In response to Imran Khan’s three reasons for talks with Taliban – by Misbah U. Azam
ON Oct 28 PTI Chairman Imran Khan gave a talk in front of almost 500 people in Silicon Valley, CA, and he gave his views about the Taliban.
In so many words he virtually condoned Taliban atrocities in Pakistan. He blamed US drone attacks on tribal areas as the reason for Taliban rampage on the streets of Pakistan.
He insisted that Pakistan should ‘isolate’ good and bad Taliban (did not say how to) and negotiate with those who are ‘not’ involved in terrorist activities.
He gave three reasons for his argument:
– Since the British government negotiated peace with the IRA, why cannot we talk to the TTP?
– Because the US is opening dialogue with the Afghan Taliban, why should Pakistan not do that?
– There were no suicide attacks before 9/11.
His first argument is challenged time and again (unfortunately never by the Pakistani media) that the dialogue with the IRA was only initiated after the IRA agreed to lay down weapons.
His second argument is rather naïve because one must not compare the US — which is an occupying force — with the Pakistan army — which is trying to impose the writ of the constitutional government. Everywhere in the world it is the occupiers who open dialogue with insurgents. So if US is doing this, there is nothing new about it. As long as the TTP is carrying weapons, there must be no dialogue.
Imran’s third argument, unfortunately, is also quite gullible. Before 9/11, Pakistani security agencies and the religio – political parties were supporting militant groups and allowing them to use Pakistani soil to get trained and join the ‘struggles’ in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Central Asia and even as far as Arakan.
Even today, if Pakistan would allow the Taliban to get trained and send ‘mujahids’ all over the world, there will be no suicide bombing inside Pakistan. However, then Pakistan must not expect any mercy from outside countries — even from its allies like China.
No one knows on which information the PTI believes that after they will talk to the TTP, the latter will throw arms and start farming and cultivation.
The TTP is well – entrenched and getting organised on an everyday basis in tribal areas and now in settled areas as well.
It is time the government launched a massive military operation in North Waziristan against the TTP and took control of the North Waziristan Agency.
Now, after attacks on Malala, Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Shia processions during Muharram and now a murder attempt on Hamid Mir (which the police suspect as the TTP’s action), there is even more reason for the government to move in. Their power will be significantly reduced once their core is broken.
Source: Dawn
Imran Khan and his fans should shift to North Waziristan and let us know once they are done with the dialogue.
In case of IRA, the weapons were not laid down by only IRA, but also army was back in barracks. “The IRA was to retain its arms and the British Army was to remain in barracks for the duration of peace negotiations. Many IRA officers interpreted the truce only as a temporary break in fighting. They continued to recruit and train volunteers, with the result that the IRA had increased its number to over 72,000 men by early 1922.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republican_Army
Abdul Nishapuri sb, urs second argument is naive, not IK’s. Did u see US negotiating with any1 in Iraq, they are only negotiating bcoz they failed to win the war. Whatz wrong with to negotiate if u wanna end a war.
Abdul Nishapuri sb, u r totally wrong here regarding suicide attacks, Gen Mush stopped all these jihadi orgs right after 9/11, but there were no suicide attacks till few months of Pak Army operation in tribal areas. Plz check when TTP started its attacks in Pakistan & the ban on Jihadi Organisations by Gen Mush sb!
AHameed saheb:
“In case of IRA, the weapons were not laid down by only IRA, but also army was back in barracks. “The IRA was to retain its arms and the British Army was to remain in barracks for the duration of peace negotiations. Many IRA officers interpreted the truce only as a temporary break in fighting. They continued to recruit and train volunteers, with the result that the IRA had increased its number to over 72,000 men by early 1922.”
History is not a rocket science. You are roaming in 1922, while Abdul Nishapuri saheb was talking about 2010.
“The governments of Britain and Ireland were informed.[49] Hillary Rodham Clinton of the United States was due to visit Belfast the following day.[49] Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams was doubtful but added: “However, if it is followed by the actions that are necessary, this is a welcome development”.[50] On 6 February 2010, days before the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) was due to disband, the INLA revealed that it had decommissioned its weapons over the preceding few weeks.[51] Had the INLA retained its weapons beyond 9 February, the date on which the legislation under which the IICD operated ended, then they would have been treated as belonging to common criminals rather than remnants from the Troubles”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_National_Liberation_Army#End_of_armed_campaign
Don’t present the half truth. Half truth is more dangerous than blatant lie. You have every right to defend your leader Imran Khan. But, in doing so please do not taint the history which is documented any way. Decommissioning the arms and weapons means laying down the same.
Your comments Nos.3 and 4 are simply your personal opinion which you are entitled to, but it is not binding on others. American and its allied forces (NATO) had been in Iraq and Afghanistan not for settlement. They have achieved their targets viz: killing of Osama Bin Laden, and many key leaders. In Afghanistan they are still there because they are training Hamid Karzai’s security forces which is almost complete. For your information Pakistan government (preceding) entered into treaty twice but Talibans and Al-Qaeda continued their insurgencies in increasing graph bar. These terrorists would continue insurgencies, treaty or no treaty, as long as they are getting Riyals and sale proceeds of poppy stuffs.
As regards Imran Khan slogan that negotiations would kill terrorism in this region is a childish statement (sorry to say). What happened to these slogans spelled repeatedly? Talibans did not allow “the peace caravan” march to Waziristan. IK could neither enter North Waziristan nor South Waziristan. People may be fool but they are not that fool.