THE RISE OF ISIS

From the Persian Gulf to Mediterranean Sea the rise of ISIS has been very interesting. The ISIS or at times referred by journalists and Obama administration as ISIL where IL stands for Islamic State of Levant has very speedily overshadowed the other extremist groups and showed its strong significance in the middle eastern region.

The invasion of Iraq in 2003, Lead by US forces acted as an impetus force and building block for the establishment of this organisation. However, when US withdrew it forces from Iraq their influence and interest even flew away. Leaving Iraq into a vulnerable situation they further, paved the way for the ultimate rise and hegemony for ISIS. Once, who were sympathisers, paid no heed to the hue and cry of the Iraqi civilians who were left at the mercy of the extremists groups and an incompetent failed government.

Furthermore, the neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait became the private donors of ISIS and backed them with all the assistance to promote wahabisim and extremism against shiaites. There were some other aligned donors as well (Syria and Turkey) who funded this extremist group for their personal interests. It is rightly said to every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction. But, the interesting thing here was that all these above mentioned countries used ISIS as their mercenary army for their personal evil interests. However by doing this they have now unleashed the monster which is now unfortunately difficult to control.

Moreover this destructive organisation would have never come into the power if Nuri ul Maliki would have not shown his dictatorial and sectarian tendencies towards Sunnis. Further his insecurity to maintain his position and the distrusts he showed towards Iraqi Sunnis and the support he took from Iran brought fear to the Sunnis and were factors to push Sunnis in the arms of ISIS.

Camp Bucca US run detention centre in Iraq was one of the main areas which became recruitment and training centre for the terrorists. The centre was not properly managed and the innocent detainees were use to be tortured. This provided the space for the extremists to take advantage and to brain wash them and further to provoke them to take their vengeance.

Another central support was given by Ba `athist to ISIS. The unemployed Ba` athists turned up to ISIS for shelter. Several Ba`athists joined ISIS and became the part of senior leader ship. They brought military, managerial and bureaucratic expertise which were lacking.

Countries for their own vested interests with open arms have nurtured this monster themselves. The allies of war on terror are the biggest beneficiaries. However, ISIS doesn’t stop here this menace is moving forward towards the black sea which is an energy corridor. This Islamic radicalization is only for the vested interests and is pseudo Jihad.

Mind The Gaps

Pakistan is going through a rough phase of instability since the time of its inception. The country is one of the most vulnerable states on the Global Peace Index, Global Gender Gap Index, Global Terrorism Index and Human Development Index. There are only two reasons which integrate all these horrible problems and they are security gap and political instability.

The lack of security gap which includes economic security and personal security is something which all the governments have horribly failed to provide their citizens. There are no strong and viable on ground policies which provide economic boost to socio economic strata. If policy makers start making effective and viable cost effective policies according to the country needs which then be debated and healthily criticized by the intellectuals. After that these policies get implemented by the concern authorities. In this manner the system can be built properly and channelized from the grass root level to the upper hierarchy. After this comes the personal security gap, which from couple of years has flared up and destroyed our country from economic to psychological dimensions. The violent terrorist attack has ruined the country internally and externally. To some extent which has been created by our leaders themselves for their own calculated greedy incentives. The external intervention do exists and adding fuel to the fire but the gateway was totally provided by us. As Pakistan is no more, left as a nation-state. Now what needs to be done is to deal all of the irritating rats with iron hand no matter what caste, color and creed do they belong to. No intervention of any international humanitarian organization or country should be bare anymore. The speedy trials are the need of an hour. It’s the right time to use help of military courts effectively and justice should not be delayed. The clean sweep operation is the only valid solution.

Further all the existing difficulties combined with sectarianism have fragmented the country badly. Being logically optimistic all of these various challenges can be resolved effectively as they are man-made. But the bad news is that this solution cannot be implemented due to the same reason that they exist and will make it really hard to fix all the above mentioned challenges. Now this is the fruit which we are bearing of our politics. Pakistani politics is a hell dirty game. The greed of personal incentives has eaten up the whole concept of nationalism. The war is of personal egos and power. There are very few politicians who are working for the betterment of this country and are acting as a ray of hope. But the majority is fairly corrupt. The political instability has brought lot of challenges for the country and its economy. What needs to be done is to come up with real solutions. The government needs to build national consensus while making policies, bring political reforms with revival of compromise culture and maintain the good governance measures. 

 

The existing crises have torn our reputation in the world. The government needs to address all these above mentioned gaps which are widening very speedily. All the four pillars of the state have to work collectively to combat the deteriorating situation. These gaps are ultimate results of wrong policies which are being practiced in our country. Thus the ultimate consequences which are emerging are far more painful and costly.

Pakistan dying as a Nation-State

Today’s Shikarpur’s incident again brings another mourning day for Pakistan. Large number of people have lost their lives and are injured. Another committee will be formed again and the chapter this will be closed. The Great National Action Plan has shown to be another complete failure.  However, compensations would be made or healthcare might be provided to the victims. But the point is that why our government is so helpless to combat these heinous acts of terrorism. The lacking governance has become a stigma for the whole top to down structure. Pakistan is standing at the point where the hope is dying. The government is of the elites, by the elites and for the elites. The concept of Pakistan being a nation-state is dying. As state is unable to safeguard its citizens. The state seems to vulnerable and losing its power. In the name of globalization the international forces and international organizations are imposing their influence in decision-making. This has highly damaged our national interest, sovereignty and autonomy. However, the country has all the tangible elements of power to work best for the state and national interest but what it lacks is the area of intangible elements of power which include: Leadership, administrative competence, national morale and reputation. None of the parties have all these above competencies in Pakistan. Some need to have political maturity and some even after being political mature couldn’t give the country this substance by and large. Furthermore, the political issues do effect economic relations. The current political instability is ruining the country’s status quo. The government needs to re-address the great national action plan which has been highly rightly criticized by all due to its ineffective productivity and after today’s incident it has collapsed. The APC is no more the solution for the current government. They need to address the governance issue by any mean. They need to decide whether politics or country. Consensus is surely the key ingredient but let’s not forget national interest and people of Pakistan should always be first.

Obama’s Trip and changing dynamics of the Neighbors

The recent visit of President Barack Obama to India has changed the geo-political dynamics from South-Asia to Southeast Asia. The tilting Foreign Policy of United States has created threat to the whole region by and large. The dominance which was held by China majorly in the region now has a threat. As India and United States now will work together and make their strategic moves. President Obama has made a very calculated and prudent move by shaking hands with India to build pressure on China who is working on revival of Maritime Silk route and is one of the fastest growing economy. However this recent visit has given a blow to Pakistan. Who has always been with United States through thick and thin.  Though, the visit has enforced Pakistan to put their house into right order. Which is surely the need of an hour for the country. Pakistan will always remain a blue eyed boy as United States and other countries cannot ignore its geo-strategic importance in the region. But surely Pakistan needs to effectively address and revamp its foreign policy to combat the unprecedented pressures of future and to save its national interest and sovereignty. Afghanistan on the other hand saw this trip as very alarming sign as the pullout of United States military assistance from Afghanistan has left Afghans in despair due to vulnerable socio-economic status. However this trip has now acted as stimulus to bring Afghanistan more closer to India as they need their and United States assistance to restructure themselves. This ally can be a real threat to Pakistan surely. The other active ally would be Iran to gain a win -win approach and to improve its status quo and get more ease on sanctions in the region. As India has raised its crude shipment from Iran. Now after this visit Iran would have more tilt towards India in the region. Well, Pakistan now needs to see its national interests. No country can live in diplomatic isolation. There is a whole shift in the geo-politics of the region which Pakistan needs to observe and make a strong relation with their neighbors. The current scenario clearly leaves Pakistan with no option apart having cordial relations with India. Thus, sticking to past problems will not bear any fruits. Pakistan is in a vulnerable situation which is already facing immense crises. Pakistan alone cannot combat its internal and external crises. They have to work diplomatically to overcome the various challenges.

Religion being exploited by ignorants

CHARLIE HEBDO

The barbaric killing in Paris has added fuel to the fire for Islam and Muslims, throughout the world. Muslim countries are fighting against terrorism with iron hands. Moreover the West is helping them to eradicate these extremists. Different communities have come together to eradicate the misconception about the Islam. This is highly commendable. Political, geographical and economical interests do divides territories but it doesn’t affect common man’s life. Nobody has an issue from a peaceful neighbor. So to create disparity and agony throughout the world these evil sources come up front. They exploit the names of religions and kill the innocent people. Charlie hebdo was  satirical magazine. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) is dear to every Muslim and let me mention here there are lot of non-Muslims who adore and love Prophet (P.B.U.H) equally. The extremists who have killed those 12 people have given nothing good to God, Islam or their Muslim brothers and sisters’ apart embarrassment and disgrace.

Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) use to forgive people when they use to give him pain. In Islam the one who forgives is near and dear to God.

“Whoever indeed perseveres and forgives most surely that is an affair of great determination.” (Ash-Shura: 43)

“And let them forgive and forget. Do you not love that God should forgive you” (An-Nur: 22)

These are few versus from Quran for my non-Muslims brothers and sisters who perceive Islam as an extremist religion.  The concept of Jihad is way different which these barbaric groups practice. The misinterpretation of Islam is creating hardships for Muslims all over the world who are peaceful and condemn this attack. Discussion, debating and asking question is right given in every religion. Thus every non Muslim has a right to express their views and ask questions about Islam and clear their ambiguities. On the other hand due to these culprits all the Muslims should have patience to bear the upcoming hardships which will come in their way from the other side. The reaction is natural. Muslims brother and sisters should stand shoulder to shoulder with the non-Muslims and show solidarity towards intolerance. The only way to put things in order is that Muslims have to follow the moral steps projected by religion.  No religion promotes bloodshed and tyranny be that Judaism, Christianity, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.  However, on the other side non Muslims should even understand that these culprits are not even good to Muslims. They are only exploiting in the name of religion. They are backed financially and politically with various super powers and agencies. The need of an hour is tolerance, support and pro activeness. Criticizing religion without knowing, hindering religious places and practices will give nothing fruitful but further retaliation.