""Once we have secured the area, we must move on to the next stage and provide a system for people to live in and lmeans of livelihood.While this is not the tremit of the army, it must be clearly understood that these aims will not be achieved without Army's presence and maintenance of peace. This is why we need peace and hence the army.""
"" a combo of FC and Rangers, properly equipped and trained to patrol the 'borders' esp the inlet/outlets as rest of the terrain is mountains and hills - having said that, i still feel that the border shd also be 'fenced' as far as possible - India has done that on our eastern border.""
The above comments make it abundantly clear that FATA is considered an enemy territory that has just been captured; and the Army has to be used as stabilization and development agency to win the hearts and minds of people.
Just because FATA has different language and cultural values than what is considered “mainstream” Pakistan does not justify an Army occupation. It has been and still is an integral part of the State of Pakistan. But the mandate of the State of Pakistan does not equate with that of the Govt. of Pakistan; as the later has forfeited its sovereignty to a foreign power; misusing Pakistan Army on behest of CENTCOM commanders under the “Do More” mantra.
FATA is not considered enemy territory but the porous border, semi autonomous nature and inadequate attention to its safety in the past both due to policy issues and practical limitations have all come together to ensure that serious threats have emerged in this part of Pakistan.
Threats which need to be dealt with permanently and that means with sustained and prolonged effort, not just military operation.
A plan needs to be devised and executed to ensure that this part of Pakistan is made safe from the hosts of criminals and militant degenerates who have made inroads here in the garb of religion and god knows what.
Failings of past should not serve as an excuse to not do anything to rectify the situation.
Therefore any step now taken to purge the area of the criminal element should not be seen as something not in the interest of Pakistan.
Today it was a branch of one tribe which was made leaderless and held hostage to an alien agenda and suffered, tomorrow it shall be another...this cannot be allowed to happen for the sake of all concerned and especially the people of FATA if we are to segregate to that extent and not simply call this a problem of Pakistan.
The safety and stability of FATA has to be ensured so as to push through the infrastructure development which is being carried out by Army through all the hell.
Once the area is more stable, the development work will gather much more pace and scope will increase due to many factors which currently limit the pace.
Fencing and strict vigilance of one's own border is not something that is objectionable by any means and should be seriously considered.
This shall not only help tackle the rogue groups and criminals but will also have many financial benefits since there has been billions of dollars worth of damages to Pakistani economy due to excessive and unchecked smuggling of goods in and out of Pakistan.
It will not guarantee 100% stop but even a 70% success rate would be of tremendous benefit.
