Nothing can be better than this deal right now. I swear. People of Swat have had enough. The NWFP Government led by ANP signed a peace deal with Tanzeem e Nifaz e Shariat e Muhammadi TNSM. Chief Minister Hoti and elderly chief of TNSM - Maulan Sufi signed the peace accord. The deal basically states that 'shariah' will be implemented in Swat, especially Malakand where TNSM was asking for implementation of it since 1994.
A lot of hue and cry is being raised on this deal - from NATO and US to our Pakistani brethren who consider that the deal itself is defeat of the State against the militants. It is said that the deal will not work because militants don't consider it as of any value. Thats True. It is said that agreement is ultravires to the constitution as it calls for establishment of 'Darul Qadha' which would be final legal decision authority bypassing Supreme Court. Thats true. They say that militants wanted implementation of 'Shariah' - but whose shariah will it be? Sunni, shia, barelvi, deobandi, hanfi, shaafi etc etc? Thats true as well because Taliban consider all the rest as infidels. It is argued that there is no strategy mentioned as to how the militants will lay down their weapons. True I would say. It is said that the Sufi Mohammad will not be able to restrain his son-in-law, Maulvi Fazlullah or Maulana Radio (because of his illegal FM transmission in which he hurls threats to nay sayers). True too. It is said that it will give an excuse for every religious outfit to take up arms and demand implementation of Shariah. Can't argue against it.
Now tell me what could have been done otherwise to stop the mess that Swat was in? Do you have a solution? The political administration was routed by militants. Hospitals, schools, police chekposts blownup. Bridges destroyed. Courts and lawyers threatened. People being abducted, killed, slaughtered. Army was no where to help. Locals could not withstand the might of militants being well funded by every element imaginable against the security of State. what should one do to stop the downward spiral? This is what would have happened.
You should have seen the joy on Swatis. They were so jubillant that finally peace had a slim chance to survive. The Nizam e Adal system being planned is nothing new. It was running since 1996, amended in 1999. It had judges of local courts turned in to Qazi (Islamic judge). Implementatio of Shariah has long been demand of people of Swat and its an excuse for militants. Why not implement it? Let it function and see what happens. Let the pacifist in Sufi Muhammad deal with his son-in-law (He is hardly a pacifist becasue he believes in jihad all over the globe, in fact even went to Afghanistan with local boys to fight against the amercians but compared to fazlullah, his son-in-law, he is a tame goat)
So lets just be with Swatis for a moment ok? They lost their lives, livelihood and loved ones to the militancy. Lets pray for Swat to be the paradise it was once again. Pray peace.
11 comments:
Guess, i was waiting for this post of yours!
Isn't sharia law already applicable in Pakistan through constitution? If yes, what's new with this deal?
Regarding the happiness of SWAT people, i remember reading somewhere that even Afghanis were very happy the day Taliban took over Afghanistan! Maybe, one might argue that even Afghanis would be missing the stable Taliban govt now!!
so what does this mean to fight against Taliban now?
Here is the latest news, a reporter killed in SWAT who was covering the peace march.
btw, here is an Opinion from Indian newspaper, Economic Times.
In accepting this peace solution, Pakistan has admitted to a tradeoff of institutional law and order with localised , undemocratic and outlawed control. It has put a stamp to the fact that it does not have control or negotiational power over it's own territory. It has, in a desperation settled for a short term gain and a long term disaster. and those who were happy may be because they are common folks and may not see beyond their bread and butter, but those sitting in Islamabad have certainly shown shortsightedness and pushed Pakistan to a permanent vulnearability for appeal of the extremisim and outlawed.
To be fair, though not comparable as is, this is a bit like India operating with Article 370 for Kashmir. The assimilation and normalisation never happened.
In accepting this peace solution, Pakistan has admitted to a tradeoff of institutional law and order with localised , undemocratic and outlawed control. It has put a stamp to the fact that it does not have control or negotiational power over it's own territory. It has, in a desperation settled for a short term gain and a long term disaster. and those who were happy may be because they are common folks and may not see beyond their bread and butter, but those sitting in Islamabad have certainly shown shortsightedness and pushed Pakistan to a permanent vulnearability for appeal of the extremisim and outlawed.
To be fair, though not comparable as is, this is a bit like India operating with Article 370 for Kashmir. The assimilation and normalisation never happened.
Sorry, it shows error and then one ends up posting twice.
The chef,
Very true. Article 370 is the one that came to my mind after reading this post. But still, i don't understand how this is different from prev setup in Pakistan? If i understand correctly, Pakistan already has yielded more power to Provinces and it's very different from how India has Center and states. So whats new now?
Yes it is amazing that people ultimately want peace! to hell with religion or other issues.
Swat was reaching extreme, in fact had breached extreme. Unlike FATA, Swat is very urban, it was a tourists paradise, locals well aware of rights of others and some areas of Swat have 100% literacy rate.
In 1969, Swat and other princely states formally came under Pakistan Govt rule, earlier Swat was ruled by Wali e Swat (Leader of Swat), it had its own administrative and judicial setup. After 1969, the system prevalent across rest of Pakistan also came in force here. India and Pakistan, both I guess, have this extremely inefficient and corrupt judicial setup.
People got fed up. They saw their previous system as more efficient and in line with 'Islam'. The religious outfits took the cause and started to ask for its implementation. It was implemented in 1996 under Benazir Bhutto govt.
It is kinda Kashmir Article 370 type but not exactly like it either. It is different from rest of the Pakistan because it focuses on Shariah law exclusively. Constitution says that laws will be 'in accordance' with Quran and Sunah of Prophet Muhammad - not exactly 'shariah' because then there are so many sects and it becomes a problem.
So for now.. its 'shariah' and a peace deal. Mind you, people of that area have been demanding this law for decades, its nothing new.
hmm...
Isn't it Shariah applicable through out Pakistan as well?
Reg India, yes, administrative services are corrupt. But Judicial system is not that bad.
Shariah is not enforced in Pakistan. Its too difficult. There are countless sects and each has its own interpretation. Yes Pakistan is named 'Islamic', that constitution says all laws will be in accordance with Quran and Sunah.. thats it.
India and Pakistan have inherited the same legal system from British. Civil Code, Penal Code, Partnership Act, Contract Act etc - all are same with minor nip n tuck.
What we did was that we declared Ahmadis as non-muslims, introduced that draconian Blasphemy law to terrorize minorities, banned Alcohol and Voila! We have shariah :)
Did you read this link about Indian judiciary?
and now they have blownup the press club. I don't think this small time peace will come at a small cost if at all.
Well yes Indian Judiciary is mired with corruption and backlog, however it has shown signs of life and neutrality in critical matters where it has pulled up central govt. for bias and wrong doings and sometimes able to punish as well, interferred by itself, given attention to PILs etc. The only issue is that Legislature can bypass Judiciary by ordnances etc. And corruption has creeped everywhere including our sunshine industry - IT.
as I said in post.. everything is against this deal.. but this has brought 3rd day of peace till date to Swatis.
And don't fret! You guys are good :p Your Supreme Court acts way better than our judges. You win :p
hmmm...ok. Hope this Taliban virus doesn't spread more!
Post a Comment