How is Pakistan faring?

By S.P.SETH

How is Pakistan faring in terms of the terrorist situation? Not too good, considering the spate of recent terrorist attacks all over the country, including major cities like Lahore and Karachi.

The military offensive against the Taliban insurgents in the country’s tribal belt on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is said to be making progress. But there is no hard evidence that it is making any significant dent into the militant activities.

It might have dispersed them or pushed them across the border into Afghanistan. That creates its own problems for the American-led international force combating them in Afghanistan.

The US drone attacks on both sides of the border have done some damage to the Taliban in terms of killing some of their middle-rank commanders. But it is a double-edged sword because of the accompanying heavy civilian casualties. Which simply solidifies anti-American feelings both in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

At the same time, it compromises the Pakistan’s sovereign credentials, giving more ammunition to the Taliban to depict both Pakistan and Afghan governments as America’s puppets and somehow anti-Islam.

And because the terrorist violence continues unabated affecting ordinary citizens’ physical security and economic well-being, there is increasing erosion of government’s role as the guarding of law and order.

Which only strengthens the militant’s position as an alternative centre of power.

This is how the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in the first place in the midst of total chaos. And one can’t help drawing parallel with that, as the situation in both Pakistan and Afghanistan is refusing to show any real improvement.