Greetings from a new entrant here....
It is indeed good and a positive aspect that Pakistan has atleast started to move against these evil elements now. The only question needs to be seen, is whether this is being done sincerely or this is a hogwash, started simply because of international pressure, to just hoodwink others into cooling the raised tempers. Yes, many Indians are pessimistic about this, with a reason. Just see the recent history when Musharaff was pressured into a similar situation, wherein he outlawed and imprisoned many LeT. What happened further to those? The whole bunch was quietly letoff, & they regrouped in different names and grown in strength financially & influence wise.
Let me quote from an Wolf Blitzer(CNN) interview of Condoleezza Rice this Sunday, as reported by Pakistani national daily Dawn.
Full Report here: http:/dawn.com/2008/12/09/top9.htm
Commenting on the interview, diplomatic observers in Washington said it made it obvious that the United States had left no option for Pakistan but to crack-down on the group already declared a terrorist outfit by Washington.
Many Pakistani friends here, wants to believe that Pakistan has indeed moved against these militants NOT because of pressure from either India or US, but because of their own needs, mainly from a miskewed sense of national pride . Let them find solace in their beliefs. I would also have liked to believe so. Indeed it is a truth that pakistan also is NOW at the receiving end of the murederous acts of these miltiant elements. But bear in mind that, this frankestein-Monster was earlier created & nurtured for many years, by the Pakistani intelligence establishment for waging a proxy war against india, and is now turned uncontrollable, or turned against the creators also to some extent. Hear about the story of the chickens coming home to roost!
Let me move way from a recriminative approach, and attempt a positive one. I think that the current GoP & many moderate elements in the pakistani civil society did want to move purposefully & assertively against these militiants, just to set their own house in order, even without (or even before) the mumbai terror incidents. But wanting & doing are different things. They were not able to do anything significantly or substantively against the militants hitherto, because of huge resistance from the powerfull & influential (& more vocal) conservative forces within & also their supporters in the military/intelligence establishment. The GoP did not have the will to fight against them beyond a point, & I for one cannot blame them, because knowing pakistan's fractured (military/ democratic) history, they will be doing so at their own peril, & paving the way for a military takeover, and hence ending their young democratic experiment. This exactly is the dilemma being faced by the Indian nation, and holding their hands, in moving against pakistan, apart from the disastrous fallout of a war in the region.
But now I think pakistan has a real chance to set their house in order, that is if the moderates & GoP can exploit the current situation to their maximum benefit. Forget about pressure or no pressure from india/US. I wish them well in this endeavour, if it is being conducted with a will & sincerity of purpose. For they must do this for their own interest rather than for anybody else - let alone india. i.e if they want to retrieve the damage caused by their internationally perceived image of being the safe heaven (& ofcourse hand in glove with) for all international islamic terrorists.
Now I have seen that some people here are allergic to responses from indians, even with good intentions, because of the highly charged atmosphere. So let me provide one from a respected pakistani journalist who is considered a moderate.
Irfan Hussains column on Pakistan national daily
Dawn : "
Facing the Truth". Let me see how many can identify with his views.
Full article: http:/dawn.com/weekly/mazdak/20080312.htm Some simple quotes from his article will suffice here.
Over the last few years, I have travelled to several countries across four continents. Everywhere I go, I am asked why Pakistan is now the focal point of Islamic extremism and terrorism, and why successive governments have allowed this cancer to fester and grow. As a Pakistani, it is obviously embarrassing to be put on the spot, but I can see why people everywhere are concerned. In virtually every Islamic terrorist plot, whether it is successful or not, there is a Pakistani angle. Often, foreign terrorists have trained at camps in the tribal areas; others have been brainwashed in madressahs; and many more have been radicalised by the poisonous teachings of so-called religious leaders.
Madeline Albright, the ex-US secretary of state, has called Pakistan an international migraine, saying it was a cause for global concern as it had nuclear weapons, terrorism, religious extremists, corruption, extreme poverty, and was located in a very important part of the world. While none of this makes pleasant reading for a Pakistani, Ms Albrights summation is hard to refute. Often, the truth is painful, but most Pakistanis refuse to see it. Instead of confronting reality, we are in a permanent state of denial. This ostrich-like posture has made things even worse.
I am quoting Mr Hussain here only to point out that a disease (like cancer) has to be recognized & acknowledged to start a cure. Even though it is painful & hurtful to any pakistani like Mr Hussain to acknowledge so.
