Taliban seeks secure sanctury in Swat Valley
Before Pakistan makes permanent a deal with the Taliban, allowing them a safe sanctuary in the Swat Valley, it is time for the West to press Islamabad to weigh all its options before finalizing an agreement with a group known for its extreme excesses, says counter terrorism expert, Farhana Ali
A parallel reality exists in Pakistan's Swat valley. For at least a year, the tolerant Taliban, as they are now being called, have enforced their version of Islam on a local population unwilling to concede to a religious doctrine they do not believe in. Contrary to Western perception, Islamic law is acceptable and attractive to the conservative communities in northwestern Pakistan. What is not tolerated is the interpretation of Islamic law by fanatics-cum-friends of the Pakistani state.
That the Taliban are permitted to establish a justice system and therefore claim to be the custodians of the Swat Valley should be a showstopper. Instead, Islamabad is moving forward with modest enthusiasm to secure a permanent relationship with the Taliban in an oddly bloodless deal.
The headlining event evokes suspicion and surprise. Many observers have rightly expressed concern and disillusionment at Pakistan's spectacular mechanics of dialogue with a staunch enemy. Most of us do not believe that in exchange for peace, the Pakistani state can enforce the Taliban to lay down their arms or renege on their call for jihad. It is also incredulous to think that Islamabad will be able to fulfill the militants' demands, which include the release of all prisoners, withdraw military forces, and tolerate the use of weapons and war.
In truth, only insiders can understand why and how the provisional government, led by the Awami National Party (ANP), agreed to an awkward arrangement with Mullah Sufi Mohammad and his son-in-law. Why the ANP, a secular and proud Pashtun nationalist party, agreed to talk to an uncanny cast of characters known for their unpredictable and untrustworthy behavior is worth noting.
Last week, a former political agent in the tribal areas helped me understand how the outlandish plan with the Taliban emerged. In his view, truce with tyrants will never work. He told me the following: "As you know I am a stanch progressive Pukhtun nationalist. My critical view is that the enforcement of Nizam–E-Adal (Shariah law) was agreed upon by TNSM and the Awami National Party because Pakistan's secret agencies manipulated the deal. This is a very dangerous action.
Truce in the district of Swat is planned by Pakistan's Intelligence Service (ISI), who forced Asfandyar (the leader of ANP) to sign the agreement with their people (TNSM and Baitullah Mehsud's Taliban) with other religious authorities. That includes Pakistan's leading Islamic party, Jama'at Islami, with support from former ISI General Hamid Gul and the charity banned for the Mumbai attacks, the Jama'at-ud-Dawa. Most of the ANP leaders are disappointed about this agreement and me too.
It is the beginning of the victories for the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the ISI. This truce would empower the Taliban in the whole of Malakand Division. The impact of the agreement would be more dangerous than what we expect because the ISI and the Al-Qaeda network have succeeded in establishing their religious doctrine. This is peace for religious extremists only. The entire area of Malakand agency (comprised of eight districts) would be a safe heaven for them and a graveyard for the democratic and liberal people of Pakistan."
The former political officer is not alone in his opinion. Other Pashtun nationalists agree that the government is isolating other options by tolerating a tenacious Taliban. To reverse the current trend of fear and credulousness in the Swat Valley, Pashtuns I know are asking the West to support them by establishing a fighting force to eliminate the extremists once and for all. Military might coupled with political power for local Pashtuns is an option that should be examined.
An aid worker in Peshawar, who successfully negotiated with the Taliban last year to secure the release of kidnapped officers, told me a political framework is the answer to long-lasting peace. If he is right, then this is the time to support Pashtun secularists against Pashtun criminals before it is too late. Before Pakistan makes permanent a deal with the Taliban, allowing them a safe sanctuary, it is time for the West to press Islamabad to weigh all its options before finalizing an agreement with a group known for its extreme excesses.
