to keep mum and not do anything about it, their terrorists continue to cause damage to not only Pakistan but also to the rest of the world.
During Mush's era there was, to use a over used word here, unprecedented suicide bombings on a daily basis, which are now under control to a large extent. But than Mush lovers wont understand that.
If you can think for 2 seconds you will realize that actions cause reactions, and Mush's actions against the terrorists caused their reactions. Now since terrorists have free hand, they are busy attacking Afghanistan and plotting attacks on other countries as well, so is the "under control" you are talking about? Under who's control? ISI? Sooner or later it will once again come to bite Pakistan in the behind.
Compared to the Musharraf dictatorship era of daily suicide bombings, assasinations of political figures, and bhatta/mobile khoori, these last 2-3 months have been a blessing.
Blessing for your taliban to regroup, rearm and attack their enemies (pakistan included). And tell this to the 4 policeman killed few days back, the school blown up few days further back etc. They will continue using pakistani territory for cross-border attacks and the end result will one day be obvious. Threat was just issued by taliban:
Tailban ask govt to abide by agreement
HANGU: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Sunday issued pamphlets to local journalists that cautioned the government to stick to their peace agreement. The pamphlet, singed by Commander Nazir of the TTP, was sent to local journalists and stated that if the government violated the treaty, the Taliban could open new fronts against the government. It said that the government should not consider them weak, as the TTP was an organised power that could not be thwarted easily. The pamphlet warned the government against fighting America’s war on terror in Pakistan, as its ramifications could be dangerous. staff report
ISLAMABAD: Six men have been charged for a terror plot that was foiled when authorities seized three vehicles carrying more than 2,200 pounds of explosives near Islamabad, police officials said on Sunday.
Thursday’s seizure and detention of the suspects came after a blast near the Danish Embassy in Islamabad killed at least six people last Monday. Crime Investigation Agency chief Rana Muhammad Shahid said the suspects had been charged with terrorism and conspiracy, and were taken to an anti-terrorism court after having been formally arrested on Saturday.
Shahid said the arrested men were all Pakistani nationals and their targets included President Pervez Musharraf’s Camp Office in Rawalpindi, adding that the authorities were still investigating whether the suspects had intended to target foreign embassies in the Diplomatic Enclave.
Officials said the suspects allegedly planned to attack “important installations” in Pakistan. ap
Yes, every suicide bombing is a "blessing" to jihadis. Caving to them like we are, will really help Pakistan in the long term I bet. Really good plan, can't see any blowback affect whatsoever!
Actually its you who wishes all day long for a suicide attack so you can come and post here in order to take attention off the chitrool the MQM gets here on a daily basis, but too bad, ever since the new govt came in, there hasnt been much on that front, so you should prolly try a new strategy.
Taliban has already been handed over large parts of the pashtun lands, while you and your buddies are beating the drums over Ifti Ifti. It's almost a joke how completely out of touch your group is to what is actually happening in parts of Pakistan.
Why are you so worried, I dont recall any Talibans in Lalukhet yet. Also, Altaf bhai seems to have dismissed his jehado-phoebie and is happy with Zardari, I suggest you do the same.