Pakistan faces 9/11 daily

Pakistan faces 9/11 daily
After nine suicide attacks in just 11 days that killed 160 people , Pakistan army has finally started its long awaited offensive in South Waziristan where the Pakistani Taliban are based. Pakistan launched a ground and air operation designed to crush Taliban sanctuaries in the lawless south Washington region which borders Afghanistan on Oct 17 and fears have been growing about the impact on the local population. People trying to get away from fighting are already reporting civilian casualties and food shortages. The approaching winter is only going to a bad situation worse especially for those left behind unless aid reaches them. Around 30000 troops are taking part in the offensive against an estimated ten to twelve thousand militants in the semi- autonomous and lawless tribal belt. Relief workers say more that 200000 people have been displaced by the fighting. The success of the offensive could be critical for the fate of Pakistan which is financially broken and politically paralyzed. The spate of attacks could have been designed to prevent or delay the army offensive but the Talibans aimed to topple the government, impose on Islamic state and if possible get hold of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. The recent attacks have proved more deadly than those in the past because they took place in there of the country’s four provinces involving not just Taliban tribesmen from the Peshawar ethnic group but extremist Punjab and Kashmir factions.
Pakistan relation with US on whom it depends for cash and weapons to fight Islamist militants bombing the country can be uneasy. But many Pakistanis blame the US-led ‘war on terror’ and government’s alliance with Washington for the attacks sweeping the country’s and US missile attacks on al-Quadea and Taliban-linked extremists have inflamed sensibilities. In the midst of this critical juncture of Pakistan US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid a three-day visit to Pakistan and she pledged a 45-million dollar investment for higher education in Pakistan and was to meet business leaders. Her visit is taking place at a time when Pakistan is striving to overcome multiple energy, economic and terrorism challenges. Fending off a question about perceived towards Pakistan’s arch rival India, Hillary told the hand picked audience that peace was the way forward. If there were peace between Pakistan and India and the outstanding issues were resolved, Pakistan would have taken off like a rocket in terms of economic development. Pakistan has such an opportunity to be a power house because of her strategic location.
On her first visit to Pakistan as secretary of State Hillary Clinton on October 28 sought to chip away at anti-Americanism in this predominantly Muslim nation while applauding the government for taking on violent extremist forces. She also said Obama administration intends to do more to support Pakistan on a wide range of issues including economic development, energy generation, education and environment. She told Bush Administration had focused too narrowly on Pakistan’s value as an ally in the war of terrorism, neglecting other aspects of relationship. ‘We are turning the page on what has been for the past several years, primarily a security, anti-terrorist agenda. She arrived in Pakistan’s cultural capital Lahore where she answered critical questions on US policy from Pakistan students, second day of diplomatic mission overshadowed by a massive bomb attack killing 105 people.
Hillary’s visit to the second largest city in Pakistan which has been hit by a series of gun, suicide and grenade attacks this year has been accompanied by draconian security measures. She said, “ In the north-western city left no doubt that Pakistan is in the midst of battle against extremists. This is not your fight alone. You are standing on the frontlines of this battle but we are standing with you.”US wants to turn its pages on its relationship with Pakistan devoting significant energy to public diplomacy to counter rising Pakistan criticism of the alliance with Washington. Hillary already committed 85 million dollars to counting poverty, 125 million dollars for improving Pakistan’ woefully inadequate electricity supply and 104 million dollars to law enforcement and border security assistance. Pakistani officials consider these aids as undermining Pakistan but the White House says that Hillary brings a message of friendship and support to a country undergoing tremendous pressure.
In a series of public appearances on the final day of a three-day visit marked by blunt talk. Hillary refused to discuss the subject which involves highly classified CIA operation. She said only that ‘there is a war going on. And the Obama administration is committed to helping Pakistan defeat the insurgents and terrorists who threaten the stability of a nuclear –armed nation. “ Whatever help she wants to mean you see the common peoples’ comment and reaction. A weeping Saddiq Khan who lost his brother and father says, “My brother and father had nothing to do with Taliban or the army. So why were they killed? We got their bodies back in pieces. It was almost impossible to recognize them.”
More angry people responded to Hillary’s face to face talking with people and students. They say,“ Your presence in the region is not good for peace referring to US military because it gives rise to frustration and irritation among the people of the region.“You had one 9/11 but we are having daily 9/11 in Pakistan. “Hillary of course admitted that the mistakes were done by her country by the previous regime of her country. It is true that the present Taliban is the creation of White House and the military regime of Pakistan but the common people are to bear the brunt of it. How long the 9/11 situation will continue in Pakistan is a question.



Md. Masum Billah
Programme Manager: BRAC Education Programme, PACE
Phone: 9355253(res), 01714-091431(cell)
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com