Two years on

Zarb-e-Azb came after years of bloody terror inflicted by the TTP, which had a safe haven in North Waziristan where the writ of the state did not extend and where the TTP had been spreading its message of terror and had gone even beyond to target the rest of the country. All these problems needed to be tackled. Zarb-e-Azb has been a success to a considerable extent on the first front, as the ability of the TTP to carry out spectacular attacks in major urban areas – while far from extinguished – has been greatly reduced. We may face the occasional devastating attack, like those on the Bacha Khan University and Lahore’s Iqbal Park this year, but it is undeniable that the TTP, busy being engaged on the battlefield, cannot carry out as many attacks as it used to. As for establishing the writ of the state, Zarb-e-Azb has been a qualified success. There are large swathes of territory that the TTP previously ruled over which have now been taken back.        Soldiers in Fata are not just fighting; they are also trying to piece together this war-torn region brick-by-brick under a number of development packages funded both by the government and the international community.

On the occasion of the second anniversary of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, DG ISPR Asim Bajwa said that over 60 percent of IDPs have returned to Fata. The IDPs have been the greatest sufferers in this war – both at the hands of the TTP and then in the aftermath of Zarb-e-Azb when they had to leave their homes, live in makeshift homes in other parts of the country while being demonised by political opportunists trying to stoke ethnic tensions. Until their rehabilitation is complete, which means rebuilding their houses and giving them the opportunity to find livelihood, it would be premature to declare the war won.    It would also be remiss not to acknowledge many of the hardships faced by the IDPs, some unavoidable because of the war and others which they had to face for no reason. Last year returning IDPs were asked to sign a loyalty agreement declaring an oath to the constitution, the Frontier Crimes Regulation and local customs. There was no need to insult those who have suffered the wrath of the TTP more than anyone else in this way. Even IDPs who have returned are facing problems such as food insecurity and ‘kacha’ housing. More money will have to be poured into their rehabilitation along with ensuring that the approximately 350,000 remaining IDPs can return home too.

          As successful as Zarb-e-Azb has been,      a military operation alone was never going to be enough destroy the menace our state and society have been up against. We needed a broader approach – which is, sadly, still lacking. The National Action Plan was meant to tackle that but efforts appear to have been concentrated only on those aspects that relate to the battlefield and law enforcement. Of equal import is the problem of the mindset behind militant extremism. We see this reflected when women, minorities and other groups at various forums are threatened and assaulted. We also see the same thinking form a part of classroom curriculums, sermons delivered from mosque pulpits and words said by politicians. To alter this, we need political effort to go alongside the military one. Winning a war as difficult as this one requires more than brawn but we haven’t put our brains to use effectively. Now, two years in, perhaps the government and military can enlist us in the fight too by being more open about what is happening, both in the operation and in fighting the ideas behind it.