The PTI of Mr Imran Khan, which made a large platform out of opposing action and promoting talks as the only way to deal with the terrorists, is now searching for a way to climb down, at least partially, from that position so as to not appear totally out of step with the mood prevailing in the country.
For instance, the party’s senior vice president, Asad Umar, argued recently that the fight against terrorism and extremism is not just a military battle, but “a battle for the soul of Pakistan”. In this battle, he said, “[w]e have to go to the root causes of why and where such intolerant behaviour is taking shape and dry up the swamp”.
So what are the root causes of terrorist violence in Pakistan? “The state of Pakistan has been getting weaker as the years go by,” he argues, before making a list of the areas where weakening state capacity is directly responsible for empowering the terrorists and their hate-filled narrative. The areas he lists are many, and they include intelligence and law enforcement capacity, growing “injustice and inequality” in society, “elite capture and abuse of state institutions”.
These dysfunctions “make disenfranchised youth vulnerable to messages of hate and intolerance” he says, arguing that “the people of the country are in an angry mood”.
The narrative that emerges goes something like this: injustice in society and a dysfunctional economy creates anger, and that anger finds a voice in terrorism and the voice exerts a pull on disenfranchised youth who take up arms against an unjust order.
There is something seductive about this analysis. In a sense it says that there is symmetry between the anger you and I feel at the state of affairs in our country and the anger that animates the Taliban.
The truth, unfortunately, is far simpler. Terror groups are thriving in our country for one simple reason: they enjoy protection and patronage from the highest authorities of our land.
If the government takes a bold step to undo the bad laws enacted during the regime of Zia ul haque, it will leak all air out of the Mulla baloon who are supporting the terrorists.
Imran Khan’s party is titled as a party for Justice. Imran khan should take the bold step to remain on the side of Justice. He has missed the boat in the last election. If he sincerely calls for Justice for all in the country, he may succeed in next elections and bye-elections.
Also, Imran Khan has to keep away from anti-America policy, in fact away from any country anti policy of hatred. There is more need to be real friendly to India, USA, Russia and China. Teaching the policy of hatred to poor countrymen, hatred towards any country is detrimental for him and for other politicians.