‘There is absolutely no rational basis for opposing or ignoring Zarb-e-Azb. No ideological reason can be given either unless one thinks that the Taliban are freedom fighters and the Pakistan military is acting on behalf of the West,’ says Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed in an interview with Viewpoint on the military operation in Waziristan (Zarb-e-Azab).
He is a Visiting Professor at LUMS, Lahore, and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the Stockholm University. He is also an Honorary Senior Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. His book, The Punjab Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2012), won the Best Non-Fiction Book Prize at the 2013 Karachi Literature Festival and the 2013 UBL-Jang Groups Best Non-Fiction Book Prize at Lahore. His latest book is, Pakistan: The Garrison State, Origins, Evolution, Consequences (1947-2011). Read on:
What is your personal viewpoint on Zarb-e-Azb? Do you think it should be supported, opposed or ignored?
There is absolutely no rational basis for opposing or ignoring it. No ideological reason can be given either unless one thinks that the Taliban are freedom fighters and the Pakistan military is acting on behalf of the West. Such absurdities can only be maintained by infantiles. On the other hand, we should demand that Zarb-e-Azb is a comprehensive project to conclusively defeat and destroy the Taliban and all their extremist affiliates and include the expulsion of all foreign fighters.
Is it the case that military is serious this time and a new doctrine is taking roots at the GHQ whereby the distinction between the ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Taliban will not be maintained anymore?
I only hope something of the sort is happening otherwise this operation will founder like many others based on the ludicrous distinction between Good and Bad Taliban.
Pakistan used to deny the existence of Safe Havens for global jihadis/Taliban. Do you think that the recent official statements regarding the presence of ‘foreign terrorists’ in fact constitute a confession that yes Pakistan had tolerated, if not offered, Safe Havens to global jihadis?
Of course it does. Pakistan has been lying for too long and has very little credibility in the world with regard to, among other issues, its policy on foreign terrorists.
Media have gone almost silent on Zarb-e-Azb except when it comes to amplifying military propaganda. Even Imran Khan is not talking about drones anymore. Likewise, the HRCP and some noted women rights NGOs have lent support to the ongoing military operation in Waziristan. What has generated this broad consensus? Also, how long will it hold? Moreover, what about the notion, although marginalized, that the operation is counter-productive as it would not address the taproot of the problem [which lies in Punjab/GHQ]?
Yes, these things do happen at moments when a country is engaged in military operations of a controversial nature especially when these are carried out within state boundaries. I believe all stakeholders and autonomous bodies such as the HRCP want the operation to root out the Taliban and destroy their hideouts and enclaves. Is the military going to do that? I suppose nobody knows for sure. With regard to the suspected links of the terrorists within the GHQ, well one cannot assert this with certainty; one can only suspect that so seems to be the case. However, if there are links and support within the GHQ then as before Zarb-e-Azb will end up becoming another indictment of a flawed state and military planning and sooner or later more trouble will follow.
Do you think the military can’t see the nexus between the so-called ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Taliban or if there are other reasons to ignore the link? How long can it go on?
I would imagine that the Taliban are not simply protege of the Pakistan military as is often alluded by some writers. The Taliban maintain relative autonomy and can act independently and at times in defiance of the GHQ. What I am saying is that the Good and Bad categorization, although useful analytically to understand the origin of this bizarre distinction, it is not necessarily a reflection of the actual composition, organization and networking among Taliban, Al-Qaeda and their other allies and affiliates. There can be sleeping cells which can spring to action and wreak havoc on the military. Some fear and hesitation must be prevalent in the GHQ about them even when conventionally and conveniently one describes the Taliban as creatures of the Pakistan military and ISI. The reality is extremely complicated and the monster created by delusionary generals seeking expansion and jihad may no longer be within their power to leash or cage. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the Taliban do enjoy support of retired military hawks and Islamist sections of the society. Without overwhelming, coordinated, sustained and relentless military action from the air and on land that evil cannot be annihilated. An ambivalent and half-hearted Zarb-e-Azb will solve nothing.
