Re: Sherpao: NWFP facing total Talibanization
Very scarey scenario indeed. Are things really that bad that he feels the whole area is being Talibanised? He is openly blaming the army and the government whom he accuses of not doing anything but sit in their HQ. This article raises a lot of questions I guess ones that will be answered over time.
- Is Sherpao right in being fearful about whats going on? Is his viewpoint a correct estimation of what is going on or is it over-dramatised sensationalised exaggerated viewpoints? Ideally I would like to believe the latter but goings on in FATA such as Bajaur, North and South waziristan are not positive - these are the 3 most media publicised Talibanised areas. Although some action in Waziristan over the last few weeks has given the Gov credit to claim many militants being killed and many areas cleared - a story heard previously before many times bt then the militants reassert themselves.
Khurram agency saw shia-sunni fighting - itsnot the first time and it has happened pre-2001. Khyber agency - the deobandi-barelvi wars were new to this region and the recent kohat tunnel saga is a bold attempt by the militants to cut off Pesahwar from Kohat - 2 cities with lare military populations and within this same hill range you have a PAF Base at badaber off the Peshawar-Kohat road and a SSG centre in Cherat.
There are reports of the Taliban sway spreading in Charsadda, the villages around the city in Pesahwar district, Bannu. The only so far more peaceful areas are Sawabi, Mardan and Hazara division - although there has been some "minor" incidents within sawabi, mardan. I am not sure exactly whats going on in D I Khan but ir borders Bannu/Lakki Marwat to the north and Waziristan to its west.
2 Were the militants testing the waters or hoping that they would take control over this tunnel?
The militants find it very difficult to hold onto anything thery have captured ie the major areas of swat, the kohat tunnel and even parts of waziristan which tey had taken over. If Gov reports are to be believed then good chunks of waziristan have been freed up.
Are the militants able to take over NWFP itself - somehow I would rather believe they do not have enough "staff" and any attempt would be retaliated by the army who if wont succeed then America will. If the militants take over NWFP then it will be an autonomous independent area and I am sure nuclear power would be dismantled.
- where to next? The government must stop sleeping as the militants are going to be planning their next moves. the government must do something now as the risk of the whole tribal belt coming under militant control is something that could appear likely.
What the government has done over the last few weeks is probably not enough and there will need to be more - the army needs to become more involved as the FC and police cant deal with this alone.
I dont think democracy will lessen any problems. Pakistan needs a good honest strong just government which deals with such things fairly. i would even advcate a police state if it solved these problems.