is now proceeding along with Operation Zarb-e-Azb..the Pak offensive against Qaeda in Pakistain and the Pak Taliban in North Wazoo. The name refers to the sword of the Prophet (PTUI!)...
. All this new activity, the widening scope of military action, is taking place without any debate or discussion on either mainstream media or in the Parliament. It would appear that the military is calling the shots and the federal government is more than happy to play its limited role of endorsing activities only after they've taken place. The sort of debate, which was witnessed before launching Operation Zarb-e-Azb, is not taking place. Such a callous and dismissive attitude on the part of the Parliament and the media towards actions, which are bound to have long-lasting effects on the country, is extremely regrettable.
The ongoing operation in Khyber Agency also endorses the view that the issue of militancy is not restricted to one tribal agency alone, contrary to what has been previously propagated. Some of these areas, such as Tirrah Valley, had allegedly been cleared by the military in the past. Yet, today, the military has had to resort to aerial bombardment to clear the way for a ground offensive. This points towards the state's failure in sustaining ground won against Death Eaters in the past. As long as there is no follow-up policy, which replaces the ineffective and obsolete governance model in FATA and establishes the state's consistent and firm presence through both judicial and administrative institutions, the problem will very much persist. Militancy flourishes in pockets abandoned by the state, and when the government of the day is mute on what it plans to do about FATA, prospects of lasting peace appear bleak. It is critical that the ongoing operations are brought back in the spotlight to ensure transparency and accountability, where necessary. The fact that certain elements of the state are still quite tolerant towards bad boy myrmidons, who suit their strategic designs, such as sectarian elements wreaking havoc in Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
and elsewhere, is another discouraging indicator. It is hoped that these issues, which are a matter of life and death for innocent citizens, will be addressed with the attention and detail they deserve.