Sunday, September 2, 2018
Pakistan and Afghanistan need to cooperate to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State
BY SHAZAR SHAFQAT
The latest terrorist attacks in Afghanistan claimed by the Islamic State are an indication of the possible resurgence of the terrorist group there. Owing to the parliamentary elections, the Taliban might want to strike a deal with the government, leaving the dastardly work of wreaking havoc to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Afghanistan franchise.
There’s a reason they say it’s not over until it’s actually over. Many security analysts might opine that the Islamic State’s heyday is done, but even if there’s a slightest chance of them making inroads, we must be cautious. It’s not about limiting the striking abilities of a terrorist outfit; it’s about eliminating the capacity altogether. Islamic State terrorist strikes may have receded, but this is when the counter-terror officials need to zero in.
Inactivity on the part of a terrorist group should never instill complacence – something Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proved true with his recent audio message, which has, once again, brought to the fore the need to launch exhaustive counter-terror efforts against the Islamic State.
With Baghdadi’s latest message, are there ominous signs ahead?
Baghdadi might also be relishing the on-again off-again relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. If ISKP is to be eliminated from Afghanistan, then a coordinated effort among the United States, Pakistan, and Afghanistan has to be envisaged. This, unfortunately, appears a dream at this point.
If Baghdadi and his men are left unchecked in Afghanistan, it may impact Pakistan too. Hence, there’s reason for Islamabad and Kabul to agree on a mechanism that could help keep the Islamic State at bay.
What could Islamabad and Kabul possibly do?
First, both should realize the dangers posed by the Islamic State. The AF-PAK border area provides an ideal breeding ground for potential terrorists. Instead of the usual blame game, the first thing the two governments could do is to launch joint operations against the Islamic State across the border area. To get this done, confidence building is the key. With a new government in Islamabad, security apparatus has to be the top-most priority, and by engaging the security forces from Afghanistan in a joint operation across the border area, the terrorists could be gotten hold of.
In terms of carrying out a joint military exercise with a neighbor, with whom you don’t enjoy cordial relations, the decision-makers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi might want to remind themselves of the just-concluded India-Pakistan joint military drill in Russia under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). If it could happen with India, it shouldn’t be a difficult feat with Afghanistan. The enemy, after all, is the same for everyone: Terrorism.
Second, don’t let the Islamic State confuse the security apparatus. The terrorist outfit tends to attack state institutions, sectarian and religious groups, and civilian targets either simultaneously, or they break the attacks up among the mentioned targets. This is to confuse the security institutions. It’s important for the concerned departments in Kabul and Islamabad not to fall prey to this. ISKP might diversify its attacks, but the authorities must not consider one particular area as a potential target. A terrorist could launch an attack anytime and against any target. Don’t let the diversification of the targets fool you.
Third, cooperation between intelligence officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan is extremely important. It might be a long shot, but it’s surely worth it. The Islamic State is eyeing resurgence, and Afghanistan offers an ideal platform. It’s now up to Islamabad and Kabul to decide whether they’d like to cooperate to achieve the common purpose of eliminating the ISKP, or let the feeling of mutual distrust take the better of both the countries.
Without a cogent intelligence sharing mechanism, ISKP can’t be defeated.
http://thehill.com/opinion/international/404594-pakistan-and-afghanistan-need-to-cooperate-to-prevent-a-resurgence-of
Pakistan Army’s job ad specifying minorities as sanitation workers sparks outrage online
People commenting on the post condemned it and while some lashed asking for an apology, others asked will 'Naya Pakistan' under Imran Khan's government change things.
A recent job advertisement in a popular Pakistani daily has become a raging debate online. The advertisement by the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) for their recruitment programme published in a national daily is going viral but not for the right reasons. The ad specifies “non-Muslims only” for the post of sanitation workers and is being seen as a major snide towards the minorities in the country.
the designated job only the work of sanitation worker specified the preference for minorities. A photo of the ad went viral after a minority rights activist, Kapil Dev, shared the clip on Twitter.
“So, the criteria for job of a sweeper/sanitary workers in Pakistan is just you should be “NON-MUSLIM ONLY”!! Your job is to make filth only, and our is to clean only!” Dev tweeted.
The photo started a debate online with even people across the border participating in it and some questioning the authenticity of the photo. A similar version of the ad has been put up on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) website and the ad appeared under miscellaneous section of the daily.
Screengrab of the advertisement from Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) wesite.
People commenting on the post condemned it. While some lashed out at the ad and sought an apology, others asked will ‘Naya Pakistan’ under Imran Khan’s government change things.
If this is true then no words 2 describe how bad it is - goes against the principles of humanity/equality set out in Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan. Also, goes against the commitment made by PM @ImranKhanPTI @ShehryarAfridi1 @ShireenMazari1 @OfficialDGISPR @PTIofficial
This is wrong on so many levels. We cannot have this coming from our Para-military forces @AsimBajwaISPR. We are one nation. One people. Equal. No matter the race, religion or creed. Pakistan Zindabad.
یومِ دفاع و شہدا۶ 2018
ہمارۓ نشانِ حیدر ۔۔۔۔ ہمارا فخر!#ہمیں_پیار_ہے_پاکستان_سے۔۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/Ut93HPi9Zc
Want to raise this issue and bring it to your notice, Pakistan Rangers Sindh published an add clearly mentioned sanitary worker to be a Non-Muslim. Isn't this a disrespect and discrimination to all the Minorities Martyrs,Serving officials and Minorities civilians??? pic.twitter.com/hvsidZMDoF
"Minorities have equal rights under #Pakistan constitution, they are treated with respect, they are not degraded and robbed of basic human dignity every single day."
Isn't this ad. a mockery to their existence!@omar_quraishi @odysseuslahori @MurtazaViews @UmarCheema1 @MehrTarar
So, the criteria for job of a sweeper/sanitary workers in Pakistan is just you should be "NON-MUSLIM ONLY"!!
Your job is to make filth only, and our is to clean only! pic.twitter.com/NxuAILWu87
Shameful. This should be reported and stopped.
What a Shame! And we claim Islam gives right to minorities, how about Muslim of Pakistan giving rights to religious minorities? @KDSindhi
No one can justify this,but all over the world minority is given the Low level jobs especially sanitary/sweeper jobs. This is condemnable.shameful.#Minorities
This is #NayaPakistan for you guys! @ImranKhanPTI, so unless you condemn this, it would be deemed that you are okay with such discriminations based on religious grounds.#Pakistan #Sindh #DawnNews
@ShireenMazari1 @HRMinistryPak Its about time we got rid of such discrimination
So, the criteria for job of a sweeper/sanitary workers in Pakistan is just you should be "NON-MUSLIM ONLY"!!
Your job is to make filth only, and our is to clean only! pic.twitter.com/NxuAILWu87
Is this not proof enough for the patriotic Pakistanis to accept the fact that bigotry and religious hatred is promoted by all institutions of State. A shameful advertisement by the Sindh Rangers, they should apologize to the Hindu & Christian citizens.
So, the criteria for job of a sweeper/sanitary workers in Pakistan is just you should be "NON-MUSLIM ONLY"!!
Your job is to make filth only, and our is to clean only! pic.twitter.com/NxuAILWu87
This is the highest level of discrimination. Govt and parliament must take action to stop this nonsense. All citizen irrespective of the religion must have equal rights.
So, the criteria for job of a sweeper/sanitary workers in Pakistan is just you should be "NON-MUSLIM ONLY"!!
Your job is to make filth only, and our is to clean only! pic.twitter.com/NxuAILWu87
i have no idea how these people think we can respect them.