Operation Silence has failed to end radical hold over Pakistan. Instead, the administration is trying to salvage the broken peace deal with Taliban militants hiding in the tribal dominated Waziristan regency of its North West Frontier Province. The swear words of the Musharraf government to wipe every pocket of Taliban in Pakistan looks a mere eye catch to get the US aid and save the military rule.
The tribal dominated areas of North Pakistan are known hard-line supporters of former radical regime of Afghanistan led by the Taliban. In the areas adjacent to the Durand line like Waziristan, Miran Shah and Swat, the control rests virtually with autonomous tribal councils and Pakistan government writs have no meaning there. Unable to drive out the hiding Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives and stop violence in those areas, Musharraf government, last September concluded a deal with the tribal leaders to ensure peace in the area.
But the Red Mosque storming has put the deal on the brink of collapse. As most of the dead and injured in the Operation Silence were from the improvised families of the area, anti-government sentiment runs high among the tribal clans. In last two days bombings and suicide attacks on army convoys passing through the area and government installations has already claimed more than 70 lives.
Unnerved by the public anger in the tribal areas and sudden increase in violence, Gen. Pervez Musharraf led central government is making every possible attempt to win over the tribal population. Under its direction the provincial administration have already dispatched a delegation of tribal elders to negotiate with the militant elements of the area. Intelligence sources are giving indications of pumping massive financial support to purchase clan leaders in the region.
The move by the Pakistan to appease the Taliban and Al Qaeda supporters is a go back by Musharraf on his anti-Taliban policy. Many fear that like the last deal, any further concession to disgruntled elements only encourage the Taliban and Al Qaeda to recuperate and plan attacks both inside Pakistan and across the border. It also a hint of tribal militants’ successful blackmailing of the military regime in Islamabad. The policy to bludgeon, buy off and appease militants working from the tribal areas is only adding to the already eroded civil administration in the area.
A Taliban manifesto circulated in North Waziristan has rejected any kind of truce and warned the tribal supporters of Islamabad of public punishment. Akram Khan Durrani, the chief minister of the North-West Frontier Province is also wary of dangerous repercussions once the deal ended. Musharraf regime already toiling to salvage its image in the face of pro-democracy protests is well aware that tribal areas near Durand line are historically out of administrative ambit and governments had to use money and diplomacy to keep them under control.
Via: NY Times
