Flashpoint FATA

Last week8217;s bomb blasts in the heart of Islamabad have sharpened international focus on Pakistan.

Last week8217;s bomb blasts in the heart of Islamabad have sharpened international focus on Pakistan. Once again, the needle of suspicion is turning towards Pakistan8217;s restive tribal areas. The Federally Administered Tribal Areas FATA have been on the frontline since the US-led war on terror began in Afghanistan. Located on the north-western border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, FATA is a club of seven tribal agencies which form the fifth territorial component of Pakistan outside its four provinces. The region is beyond the jurisdiction of the laws that govern Pakistan. FATA is still governed by the Frontier Crimes Regulation introduced by the British. Parliamentary representatives are barred from being affiliated to political parties and the writ of tribal chieftains prevails. The fall of the Taliban across the Durand Line has unleashed an avalanche of violent defensive action by the primarily Pashtun people of FATA, who nurture a very strong sense of community with the Afghans. Kurram Agency is simmering with sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis, the US is fighting the remnants of the Taliban and the Pakistani Army is now retaliating against US incursions, which brings region close to a civilian uprising. With experts from Pakistan, Ruchika Talwar takes stock of the situation.

Three days have passed since bomb blasts rocked Islamabad. No one has claimed responsibility yet. Militants in FATA are known to be well equipped; and given the sophisticated material used on Saturday, does FATA come under the lens before any other place?

Recently all major militant groups based in Pakistan have shifted base to the tribal areas. Mainstream groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban, splinter groups operating in Kashmir and Punjabi-speaking outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jaish-e-Mohammad 8212; operate from FATA now, making it the obvious target of suspicion.

Brig Retd Mahmood Shah, former security chief, FATA

What is the conflict in FATA all about? Is the 8216;non-mainstreaming8217; of FATA a cause of discontent?

It is an underdeveloped area with the lowest socio-economic indicators in Pakistan. The border with Afghanistan is non-existent. After the fall of the erstwhile USSR, Afghan mujahideen kept crossing into FATA and have stayed back since. At the behest of Pakistan and the US, this area became a sanctuary for them. They use this part of Pakistan to operate in Afghanistan. Whoever is out of power in Kabul, seeks refuge in FATA and NWFP. Since the Taliban are out of power in Afghanistan, they are here and hence the conflict.

A majority of the people would want to preserve their special status. Most of them are now fed up of the strife and want to lead normal lives, though with traditional style. They want roads, electricity and education. Interestingly, the demand for girls8217; schools has increased.

Rahimullah Yusufzai, Peshawar-based resident editor of The News.

The US military is now going to train Pakistan8217;s Frontier Constabulary, which operates in FATA. Isn8217;t Pakistan asking for trouble by letting the US physically into FATA?

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I think so. This would exacerbate the militants8217; anger. Also, the US and Pakistani armies aren8217;t ideologically congruous. Pakistani army, like the Indian army is essentially a British-style force which focuses on maneouvers whereas the US army stresses the use of force and ammunition. In Iraq, despite being more sensitive, Basra was controlled faster by the British troops than Baghdad which was under US forces.

Brig Retd Mahmood Shah

There have been several incursions by the US into Pakistan since 2001. Why is the government opposing it only now?

The frequency and intensity of the action has gone up dramatically. The US never engaged in any land operations earlier. With a democratic dispensation at the Centre and free flow of information, voices are being raised against the action now. At present, the anti-US sentiments are at a high pitch.

Lt Gen Retd Talat Masood, an Islamabad-based defence and strategic analyst

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Proportionately, the incursions have increased since Pervez Musharraf resigned. In his nine years, there were 36 incursions whereas the present government has already seen 24 in less than six months. I think the deal between the US and Benazir Bhutto asked for greater vigilantism and repulsive action.

Gen Retd Hameed Gul, former ISI chief

US President George W Bush hailed Pakistan as its 8220;most trusted8221; ally on the war on terror. Then why is Pakistan8217;s territorial sovereignty being violated so much?

The US elections seem to have a bearing on the heightened action in the tribal areas. Bush wants to go down in history as the man who weeded the world of troublemakers. Ever since he announced the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, Israel has been edgy. Hence Pakistan has to be chastised.

Hameed Gul

Does Pakistan run the risk of harming ties with the US because of its retaliatory action? What are the options before Pakistan to register its protest?

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No one in the world wants to confront the US. But there are many cards we can play if we want to like a major strategic shift in our internal and external policy or a token non-cooperation.

Talat Masood

Aren8217;t the people of FATA responsible for their fate? Foreign mujahideen 8212; Uzbeks and Arabs8212;have been fighting for the Taliban. If the government attempts to cleanse its territory of disruptive foreign elements, why do the residents oppose the action?

These foreigners have now been living there for very long and have forged alliances with their families. As per Pakhtoonwali the unwritten Pashtun code of conduct to grant refuge to anyone, even the enemy prohibits them from offending these foreigners. Pashtuns realise that these foreigners left their homeland to fight for their cause. The Arabs brought money when they came to Pakistan. All these factors give them a cover.

Rahimullah Yusufzai