Sunday, April 12, 2009
The peace in Swat has been fragile and is far from ideal. However, the critics of the deal, who are quick to point out its various shortcomings, completely ignore the situation that the army is facing. Swat is a massively built up area where the militants have concealed themselves well in the civilian population. The population itself has not been very forthcoming about it either due to coercion or suspicions towards the army.
The breakdown of this (however imperfect) agreement is going to make the job of the army much harder. Earlier on it was hoped that it would separate the most malicious elements from the rest. The failing deal can re-unite all shades of the militants and Pakistan may have to pay dearly.
Dr Raja Muhammad Atif Azad
University of Limerick,
Ireland
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