Pakistan is not resolving the contradictions of its anti- terrorist strategy. As a consequence, we get a bit of relief through use of brutal force but terrorist attacks keep coming back after a brief pause.We win loads of battles but we don't win the war.
The basic problem is this totalitarian world view.This worldview is all about annihilation, destruction and nothingness.It is there in culture for centuries but we have aligned religion to its 20th century versions.
The problem with this worldview is that it does away with laws, ethics and humanity.Therefore with this worldview, it is possible for any totalitarian to do any meanest deed because all he needs is bravos from himself and the group he belongs to.
A worldview without any adherence to laws, ethics and humanity is a constant doing of worst kind of deeds.
The challenge is to fight against these totalitarian interpretations of religion.Pakistan tends to think over it for a while but does not challenge these interpretations.
No challenge means extremism becomes a widespread reality which could be used by any clever ideologue for terrorist deeds.For a totalitarian ideologue, it is money and power and for everybody else ,it is tragedy and misery.We see it, we suffer it but we don't challenge it because this challenge means a large scale reform program.And this large scale and long lasting reform program is not our cup of tea.
However, without hurting the ideological basis of terrorism, we cannot be successful against it for long.It is like catching the weapons without closing the factories that produce the weapons.In spite of our best efforts some weapons are bound to slip through our safety net.We should focus on closing the factories too.
For example, if we manage to delete all of Zia and Jamat e Islami stuff from the education system and replace it with useful stuff based upon scientific method, citizenship and democracy, we would have better chances against terrorism.If the school system is producing good citizens,we will have natural force against terrorists.Alas, we are not doing anything like that.
We could inspire people for support against terrorism but we will have to respect their dignity and their rights.This would increase their sense of belonging and an increased sense of belonging would lead to creative solutions.Pakistani policy makers do not even acknowledge the indifference and alienation. consequently what happens to the people is no concern of policy makers and what happens to other people does not worry the unaffected majority.Another consequence is that policy making remains with a limited circle without any real feedback from the reality side of things.
It is democracy which creates and improves relations but the bitch is always in danger trying to survive somehow which reduces its influence on policy making.Our problem is that being important means blocking the difference of opinion or killing the freedom of expression.
Another important aspect of success of a terrorist attack is intelligence gathering failure.Well, we need intelligent people for intelligence gathering.But when our system does not value intelligence, we would keep failing in gathering intelligence.We have no shortage of intelligent people but if we are not going to link intelligence with our work, all the gifts of life would be quite useless especially when it comes to doing something good.
We need a better coordination system with Afghanistan but when they fail against terrorism, we like it and when we fail they like it.Our mutual resentment gives terrorists more room and more opportunities.Every now and then there are efforts about better relations but both countries do not really overcome this mutual dislike.
Fifty odd years of menace that hurt both countries should be enough to persuade that it is common problem and needs better coordination but this worldview does not allow us to trust each other.
The media could focus on the human tragedy aspect of it but they cannot come out of their cheap sentimentality.
There are solutions but when minds are made up, it does not make much difference but thinking up something possible useful is a a bit better than doing nothing.
The problem with this worldview is that it does away with laws, ethics and humanity.Therefore with this worldview, it is possible for any totalitarian to do any meanest deed because all he needs is bravos from himself and the group he belongs to.
A worldview without any adherence to laws, ethics and humanity is a constant doing of worst kind of deeds.
The challenge is to fight against these totalitarian interpretations of religion.Pakistan tends to think over it for a while but does not challenge these interpretations.
No challenge means extremism becomes a widespread reality which could be used by any clever ideologue for terrorist deeds.For a totalitarian ideologue, it is money and power and for everybody else ,it is tragedy and misery.We see it, we suffer it but we don't challenge it because this challenge means a large scale reform program.And this large scale and long lasting reform program is not our cup of tea.
However, without hurting the ideological basis of terrorism, we cannot be successful against it for long.It is like catching the weapons without closing the factories that produce the weapons.In spite of our best efforts some weapons are bound to slip through our safety net.We should focus on closing the factories too.
For example, if we manage to delete all of Zia and Jamat e Islami stuff from the education system and replace it with useful stuff based upon scientific method, citizenship and democracy, we would have better chances against terrorism.If the school system is producing good citizens,we will have natural force against terrorists.Alas, we are not doing anything like that.
We could inspire people for support against terrorism but we will have to respect their dignity and their rights.This would increase their sense of belonging and an increased sense of belonging would lead to creative solutions.Pakistani policy makers do not even acknowledge the indifference and alienation. consequently what happens to the people is no concern of policy makers and what happens to other people does not worry the unaffected majority.Another consequence is that policy making remains with a limited circle without any real feedback from the reality side of things.
It is democracy which creates and improves relations but the bitch is always in danger trying to survive somehow which reduces its influence on policy making.Our problem is that being important means blocking the difference of opinion or killing the freedom of expression.
Another important aspect of success of a terrorist attack is intelligence gathering failure.Well, we need intelligent people for intelligence gathering.But when our system does not value intelligence, we would keep failing in gathering intelligence.We have no shortage of intelligent people but if we are not going to link intelligence with our work, all the gifts of life would be quite useless especially when it comes to doing something good.
We need a better coordination system with Afghanistan but when they fail against terrorism, we like it and when we fail they like it.Our mutual resentment gives terrorists more room and more opportunities.Every now and then there are efforts about better relations but both countries do not really overcome this mutual dislike.
Fifty odd years of menace that hurt both countries should be enough to persuade that it is common problem and needs better coordination but this worldview does not allow us to trust each other.
The media could focus on the human tragedy aspect of it but they cannot come out of their cheap sentimentality.
There are solutions but when minds are made up, it does not make much difference but thinking up something possible useful is a a bit better than doing nothing.
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