Leading defence experts are of the view that the civilian government and armed forces have an excellent understanding and co-ordination that is successfully leading towards elimination of terror network from Pakistan.
After the successful operation against the banned Tehreek-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Malakand division, this spirit of good working relationship is being maintained at all levels, even in the wake of ongoing debate on Karry-Lugar bill.
As the forces are gearing up for a final showdown with the militants in South Waziristan, the situation demands good acumen and statesmanship on part of the government, media and civil society so as they could fully back the armed forces in the onslaught against militants.
"Civilian government as well as all sections of the society fully stood behind the armed forces in combating terrorism, and this close co-ordination is being continued," said Lieutenant General Javed Ashraf Qazi (retd). During the military operation, the Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani had frequent meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to move forward with same 'wave-length' in accomplishing the gigantic task.
The former DG ISI, Javed Ashraf Qazi said there was an excellent co-ordination and understanding between the government and military leadership. He said that regular co-ordination between the armed forces and the government has made Malakand operation a success story, and there is a dire need for the same co-ordination for upcoming operation against terrorists.
"I think we have to understand that the army leadership today is very wise, and it has a very good understanding with the present democratic government".
The recent statement by presidential spokesman on the issue of Kerry-Lugar bill was exploited by a section of the media out of proportion with a negative angle.
"However, the reported decision taken by the presidency to talk to the US administration over the Kerry-Lugar Bill, and getting some objectionable clauses scraped from the bill is a step in the right direction," he observed.
Qazi said, army operation in Waziristan was of so much importance and it was not only in the interest of Pakistan, but also in the US interest that the army should defeat Taliban forces inside Pakistan. "Look, our forces have not only defeated terrorists in Swat and Malakand, rather, they have also kept them under pressure. The army has engaged the Taliban to ensure that these militants could not cross Pak-Afghan border to hit the US and Nato troops who are shaky in handling Taliban elements, and are seeking more troops from US," he added.
The retired general was of the view that active Indian lobby in the USA was successful in getting some clauses of their interest added into the final draft of the Kerry Lugar Bill. "This was just ridiculous to add into the bill that Pakistan should ensure that no terrorist act is carried out in the neighbouring countries. This seems absurd as India itself is responsible for its internal security, and how can Pakistan control the law and order situation in the neighbouring countries, especially on Indian soil," he wondered.
"All such clauses need to be addressed so as any ambiguity in the defence circles could be eliminated, and the army could shift its focus entirely on the Waziristan operation to make it another success story," he emphasised. Swat operation has set a pattern that should evoke optimism and confidence both inside and outside Pakistan. It also erases fears of a potentially drawn-out conflict in the tribal areas.
Let us consider why?. Military officials claim that close to 400 soldiers and officers have lost their lives since the operation in the Malakand and Swat regions was launched in early May. Currently, the Army, backed up by local officials, is pursuing a two-pronged strategy: chasing and catching militants with one hand, and protecting civilians from the wrath of despairing militants with the other, all while consolidating its hold on cleared areas.
Some observers, nevertheless, think much more needs to be done. "The credibility of the state's ability to fix rogue elements is also at stake," said retired Lieutenant General Talat Masood, now a defence analyst.
"Pakistani state institutions have to deliver as an increasingly sceptical and cynical public looks to its government not only for safety, but also for a radical improvement in governance," Masood added. A second favourable indicator is the return of more than 1.7 million people displaced by the fighting since mid-July to their homes in the Malakand region.
This underscores that perceptions of the Pakistani military's complicity with the extremist movements have given way to more confidence in the government and Army actions against "miscreants." "It is now the politicians' turn to get back home and lead the community from the front," said political analyst Anees Jeelani. He says the security forces can do this job only partially. Giving permanence to the entire process establishing the government's writ, rebuilding homes and businesses, and rehabilitating former militants - requires politicians to lead from the front.
The third reason for optimism is the interception of dozens of alleged suicide bombers in north-west Pakistan and the subsequent drop in such attacks. The biggest reason for this could be confusion and disarray among the ranks of terrorists outfits, which have suffered one blow after another since early August. Lastly, most of Pakistan's Western allies, led by the United States, are now more grateful to Islamabad for its effective actions against militants.
"One of the ways I measure progress is ... I look at Pakistan over the last 12 months and the success of their Frontier Corps, the success of their military in terms of its operations in Swat and the movement in that direction to address the extremists in their own country," chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, told a September 5 Pentagon news conference.
We have come a long way since last September, when Pakistani Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani issued a veiled warning against the repeat of a ground assault by helicopter-borne US Marines in South Waziristan. The level of trust between the two armies has considerably improved over the past year, though the United States has yet to give Pakistan the Predator drone technology that has taken out several top al Qaeda and Taliban leaders in the country.
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