Swat peace deal: right or wrong?

Monday, February 23, 2009

One can understand the provincial government’s desire to stop the killing and barbarism that has afflicted Swat, a problem that it inherited. What is difficult to understand is the logic behind the decision to make a deal with the violent, extremist religious groups in Swat, considering the inclusive and secular philosophy of the political parties in charge of both the central and provincial governments. The decision therefore cannot be seen as ideology driven. It is also highly unlikely that the government is moving to impose strict ‘sharia’ law, for which none of their constituents have voted for, in the rest of the country.

However, by sanctioning this deal, the central government, in particular has embarked upon a very slippery slope that will erode its authority and hard-earned democratic mandate, more so than some other unfulfilled election promises such as the restoration of the constitution or judiciary. The consequence of this expedient decision is the re-enforcement of the ‘might-is-right’ principle and for every two bit extremist, wishing to extract their pound of flesh, to engage in further violence.

The fundamental question is not whether the ceasefire will hold in Swat, but whose interpretation of Sharia the federal and NWFP governments have just sanctioned. And what may occur when this comes into conflict with some other groups’ interpretation? This is almost a certainty, self-evident by the existence of numerous religious groups and religio-political parties in Pakistan.

R Matif

London

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This is with reference to the argument that since the UK negotiated with the IRA and Sri Lanka with the LTTE, there is no harm in talking to the Taliban. What is forgotten is that neither the UK nor Sri Lanka handed over any territory to their rebels, as Pakistan has done in Swat. By allowing militants to retain control of Swat, we have in effect accepted that we are not able to defend the motherland. We shouldn’t be surprised if our major cities are swamped by madressah students demanding that they should be given powers to run the country in accordance with their version of Islam.

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi

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Many people are asking whether the Taliban in Swat who committed many atrocities will be brought to justice. This is all well and good but what about the security forces? Will those responsible for the many civilian deaths in the valley also be held accountable?

Ziaullah Rahmani

Swat

Source: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=164098