Fighting terrorism jointly

Pakistan OBSERVER, Tue, Sep,04, 2007.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

The recent bomb blasts in the Indian city of Hyderabad is yet another reminder that terrorism continues to be a major challenge for the regional states. Pakistan has also experienced series of terrorist acts in recent months. Thriving upon the complex situation that prevails in the region, terrorist continue to operate causing the loss of innocent lives and damaging the properties and infrastructure. There are no two opinions about this menace. Almost all regional countries do recognize the need to eliminate this menace as soon as possible. 

The approaches adopted by both India and Pakistan deserve comments. While the Indians have demonstrated a tendency to immediately put the blame on Pakistan or Pakistan based terrorists groups, the Pakistanis have demonstrated more patience and have rarely indulged in the blame game. Many times the Indian officials had to eat their own accusative words as the subsequent investigations unfolded that the culprits were their own citizens. 

Undoubtedly the quick finger pointing exercise appeared to have become part of Indian mode of handling such situations. The quick employment of blame game is primarily meant to divert attentions of the local public. This indeed is a short sighted device which does not really either pay the desired dividends or solve the problem or fully satisfies the involved public. People expect that the efforts should be directed to reach the truth and the only way one can reach the real culprit is to employ thorough investigative procedure rather than depending on diversionary tactics. 

Following the recent blasts in Hyderabad, the Indian officials once again did not hesitate to point the finger at the Pakistani based groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. This time they also accused a Bangladesh based group known as Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islamai. Pointing finger at three different groups amply indicates that the accusers really have no clue who is the real culprit. Even the ignorant Chief Minister of the state thought fit in his wisdom to accuse both Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

For the Pakistanis and the Bangladeshis the quick Indian accusation is not a new phenomenon as the past is studded with examples of such accusations only to be later proved that the real culprits were the Indian themselves. However one cannot deny the fact that such accusation tends to take heavy toll of Pakistan’s and Bangladeshi’s image. Perhaps this is the main purpose. The international community invariably accepts the version of a major country not because it is right but because they would like to be on what they consider the right side. 

The interest of the international community is more guided by their own national commercial and political interests rather than by generally accepted civilized norms and principles. Since we live in an imperfect world in which all states have to ultimately depend upon the security and enhancement of their own interests, policies are devised and geared to the protection of their national interests. The support for the principles of justice invariably takes a secondary position. 

For years, India has accused Pakistan of cross border infiltrations particularly in the Kashmir situation without highlighting the real nature of the problem. Almost all Kashmiris consider that the two parts of Kashmir belong to them and they have been denied the right to decide the fate of their state of Jammu and Kashmir. They also assert that this was the right promised to them by the United Nations (UN) but so far UN has utterly failed to allow them to exercise their right of self determination. The Indian government tactfully delayed the exercise of this right and now the argument revolves around the passage of time. The argument is that so much time has passed and much water has passed under the bridge, it is neither possible nor advisable to conduct the exercise of self determination. 

The role of international community has also been disappointing and dismal. Many members of international community, including those who claim to be the guardians of international peace and security, avoid getting themselves involved in the Kashmir imbroglio. Admittedly there are some members who encourage both India and Pakistan to resolve this dispute. Given the existing situation in Kashmir, the Pakistani leadership has come up with substantive set of new proposals but India has so far refrained from moving even an inch from its original position. Indeed the undesired indifference and the tacit support of the international community have enormously helped the hardening of the Indian position. 

Apart from the complex Kashmir dispute, the current major issue is that of terrorism. Terrorism has indeed engulfed both India and Pakistan. This is a problem that can only be effectively tackled jointly. There is lot to be said about the domestic situations of both countries. A terrorist becomes a terrorist only when he or the group realizes that all other options have been denied and this is only way to register the point. Terrorism is a weapon of the weak and desperate people. 

Instead of employing the blame game both India and Pakistan should join hands in their fight against the terrorists. Not only they should avoid the blame game but should opt for cooperative pursuits. Following the Samjuta Express tragedy, hopes were raised that the two countries would jointly pursue the investigations but it appears that the Indians have decided not to share their findings with their counterparts in Pakistan. This is not a constructive attitude and has given birth to unnecessary misgivings. 

To make things worse, the recent quick accusation against the Pakistan and Bangladesh based groups has further eroded a chunk of the little confidence that was built during the last three years. Both governments and their officials must act responsibly and avoid indulgence in the blame game. One must not forget that opposition often tends to exploit the inabilities of the incumbent government to prevent the blasts and demonstrate their abilities of political opportunism. 

A joint approach by India and Pakistan could effectively deal with the menace of terrorism and could send a clear and strong signal to the terrorists that all escape routes would be effectively plugged and there would be no hiding place available to them within their own societies as well. Simultaneously both governments should focus more on internal sources rather than putting the blame on the other country. Compared to India, Pakistan’s record in this connection has been far more impressive. It has been focusing more on domestic sources and has adopted all available means (economic, political and military) to eradicate this menace. 

A sincere joint effort can prove be extremely productive. Therefore it is imperative that India should strictly avoid the employment of the blame game and should be more forthcoming in its cooperative endeavors. Equally important is that the opposition in both countries should refrain from extracting political mileage out of tragedies caused by terrorist acts. Besides, India should avoid equating acts of terrorism inside India with developments in Kashmir. These are two different situations. Whether one acknowledges or not, it is a fact which has been internationally recognized that the Kashmiri people are deeply engaged in their freedom struggle and efforts of freedom fighters cannot be viewed as acts of terrorism.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.