A cloud of fear hangs over the land. It is more harmful than the war on terror, the judge’s issue, the economic meltdown and the air of political uncertainty. This terrible cloud must go.
Pakistan ’s economy has been adversely affected by terrorist and suicide attacks. Repeated bombings frighten foreigners. Coupled with such news are the foolish “advisories” issued by foreign governments which discourage travel to Pakistan . When the US declared Islamabad a non-family station, most American families left; and with the French and British Schools shut down scores of families, otherwise perfectly happy in Pakistan , were forced to leave for the sake of their children’s education.
Why the panic? It is not solely because of suicide bombings or terrorist attacks, but more the result of how Pakistan ’s leaders deal with these attacks. Their reaction, regretfully, is pathetic.
Take the example of a typical government minister. A day before joining the cabinet, he moves freely across the land. The moment he is sworn in he suddenly wants armored cars, police escorts, gunmen at his office and his home, etc. Suddenly from a free person he becomes a victim of his own fear. The signal he sends out is that, although he is a politician, he is afraid of his people and therefore he must hide from them. He forgets that Pakistanis do not even recognize the several hundred federal and provincial ministers, leave alone pose a threat to them.
In a land where political leaders are frightened of their own people, what message do they give to foreigners.
Worst still are the military. As they rise in rank, officers become increasingly frightened of their own people. By the time they command a division or a corps they are so frightened of Pakistanis that they shelter behind armored cars and motorcades bursting with gun-toting soldiers. When generals are so afraid of their own citizens what would become of them when they face an enemy?
One of the more shameful proposals was to build a security wall in Islamabad , behind which the people’s representatives could hide from the people. Thankfully this odious suggestion was shot down. But the mere fact that it was even considered shows the leadership’s mindset of fear.
Leaders contribute further to this state of despondency by canceling even routine social and cultural events. Their fear feeds upon itself, leading to more fear and creating an atmosphere of doom and gloom. IMF teams refuse to visit Islamabad . They hold meetings with our ministers in Dubai . Cricket match venues are shifted from Pakistan to Abu Dhabi . Others are cancelled altogether. The Presidency is turned into a Shadi-hall on security grounds. The farce of fear is endless.
This cannot be permitted to continue.
After the failed suicide attack on him, Musharref brought in new security measures, armored cars, jammers, decoys, dummy motorcades, route lining, blocked streets, barricades, machine-gun nests, etc costing billions. This was a knee-jerk reaction, not a professional approach to a serious security threat. Leaders across the globe are as vulnerable as ours are. But the streets of their capitals are not lined with hundreds of gun-toting soldiers.
Our leaders must understand that there is a huge difference between security and stupidity. Sensible behavior is far more important than ostentatiousness; and professional security more effective than hundreds of soldiers lining roads. On average 500 armed men spend 2 hours lining a VIP route. This concept of security, coupled with motorcades of 20 cars or more, is not only outmoded and wasteful, but is itself a breach of security. It gives potential attackers time to get organized, and a several kilometers strech in which to plan an attack.
Today’s concept of VIP security is one of no route lining; a small detachment of 3 vehicles; a dozen highly trained men; and roads cleared for no more than 2 minutes ----- simple, safe, economical, effective; but not ostentatious.
Hundreds of men released from road-lining are better employed on intelligence and security duties which provide genuine safety for the common man, not ego trips for VIPs. Effective human intelligence is critical for fighting terrorism, and it needs more resources and personnel. It is also necessary for re-establishing the writ of the state, which is fast eroding in frontline districts.
The best security for those who are frightened of their own people is that they should not accept high profile jobs. Plenty of people are perfectly willing to become ministers and governors without being terrified of the public and without demanding elaborate security. Similarly, plenty of military and police officers would willingly become generals without wanting an obscene display of fear and without demanding huge armored escorts to hide them from their own citizens.
It is time for our leaders to stand tall and face the consequences. If generals, ministers, admirals, bureaucrats and even police officers overcome their own fear, they will defeat the objectives of terrorists, which feeds on public panic. They should accept a degree of personal risk. Or decline the job. Once civil and military leaders stop being frightened of their own people, foreigners will also feel safe.
Obviously this goes hand in hand with-over all good governance. The government faces many serious problems. Most important, our security and foreign policies need a major overhaul. We need a careful review of how to deal with all the five different wars being fought around us---- Osama’s war against the US; Afghans fighting to eject the US-led occupation army from their land; Pakistani Taliban fighting to impose shariat by force, particularly in Dir and Swat; Baluch nationalists fighting for independence; and Americans launching drone and missile attacks from Afghanistan and killing Pakistanis. Only when these five wars end can terrorism be completely eradicated and an environment created where locals and foreigners feel comfortable in investing in the country’s prosperity.
One thing we need to watch out for. We must not get prematurely euphoric over Obama’s brilliant election victory. Despite having lived in Gujranwala and hunted in Sind, his concern is the security of America , not of Pakistan . That could mean more drone attacks on FATA, or even a major ground assault. Both Obama and General Petraeus have publicly declared these options open.
To overcome the massive challenges of today our leaders must come out of hiding and once again lead from the front, with personal courage and with faith in their people. . And fast. Otherwise the likeable Obama may well prove more lethal than the despised George Bush.
|
