Pakistan’s military is, again, left to pick up the pieces



For years, the United States has been relentless in demanding a military operation in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA). Pakistan had two problems with responding positively to this demand. First, it was a physical impossibility for Pakistan to open too many fronts simultaneously. Far more importantly, though, if Pakistan undertook this operation at America’s behest, it would give credence to the narrative from the Tehreek-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP) that the Pakistani state and military were merely tools of the US.

At the time this US demand began, NWA posed no threat to Pakistan but threatened only the US forces in Afghanistan. Were this operation undertaken at that time, TTP support in Pakistan could multiply and, therefore, seriously reduce Pakistan’s military capabilities as well as its influence among the Afghan Taliban. That would not have been in American interests either.

Pakistan was either unable to sell this to the US or the US refused to buy it at that time.

As other TTP bases were eliminated, the NWA began to be a threat to Pakistan. Other events also played a part: Pakistan was able to convince the US to change its drone policy; the impending US drawdown in Afghanistan reduced the “perceived” threat from the US; the peaceful and successful Afghan elections, and US-Iran rapprochement.

But, when the environment turned favourable for a military operation in NWA, the political leadership balked. Had it not been for the attack on Karachi airport, the military might still have been reined in. But the attack came and, finally, politicians took the decision.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb to clear the last den of the TTP in NWA began on June 15. The ground offensive began on the night of June 26, after air and artillery bombardment of specific targets including command, control and communication centres, known locations of TTP leaders and their foreign militant supporters, and factories producing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which pose the most insidious threat in such a war.

But the army had a more important reason for the 10-day delay in the ground offensive. Military spokesmen made it clear that, once ground offensives began, all armed people in NWA would be considered hostile. This period permitted the non-combatants among the residents of NWA to join the other internally displaced personnel (IDP). More than 450,000 people vacated NWA in those 10 days, not including 150,000 or so who had already left.

Pakistan is now engaged in two distinct kinds of war. One is counter-guerrilla operations of the type being conducted in NWA. These are, as they should be, entrusted to the military. The other is counter-urban-terrorism, and it is a policing function that is even more dependent on intelligence than counter-guerrilla ops.

The government is fully aware that many “sleeper cells” have been set up in urban centres, and that these would respond to the threat posed to their last bastion. Though they are woefully inadequate and ill-equipped, urban policing agencies have been put on alert. Intelligence agencies needed no warning.

Far more could and should be done, but that needs massive funding. Regretfully, politicians think they will get re-elected by undertaking mega-projects, like the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service, rather than by winning the wars the nation is fighting.

So, instead of equipping, training, increasing and improving the country’s policing ability, funds are being diverted towards ventures that could easily have been postponed.

But there is worse. Ultimately, this is a war for “hearts and minds” to be won by good governance, not by the military. The military victory will be nullified if the IDP are not adequately looked after. That will decide the fate of the military’s campaign; and the government has, again, been caught with its trousers down. There has been no preparation to deal with the IDP.

In 2009, when the army went in to Swat and later, South Waziristan, the Pakistan People’s Party government was caught similarly unprepared. On both those occasions, the Pashtun of neighbouring areas and Peshawar lived up to their reputation of hospitality. Four-bed houses with six family members took in as many as 15 IDP.

Someone should have learnt a lesson, but that is too much to expect.

The government has set aside a woefully inadequate sum for IDP. Considering the weather – it’s a hot summer and the monsoon is approaching – not only accommodation and food, but hygiene and health facilities, water and electricity are required. And without adequate support, the suffering and casualties will be enormous.

Imran Khan’s demand for immediate allocation of 6 billion rupees (Dh225 million) – more than thrice the present allocation – is more realistic, but even that might not be enough. The prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, and provincial chief ministers have opened bank accounts to receive donations for the IDP. It is, however, doubtful that they will collect a worthwhile sum.

But the people of Pakistan have responded. On every conceivable social network, they are volunteering in their hundreds of thousands to donate in cash and kind. NGOs are receiving donations and are distributing these through the army. The army is organising IDP camps and relief work. Support units of the army have been deployed on the periphery of NWA to receive and facilitate refugees.

As always, it has been the army that is called upon to respond to cries for help. And that is a tragedy.

Brig Shaukat Qadir is a retired ­Pakistani infantry officer

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The five new places of worship

Church of South Indian Parish

St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch

St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch

St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais

Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais

 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
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'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

'Spies in Disguise'

Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane

Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Getting there

The flights

Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.

The stay

Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net 

Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama

Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com

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THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

The specs
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Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
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INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA

First Test: October 2-6, at Visakhapatnam

Second Test: October 10-14, at Maharashtra

Third Test: October 19-23, at Ranchi

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

OPENING FIXTURES

Saturday September 12

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Fulham v Arsenal

Liverpool v Leeds United

Tottenham v Everton

West Brom v Leicester

West Ham  v Newcastle

Monday  September 14

Brighton v Chelsea

Sheffield United v Wolves

To be rescheduled

Burnley v Manchester United

Manchester City v Aston Villa

Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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THE LIGHT

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The specs

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Royal Birkdale Golf Course

Location: Southport, Merseyside, England

Established: 1889

Type: Private

Total holes: 18

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia