Operation Zarbe Azb will throw many challenges

Pakistanis are waiting for the final move with caution and concern, while hopeful that a more secure, terror-free future lies ahead.
Nasim Zehra

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140622/edit.htm#2

AFTER having stayed with the dialogue option for almost eight months, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has finally gone for the long-awaited Operation Zarbe Azb (the sharp cut), named after the sword of the Prophet Mohammad. Cleared by the government, using airpower, regular troops, commandos, intelligence, tanks and artillery, the military leadership believes Zarbe Azb can destroy terrorist sanctuaries, principally in North Waziristan. For at least a decade, first the military command and subsequently the political leaders avoided undertaking a large-scale operation in the Tehreek-i-Talibaan Pakistan’s (TTP) primary base.

Over the last couple of years, the political parties passed at least two resolutions demonstrating political unity on trying the dialogue option with the Tehreek-i-Talibaan. Finally, the June 8 attack on the old Karachi airport ended the vacillation on the question of a large-scale operation. Instead of ifs and buts, an all-out operation is under way. It was the attack on the airport that struck the death knell for the dialogue process. Barring Jamaat-i-Islami, all of Pakistan’s political parties support Operation Zarbe Azb. Imran Khan’s party PTI and JUI have, however, supported it with some reservations. Among the multiple challenges that confront Pakistan and the government, especially with regard to the operation, four are noteworthy. The political challenge of unifying political forces and the people on the need for the operation is the key, especially given the fear of blowback in the urban areas. Pakistani people, hit by hundreds of attacks every year, have remained skeptical of the state’s ability to provide security to its citizens. Mindful of both the terrorist threat and the skepticism regarding the government’s track record, only a clear articulation by the Prime Minister of the problem will give the people the confidence that the risks attached to this military operation are worth taking.

The Prime Minister opted for the military public relations department to announce the operation instead of announcing it in a national address. The operation, which is viewed by the majority in Pakistan, requires complete backing by the government. The Prime Minister’s support only now seems to be rolling in. He has addressed the national Assembly on the issue and visited the Corps Headquarters of the Peshawar Corps which is leading the operation.

However in the last 72 hours, the Punjab government has managed to produce perhaps the gravest challenge ever faced ever by the PML-N government. With 20 people dead in police firing on the supporters of fire-brand religio-political Dr Tahir ul Qadri, the opposition is fast putting pressure to remove Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s younger brother. A worse political distraction at this critical point would have hardly been conceivable.


Then there is the challenge of protecting the urban areas where terrorists have shown their lethal presence through thousands of attacks over the last few years. Schools, shopping centres, mosques, churches, burial procession, dargahs, prime military, police and intelligence facilities have centres. Deadly attacks on politicians, generals and police personnel clearly signals to the ability of the terrorists’ presence within the urban centres. The government has deployed military and paramilitary forces in several cities. There is red alert in Pakistan’s key cities. People realise that foolproof security against terrorist attacks is almost impossible.

The third internal challenge is linked to the outflow of civilians from the operation area. In an effort to reduce civilian casualties, the government and the military are both encouraging civilians to vacate the operation area. More than 5,00,000 civilians are already moving out. Issues ranging from the provision for food and shelter as well as security, all require elaborate government arrangements. The chances of terrorists getting ‘lost’ within these internal displaced persons (IDPs) is also a serious issue.

Finally, the challenge on the external front is the Afghan factor. With the TTP sanctuaries in the areas of Kunar and Nooristan, and the established routes to the north of Bajaur — the tribal agency neighbouring the operation area — TTP militants are using them to conduct operations in Pakistan. Already the militant leaders who escaped to Afghanistan after the 2009 Swat operation have settled in the Afghan sanctuaries ever since. Between Kabul and Islamabad it has been the Fazullah versus the Haqqani network contest. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghan and Indian intelligence agencies of aiding the TTP against Pakistani targets. Pakistan has conveyed its request to the Afghan leadership and to the ISF commanders diplomatically and politically.

The Prime Minister’s special envoy leader, Mahmud Khan Achakzai, met with President Karzai two days ago. Pakistan is requesting that the routes near Bajaur should be sealed and there should be more effective surveillance. Pakistan’s army chief, Gen Raheel Shareef, too, in a meeting with the Afghan ambassador in Pakistan has sought Afghan deployment to discourage the militants from crossing over to the Afghan sanctuaries once the operation begins.

The operation is likely to go into full swing in the next couple of weeks. Until then, the focus is on cordoning the areas and ensuring civilians move out of the area. Pakistanis are waiting for the final move with caution and concern, while hopeful that a more secure, terror-free future lies ahead.

The writer is a Pak-based anchor