Frontier Watch

Nothing Adds Up

http://nothingaddsup.blogspot.com/2008/12/frontier-watch.html

Monday, December 01, 2008

The biggest fallout of Mumbai on the Pakistani state so far has been a large-scale switching of focus away from the Western border/FATA/NWFP. Therefore, now is as good a time as any, I think, to update myself on the current scenario in that region.

There are mixed reports emanating from Khurram Agency/Parachinar: on one hand, there has been a peace deal between different tribes to establish a ceasefire. What the long-term effects of such a deal are going to be is anyone's guess. At least one report suggests that things are still quite bad there, with kidnappings of prominent Shias continuing. Having seen how the Taliban have treated some of their previous captives, one can only pray fervently for the safety of all such captives.

What is truly atrocious is the lack of government action in the region. It is one thing for the state to be unaware of ground realities, or to be ineffectual in its action, but to not respond militarily when the Parachinar issue has been in the news so much is criminal. I don't know the strategic imperatives of the Army, which might not want to open up too many fronts against an unconventional enemy, but regular supplies and a skeletal defense unit surely isn't asking too much for the people of the Khurram Agency.

This whole situation does shed ugly light on the modus operandi of the Talib and Al-Qaeda. If they're fanatical enough to go after the Shia, surely Sunnis of a different shade aren't too much of a stretch for them either? The strategic response of the Pakistani state depends in part on how well Sunnis realize that it is in their interest to participate fully in intercepting this Taliban threat against the Shia. Unfortunately, the Pakistani state has a track record for only the most half-hearted of responses to the sectarian threat, which is as great today than ever.

Finally, if anyone in Pakistan needs any convincing that we need the strongest resolve against the Taliban et. al., notice that they had no problem sending suicide bombers to blow up tribal leaders opposed to them. Crucially, there is no evidence to suggest that these attacks were sectarian or ideological in any way; they were simply tactically expedient. If these people have no compunctions sending suicide bombers against any of their enemies, it takes away from any scraps of a claim they had to be ideologically motivated. Moreover, it truly boggles the mind to think that a young boy can be convinced to carry out such an attack. What sort of brain-washing goes on in these camps? What are the incentives given? Conversely, is it the case that a bomber who fails to carry the bombing out is punished so severely (torture etc) that he prefers to blow himself up?

Tribal elders seek recovery of college principal

Monday, December 01, 2008, Zil-Hajj 02, 1429 A.H

PARACHINAR: The elders of Kurram Agency on Sunday constituted a 14-member committee to make efforts for the safe and early recovery of a kidnapped college principal, who was kidnapped in Khyber Agency a few days ago.

To this effect, a meeting of local notables and elders was held at the Government Degree College to devise a strategy for safe and early recovery of Government Elementary College Jamrud Principal Syed Razi Shah, a resident of Kurram Agency. The participants expressed concern over the prevailing situation of terror and growing incidents of kidnapping in the NWFP and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

A 14-member committee was formed to make efforts for safe recovery. The committee members held a meeting with Political Agent Arshad Majeed and Waris Khan Afridi, a tribal elder of the Khyber Agency, for the release of the principal.

www.dailymashriq.com.pk
editorial
28/11/2008

Editorial: Spectre of sectarian war

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Editorial: Spectre of sectarian war

The eight persons who were wounded in a bomb-attack inside a Peshawar imambargah on Monday testify to the sectarian philosophy of certain elements in the “Taliban” movement and Al Qaeda. The bombers penetrated one of the oldest quarters of the city, Hasht Nagri, and blew up the building. This is not the first time the Shia have been targeted in Peshawar, but so far lame excuses have been invented by certain elements in the media and in the political parties to avoid naming those who are responsible. In the NWFP, other cities have been more ferociously punished. Dera Ismail Khan has seen repeated massacres of the Shia community, and the scourge has swept across the nearby Bhakkar in Punjab too.

The Tribal Areas have not been spared either. Kurram Agency has been a seat of sectarian rivalry since Pakistan began indulging in jihad. The Sunni-Shia violence was revived there by the militias that fought the state’s proxy war. The sectarian war that was relocated from the Gulf to Pakistan after 1979, simmered in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram, and has become full-blown in 2008. The communities there are stranded. No supplies are allowed to pass to them, some essentials reaching there mostly through Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have died there and the Pakistani state, despite pledges, has not stirred to defend its citizens against violence.

Now sectarian mayhem is always round the corner in Pakistan. But it is the NWFP which is today the most endangered province because of the loss of the Tribal Areas to the Taliban and the “foreigners” of Al Qaeda. The road that goes from Peshawar to Kurram is studded with training camps of anti-Shia elements. Kohat, an important air force base and a cantonment, is the most endangered, along with Hangu where there are small Shia communities. These elements have a free run there, picking up funds through coercion and abducting people they don’t like. Along Darra Adam Khel, some anti-Shia militias have gravitated to their old patrons in the Punjab.

During the civil war in Afghanistan, the militias produced by Pakistan shifted their loyalties. They killed Shias in Pakistan, then absconded into Afghanistan. The Taliban government, recognised by Pakistan when the world abominated it, refused two requests from Pakistan: it refused to recognise the Durand Line and it refused to surrender the sectarian killers in their protection. Thus Pakistan could never properly deal with the rise of sectarian violence; and Iran, greatly disturbed by the killings, never really believed that the Pakistani state was uninvolved. Nor will it now, no matter how we try to dissuade them. The fact is that we are not greatly moved by the killings.

The Serbs in the Balkans used the state to expel its rubbish periodically through ethnic-cleansing. All states to some extent do this, but the danger in Pakistan is that this is a trend that might finally undo Pakistan. The minorities are already quaking in their shoes, but there are others like Ismailis, Zikris and Bahais who are potential victims of this “ethnic-cleansing”. Unfortunately, there is a modicum of public acceptance of this function of the state on the basis of the Second Amendment of 1974 which apostatised the Ahmedi community. Take the example of the politicisation of the threat of Talibanisation in Karachi. The MQM says the Taliban are moving their terrorist hierarchies into Karachi where Shias and Barelvis have been targeted in the past. The Sindh government thinks the MQM exaggerates the threat even though the Taliban in South Waziristan have publicly declared their intent to take over the city. The ANP is caught in the middle. It is threatened by the Taliban in Peshawar but its vote bank in Karachi — where there are more Pakhtuns than in Peshawar, Kabul or Kandahar — prevents it from closing ranks with the MQM and facing up to the challenge with the help of the Sindh government. Apart from ethnic-cleansing these elements will bring to Karachi their agenda of finishing off the sects they don’t like.

The Sindh government is reluctant even after a word of advice from President Zardari. The federal Interior Ministry, after receiving information from intelligence agencies, has informed Sindh that terrorists have planned to carry out suicide attacks on a number of prominent locations. This means that the coming war is not America’s war. We should stop thinking of “taking action” against America and concentrate more on what is coming at us from the inside. The Shia community, instead of listening to the anti-American propaganda emanating from Iran, should learn to protect itself against the sectarian mayhem that has made its latest appearance in Peshawar. The state is too weak to come to their help. *

Reference:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\26\story_26-11-2008_pg3_1

http://letusbuildpakistan.blogspot.com/2008/11/spectre-of-sectarian-war-in-pakistan.html

PCB asked to form Cricket Associations in FATA

Sunday, 23 November 2008

PESHAWAR, Nov 22 (APP): The Office‑Bearers of the FATA Adhoc Body Saturday urged Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt to form cricket associations in tribal agencies as the tribal belt was rich in cricket potential.

Addressing a press conference Haji Taimur Afridi said that time has come to tap the hidden sporting potential of tribal youth and formation of the regular cricket associations in the tribal regions would help in exploring the cricket potential besides contributing towards promotion of the game.

He disclosed that the PCB had started registration process for club registration in Fata in February 2008 but no progress to this effect has been made till date.

Flanked by Presidents and Secretaries of the Adhoc Body from Khyber, Bajaur, Kurram, Orakzai and Mohmand Agencies, FR Peshawar, FR Kohat, FR Bannu, Haji Taimur Afridi said that (33) clubs from Khyber Agency, 10 clubs from Khurram Agency, FR Kohat (6), Mohmand (6), North Waziristan Agency (6), Bajaur Agency (17), FR Dera Ismail Khan (1), FR Peshawar (1), FR Lakki (1), Orakzai Agency (1), FR Bannu (1) have been registered with the Regional General Manager PCB Anwar Zeb Jan in Peshawar.

The tribal areas are full of cricket talent but no step has been taken for promoting and facilitating the players to exhibit their skill.

He said that the coordinator appointed by PCB in 2003 for looking after the affairs of cricket’s promotion in FATA has failed in the fulfillment of his primary task.

Haji Taimur Afridi questioned the PCB’s efforts for the promotion of cricket and said the real talent in FATA has still not yet been explored. While giving example of the district he said that Lakki Marwat, a district similar to Tehsil Bara (Khyber Agency) was given separate status but an area half of the province was ignored of similar facilities.

The PCB on one hand giving separate status to a small district Lakki but on the other denied the same to people of FATA.

He hailed the appointment of Javed Miandad as Director General PCB and expressed the confidence that the new DG would no ignore Fata in sporting activities “We want to have an elected and honest body that could work with the support of PCB for the promotion of cricket in FATA,” Haji Taimur said.

He also appreciated Political Administration, FATA Directorate for taking steps in providing sports facilities to the youth in FATA. Taimur Afridi while criticizing the recently held trials under PCB Talent Hunt scheme said that it was a futile effort because many youngsters were not aware of such trials due to least interest shown by coordinator FATA.

“We were not informed about the trials and the players of the existing clubs were kept in the dark,” he added.

Law, order improving in Kurram Agency: Arshad

Friday, November 21, 2008, Zi'qad 22, 1429 A.H.

PESHAWAR (APP): The law and order situation is drastically improving in Kurram Agency in wake of the landmark peace deal inked by two rival factions of the agency in Islamabad, a senior official said on Thursday. Arshad Majeed, the political agent of Kurram Agency told reporters that normalcy was returning fast to Kurram due to the hectic efforts of Jirga members and government. The administrator said that complete ceasefire was being observed in restive areas due to implementation of peace agreement. He lauded the cooperation of jirga members in restoration of durable peace in the agency. To a question, he said that business activities are in full swing in Kurram and traffic is plying on roads. Majeed reiterated that no body would be allowed to take law into their hands and disturbed the peace of the agency. He said that government’s writ would be established at all costs. The political agent said that Kurram Agency would be made a cradle of peace. He sought the active cooperation of tribesmen in maintaining law and order in the agency.

Commenting on security situation in Parachinar

Thursday, November 20, 2008,
Zi'qad 21, 1429 A.H

PESHAWAR: Political Agent, Arshad Majid Mohmand has said that law and order situation is improving in Kurram Agency following the peace deal signed by rival tribes.

Commenting on security situation in Parachinar here on Thursday, the Political Agent said that complete ceasefire was being observed in the area due to the peace agreement. The situation, he said, is improving quickly.

He said jirga members were engaged in maintaining lasting peace in the area.

Pak-US Joint Attacks on Tribal Areas

Strained Relationships Due to the growing concerns in the Pakistani establishment about the Afghan government's allegedly surreptitious meddling in the area, The Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, asked US visiting under secretary for South Asia, Richard Boucher, to help stop militants infiltration from Afghanistan. Zardari did not directly blame the US troops stationed in the Afghan border province, Kunar, of having hands in the facilitation of militants penetration into Pakistan, but it is commonly believed that all these are done under the knowledge of the US agencies. Zardari implicitly said that drug traffickers in Afghanistan were funding the infiltration of militants into the tribal areas. Previously, during the reign of Musharaf's government, Awais Ghani, then governor of Baluchistan and currently governor of North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) had accused the Afghan government of arming and sending the Baluch militants. The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA)is believed to be involved in many attacks on the Pakistani army. It is noticed that during the battles among the tribes in Parachinar, a border Pakistani town, many soldiers of the Afghan National Army in civil uniforms were fighting on the side of the Tori tribes. Similarly, hundred of Tori tribesmen have taken refuge in Jaji district, and Khust province of Afghanistan, close to the border of Parachinar. Kabul is earnestly seeking to maintain good relations with disgruntled Pakistani tribes to spread its influence over these areas. In the light of the new circumstances, it is suspected that the old players are again in the field trying to utilize the backlash of the operations in tribal areas. By giving them shelter in Afghanistan, they want to consequently prepare refugees for agitation in the tribal areas. New Delhi may have a lion share in this adventure in order to put pressure on Pakistan either to hands off Kashmir or to agree to Indian conditions on the issue. It can be used to dilute Pakistan’s attention and stand on strategic issues like Siachen Glaciers and water distribution between the two countries. Strategically, it is in the interest of Pakistan to accommodate the Pakistani Taliban rather than push them into the hug of hostile forces. Pakistan should learn the lesson from American and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Despite seven years of iron-fist strategy in the country, Afghanistan now is acknowledging that it has to talk to the Taliban for a permanent solution of the conflict. Should the main outsiders once ensconce themselves in the tribal areas, then the solution will slip from Islamabad’s hands, and this will consequently result into unpredictable outcomes, which will not augur well for the integration of this nuclear Islamic power.

Suhail Shaheen is a former Chief Editor of the Kabul Times and a freelance Journalist. He can be reached through Muslim.Affairs@iolteam.com. your comments needed on this information

Nature of challenge in tribal areas

Nature of challenge in tribal areas of Pakistan is having different dimensions, in Kurram tribal agency due to eruption of sectarian violence Parachinar Tull road has been closed for traffic, sources have said that in Sada area of Kurram agency Taliban and Alqaida militants have erected check posts, Shia sect people besieged in Parachinar can not reach to Kohat through Tull Parachinar road, in November 2007 sectarian clashes were started in Kurram agency and now Parachinar capital of Kurram agency is virtually cut off from rest of Pakistan.

A resident of Parachinar has said that now violent clashes between Shia and Sunni sect are stopped by peace efforts of present government both Shia and Sunni sects have realized the futility of violence which harms the interest of both communities and are living in peace with each other

http://raziq1.blogspot.com/2008/11/eight-militants-killed-in-bajure.html

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2008

Nato air strikes kill seven in Tirah F.P. Report

Nato air strikes kill seven in Tirah F.P. Report

Monday, November 10, 2008, Zi'qad 11, 1429 A.H. MORGA: Seven persons were killed and three others injured when NATO-led fighter jets bombed Tirah valley along Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Agency on Sunday afternoon. The fighter jets targeted a group of 40 pedestrians on Morga mountains in Tirah valley killing seven of the tribals on the spot and three others were injured. The dead and injured were taken to Parachinar. Names of the dead could not be confirmed due non-availabilty of commmunication system as the local tribes are from Mahamod, Ali Sherzai and Chamkani. In Bajaur fighter planes carried out fresh strikes on militants’ hideouts, killing at least 13 in Tehsil Mamond on Sunday. Meanwhile, Mamond and Salarzai tribes will hold separate jirga in order to establish peace in the volatile region. Sources said that security forces heavily pounded militants’ hideouts in Mamond, Damadola and Kharkay in which 13 people were killed. The death toll may rise, according to sources. Helicopter gunships have launched raids on militants’ positions in Zorband and Sabagi areas of the troubled agency. On the other hand, Political Administration has issued a fresh warning asking Afghan refugees to leave the area within next three days, otherwise action will be taken after expiry of deadline given to Afghan refugees.