News

The alleged master mind of 9/11 attacks on US, Bin Laden, is dead. The search and kill operation, named “Geranimo” was executed by a team of US seals, who are specialized in conducting similar operations.

The operation was termed a victory for US, as its decade long struggle against the Al-Qaeda leadership finally reaped fruit. American people got thrilled by this achievement and celebrated the day with joy.

Bin Laden’s death certainly relieved the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan that they have finally succeeded in achieving an important target. However, this operation raised many questions among the Pakistani community, both living abroad and in the country. First of all, they are not happy about the breach of their national sovereignty and secondly, they are questioning the skills and abilities of highly regarded Pakistani Intelligence organizations and military.

This operation was conducted right next to the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), the spawn point of our brave Army officers. Media channels started an endless tirade on the failure of our intelligence agencies and military in identifying the location of Bin Laden. This propaganda is further fuelling public hatred and anger on this matter. 

Additionally, more confusion was created by the conflict  official statements  of the Pakistan  government . Even the Prime Minister has spoken on a number of occasions about this operation. The contradiction in all these statements is obvious, which is also pointing towards the intra-governmental divide that is existent for a long time.

 Initially, the people were told that radars got jammed, which prevented an early response against the intruding forces. Some days later, it was revealed that the radars were working but the stealth technology used in the helicopter prevented its detection by our radars.

In spite of what happened in reality, all that the people were expecting was an answer that could help them calm down. However, it never happened.
Pakistan is a frontline ally in the war against terror. Of course this calls for a lot of responsibility from its part. It is also largely believed that our armed forces and intelligence agencies have actually sustained a lot of damage in fighting this war. In this particular incident, not only the American forces breached our national sovereignty but left us in a more confused state of mind than ever before.
Its only now, when almost 2 weeks have passed since the operation that our media has shifted its focus on other important issues. Otherwise, every news channel was presenting a dedicated telethon on the how Osama was killed. Some of the channels even prepared animated clips of American Navy Seals dislodging from the helicopter and conducting the whole operation. I believe that was too much. Pakistani media’s old habit of holding a trial and giving verdict is still very much practiced. 

This is certainly not the time to blame one or the other group, party or the establishment. If this operation was carried out in the precinct of PMA and the response of our forces only came when the Americans had left then it is the right time to revisit our strategies and policies. 

We certainly don’t want to feed more than half of our budget to an army that can’t even ensure the safety of its country.

Let’s keep this incident aside for a moment and review our sovereignty from another point of view. All those religio-political parties that support the actions of militant organizations are also not doing any favor to this nation. They have always played with the emotions of Pakistanis and have black mailed them in the name of religion. Religion (Islam) is certainly not under the ownership of a sect or group, but belongs to everyone following it.  The militant organizations that are fighting against the state and its people are also breaching our national sovereignty and the dilemma is that they are already present among us. They incite people, particularly youth in carrying out suicide missions and a lot more. So, if Osama has been killed then it certainly is a big achievement, so the supporters of those parties that are holding his funeral prayers in absentia and are calling his burial at sea against the teachings of Islam should rethink. If it really is the matter of national sovereignty and interest then they should stop doing this at once.

If we as Pakistanis are not prepared to get rid of the double standards being followed in every walk of life then we should prepare for such operations in the future as well. When the enemy is present among us, living with us and we are surprisingly unaware of it, then we should stop blaming others for what we have sown ourselves.

We are certainly not clear on how to tackle the issue of terrorism. One on hand, we lack a viable anti-terrorism strategy, and on the other we have dual standards. The sentiment that our intelligence agencies and its rogue elements are providing protection to anti-state elements is growing among the public. Media is further fuelling the fire, and if it won’t stop then the public would once again lose trust in its defense forces, which have always been regarded highly.

Time for non-serious ventures has passed. We can’t feed the beast anymore, because it has turned against us now. Otherwise we should stop ranting about our national sovereignty and close this chapter forever.

by Gulmina Bilal Ahmad

The writer is  the  Director of  Individualland Pakistan and a seminar facilitator of the International Academy for Leadership (IAF).

• Website of Individualland Pakistan
• Website of FNF South Asia