Military operation brings no gain: speakers
By: Iqtidar Gilani
LAHORE
- The participants of a discussion said the war or military
operation brings no gain and it only causes devastation and losses.
Nawa-i-Waqt, The Nation and Waqt TV jointly organised the discussion
participated by secretary generals of three political parties, Awami
National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (Noorani) and Jamiat Ahle
Hadith here at Hameed Nizami Hall on Friday. The topic of the
discussion was ‘Swat Operation - losses and gains’. Supporting the
military operation in Malakand division, ANP SG Ehsan Wyne stressed
upon its completion within minimum possible time.
JUP-N SG Qari Zawar Bahadur said that the operation was launched in
haste, without giving appropriate time to settle the issue with
armed men. He said that the reasons stated by the government for
launching operation already existed but the rulers should have
avoided the extreme step as it was endangering the existence of
Pakistan.
Terming the military operation as illogical and against the
interests of the country, JAH SG Ibtesam Elahi Zaheer said that the
army was fighting against own people to punish them for demanding
enforcement of Sharia.
Ehsan Wyne said that though the military operation was in progress
after 9/11, the ANP government in the NWFP intervened and signed a
deal to establish peace in Malakand division. Regretting that the
Taliban took sincere desire of the NWFP government to establish
peace as its weakness and entered Buner, he said that the armed men
continued to cut throats of innocent people, burnt schools, hanged
corpses and flogged girls in clear violation of the signed deal.
Terming the operation as the only option left, he said that the US
was ready to start bombardment in troubled areas but the timely
action on the part of Pakistan government averted this threat. He
said that the NWFP government was willing and still ready to
implement the agreement provided the Taliban abandon arms. If the
Taliban were not ready to lay down arms, the government should
continue the operation till its logical end, he stressed.
Ehsan Wyne said that the extremists were fighting against Pakistan
army with the weapons given by enemies.
“From where they (Taliban) are getting sophisticated weapons is a
big question. The people of Pakistan are peace-loving. They
(citizens) believe in democracy and not in armed struggle,” he said,
adding, the Taliban were insulting respectable citizens and
threatening them with weapons.
The Nation:May 23.2009 |
