FROM A RINGSIDE SEAT

The determination of our parliamentarians to pass unanimous resolutions must be appreciated. The word "unanimous" is a unique thing showing the unity of views of all the parties present in the parliament. The parliamentarians are least bothered to see whether or not these resolutions have any impact.
You will excuse the Senate that passed a unanimous resolution on Friday condemning the Israeli attacks on Gaza. It was binding on the Senate to do this duty in religious and national spirit as the National Assembly did it earlier this month. The expression of sympathies with innocent Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli naked aggression is always welcomed.
Let us leave the two resolutions passed by the two Houses of the parliament on Gaza. A country like Israel being supported and protected by the US will never lend its ear to a voice of concern going out from Pakistan. However, such resolutions have some symbolic importance.
The real point, which I want to make here, is the impact of the resolutions passed by the parliament on the country's internal matters. A few days back, the National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against the Taliban ultimatum to close down female schools in Swat and urged the government to provide full protection to the educational institutions there.
Instead of having any positive impact, the resolution further deteriorated the situation in the volatile Swat valley. More girls' schools were razed, as a result it worsened the situation further. There was another resolution on national security passed by joint sitting of the two Houses of the parliament after an in-camera briefing by the military leadership.
The first two points of the resolution were; (1) "we need an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability to Pakistan and the region through an independent foreign policy." (2) "The challenge of militancy and extremism must be met through developing a consensus and dialogue with all genuine stakeholders." So far, we have not seen any impact. There has been no improvement in Fata and Swat situation.
Earlier this week, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan rightly said that we do not to pass resolutions again and again. He said that what happened to the resolution on national security passed by the joint sitting of the parliament.
Yes, we are, of course, concerned over Gaza situation. But the situation in Fata in general and Swat in particular must be our prime concern as far as the issue of national interest is concerned. Swat has literally become Pakistan's Gaza. This was the suggestion of ANP Senator Ilyas Bilour. He said we should worry about Swat.
Civil population is living under double threats in Swat. One threat is from the militants. The other threat is from military deputed there. The civilian casualties, who are done in the name of collateral damage, will be, definitely, far higher than those inflicted on Taliban so far in the operation. People in Gaza are facing no threat from Hammas. So at least they are safe from one side. Hammas also is not demolishing the girls' schools inside Gaza. They have not banned the female education. In Swat, the militants banned the female education. They are blowing up their schools.
Israel has already stopped its military strikes on Gaza. Therefore, our Senate should have opted for discussing the Swat situation instead of adopting a resolution on Gaza that will remain meaningless as far as its impact is concerned. Some senators criticised OIC. Others censured the Arab League for their inaction against Israel.
Of course, the Arab League and the OIC have not played their due role in highlighting the Israel's atrocities against innocents Palestinians. This is a fact. But our politicians and our government are failing to realise their real duty to work for steering the country out of the present crisis. There are always some controversial issues and the political parties always play politics on them. But do not play politics on worsening situation in Swat and Fata. Do act before it is too late. The unity and consensus must not remain restricted only to resolutions, which are passed by our parliament.
The NWFP, which has been the major victim of so called war on terror, so far, cannot go alone against the militancy. The ANP, which is the main target of the militants in Swat and elsewhere in the province, can do nothing on its own. There should be national action supported by all the political parties and the armed forces. The national action must not be only military action. The option of dialogue must be there and it must be used where it could prove its effectiveness.