Nazia Nazar
Manzoor Pashteen, whose name recently popped-up during demonstration against extra-Judicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud in Islamabad, alleged that army is falsely making tall claims of progress in South Waziristan, perhaps to catch of camera. The fact of the matter is that Army destroyed the infrastructure and network of the terrorists and made it possible for IDPs to go back to their abodes. It is sincerely making efforts to uplift the life of masses in Pashtun Tribal belt, and the people of Federally Administrated Areas (FATA) are witness to the fact that Pakistan Army has contributed a great deal towards nation building both in kinetic and non-kinetic realms. Inter alia, the socio-economic spheres such as education, health, communication and telephony, national logistics, infrastructural development, and disaster management including rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities in the aftermath of natural calamities are but a few to note.
In line with its counterinsurgency strategy, Pakistan Army has made noteworthy contributions towards the development of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), especially the North and South Waziristan Agencies, and the Malakand Division including Swat, after successful Operation Rah-e-Rast and Operation Rah-e-Nijat and Zarb-e-Azb. The transformation has marked a host of milestones in recent years: ranging from rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Swat and South Waziristan Agency to building of road networks, rebuilding of the schools destroyed by the terrorists to construction of new schools, and from agricultural development initiatives to trade enhancement projects. The construction of Central Trade Corridor (CTC) is another major step, which is nothing less than a miracle and no smaller a gift by the army to the people of a conflict-torn region. It is a socio-economic project that systematically nets together Pakistan and Afghanistan by acting as a meaningful link between the Indus Highway of Pakistan and the Afghan Ring Road. Built by the Pakistan Army and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) over the last few years, it is 714 kilometres long road network. For such projects, the Army has followed an institutional approach. Then COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had pushed this development work in FATA, whereas later COAS General Raheel Sharif had also pursued the development works vigorously. The North and South Waziristan Agencies are located adjacent to the eastern Afghan provinces like Khost, Paktia and thus provide for an appropriate link both with Kabul and Kandhar – two important trade hubs in Afghanistan. On the other hand, the Waziristan Corridor also connects the FATA, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab province. Violence inhibited development, and lack of development cultivated an environment conducive for violence. Increased development is expected to decrease the degree of violence. Education, health facilities, economic opportunities and civic services travel over the roads to reach the people of such remote regions. Due to various reasons, including the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan, violence and poverty are shared attributes of the tribes inhabiting both sides of border. They are co-dependent in socio-economic spheres. Thus, transformational measures can have concurrent effect on both sides. Generally, this has been the context of construction of Central Trade Corridor. It has already started paying dividends. The people of Waziristan have hailed the project.
Today, 11 out of 34 Afghan provinces adjoin three federating units of Pakistan to include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Ethnically, Pashtun population bestrides the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Besides hundreds of cattle-and-foot-tracks, there are dozens of vehicle-worthy roads and tracks crossing over the border. Some over 50,000 people from both sides cross the border daily using these frequented and unfrequented routes. Most of these routes are smuggling prone. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to counteract, and to utilize all available routes and corridors in a mutually agreed and internationally legitimized manner. This is why the Central Trade Corridor (CTC) is also listed among the routes of Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). The construction of Central Trade Corridor is a step in the right direction, as it would shorten the time distance between north-western Pakistan and south-eastern Afghanistan.
After the assassination of Naqeebullah Mehsud, Pakistan’s detractors tried to use the situation to bring Pakistan in disrepute. Afghanistan’s Mashaal Radio and Deewa Radio had started a tirade and exploited Pashtun community by stirring anti-Pakistan sentiments. Killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud was condemned in Pakistan by all and sundry, and apex court has been pressurizing police to arrest Rao Anwar and others involved in extra-judicial killings. Meanwhile, former Superintend of Police Rao Anwar appeared before the court on Wednesday and was arrested. The court appointed Joint Investigation Team comprising officials of the Sindh police to grill the officer. His name will remain on the Exit Control List (ECL) as per the order of the Supreme Court on 23rd January when he had made botched attempt to flee the country.
