Inside Job

[third eye]

A Worrisome editorial

Inside Job

The recent attack on the Karachi naval dockyard exposes how our military has been infiltrated by extremist ideology of the Al Qaeda brand. While Zarb-e-Azb seems like a golden victory horse with unimaginable numbers of “militants” killed if one is to believe ISPR announcements, we have this fiasco, with navy officials turning on the navy itself in the name of Islam.

This would be the first attack claimed by the terror network’s new wing, whose creation was announced by chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri last week.

Operations like Zarb-e-azb will in all probability fail, because one can’t really fight fire with fire. The Taliban can survive air strikes and bombings, but they cannot survive without support from people. Sadly, there are a substantial number of people in Pakistan, from all classes and professions, who believe in the Taliban philosophy.

With the revelation that the dockyards attack was an inside job, it should be clear to us that our society, and not just parts of the military, has been Talibanised. The Taliban enforce this thinking with weapons. It’s just that not everyone picks up weapons, yet have the same theological holdings. There is no debate between our ulema and the Taliban. Those who had difference of opinion, like Ghamidi and Khalid Zaheer, had to leave the country for fear of their life. It remains to be seen what will happen to Qadri once his position at the centre of Pakistani politics weakens.

If highly trained Naval personnel can join ranks with the Taliban, then there is a bigger problem that the nation has to deal with. What made the high level Navy officers susceptible to such infiltration? Is it lack of active warfare engagement, or a lack of teaching of more secular values like nationalism? Is it just the Navy or do we have more surprises in store for us?

Initial screening for commission in Pakistan Army, Navy and the Air Force was being done by the police during 1950s. Today the same system must be in use, and with how threadbare our law enforcement agencies are, they are desperate for recruits.

The process of promotion and training is also highly politicised, and allows criminals into their ranks. We need better screening and better intelligence. The army and navy need a serious debriefing and re-education. It is already under scrutiny for its awkward role in the Azadi/Inqalabi drama, and now its seems, inefficient at its real job.

 

[dray]

That's why I think that there is a possibility of Pakistan falling in the hands of Taliban, Pakistan's military capabilities won't matter when Taliban has their sympathizers inside high ranks of military & ISI. This is the same reason why ISIS could gain in ME, nobody is willing to give them a real fight in those places.

 

[OrionHunter]

That's why I think that there is a possibility of Pakistan falling in the hands of Taliban, Pakistan's military capabilities won't matter when Taliban has their sympathizers inside high ranks of military & ISI. This is the same reason why ISIS could gain in ME, nobody is willing to give them a real fight in those places.

And the reason why the world is getting alarmed about the safety of its nuclear weapons, though at present there is a zero possibility of them falling into extremist hands. But it's the future which is worrying, because they could. If that happens, then it would be bad news.

Here's an interesting article based on the experiences of a retired Pak Army officer....

Islamization A Catch-22 For Pakistani Military
Abdul Hai Kakar

Muhammad Akram Afridi witnessed a transformation during his 28 years in the Pakistani military.

• The retired colonel can remember when British imperial forces were emulated to the point that bagpipes, ballrooms, and whiskey went hand in hand with military service. At 64, he can recall when garrison bars were wet, and when they went dry.
  
  Afridi, as a young officer in the 1970s, was surprised to see a small but significant number of his fellow servicemen openly consuming alcohol. After alcohol sales were banned, the practice moved inside private homes.
  
  Religious practices, he says, began to take a more prominent place in military life during General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq's reign as president from 1977 to 1988. "Zia's time came when all the mosques became active," he says.
  
  "Frankly people used to feel ashamed of going to the mosque [before that]. But I think, with Zia coming in, people started feeling proud about going to mosque," Afridi says.
  
  Decades later, many believe the bridges to religious principles built under General Zia ul-Haq's rule has led to the Islamization of the military. The consequence, retired officers warn, is that the government's first line of defense against the threat of militant Islam could be compromised.
  
  High-Profile Arrest
  
  The recent arrest of a high-ranking officer on charges that he consorted with a banned Islamist organization has been held up by many observers as evidence of radicalization within the military's ranks.
  
  Brigadier-General Ali Khan, who was arrested in early May 2011, is accused of having links to the banned pan-Islamist organization Hizb-ut Tahrir. The case has heightened fears over the state of security in the nuclear-armed country, whose military plays a dominant role in political and economic matters.
  
  The military, composed of a 600,000-strong army was established on a secular foundation with strong checks and balances intended to maintain discipline.
  
  Retired Brigadier General Asad Munir says these mechanisms continue to alert military intelligence to any developments that could undermine the armed forces. But he also says that these checks and balances have been weakened by the changes ushered in by military dictator General Zia ul-Haq.
  
  Zia ul-Haq's policies were intended to strengthen the Islamic character of Pakistani law and society, but in hindsight helped foster radical Islam. The vast majority of Pakistanis were observant Muslims, but Zia ul-Haq introduced numerous laws regulating public life. He encouraged Islamists from around the world to join the cause of Afghan rebels fighting against the Soviet Union, and hosted Afghan mujahedin on Pakistani soil.
  
  Efforts were also made to emphasize the Islamic character of the military, whose motto was changed to "Islamic faith, Piety and Jihad in the Path of Allah." A new bureaucracy was set up to promote religious observance within the military. New mosques were constructed on garrison grounds. The number of clerics serving with the military soared. And while officers and soldiers were discouraged from joining political parties, their adherence to conservative proselytizing Islamic organizations was tolerated.
  
  Munir, who also served in military intelligence, says that the leadership of the armed forces did attempt to roll back Zia ul-Haq's changes. The military, he says, was worried about the radicalization of subordinates equipped with lethal weapons and skilled in the ways of war. But they had no control over the proliferation of private jihadis within Pakistani society.
  
  Retired officers agree that Pakistan is today fighting against a foe it helped create to serve as an extremist proxy. Munir says that since 9/11, Pakistani military leaders have realized the dangers posed by Islamic militants on Pakistani soil and are sincere in their efforts to confront them. "They [the military leaders] now sense that it's not the 1980s or 1990s, and now the whole world is watching Pakistan," he says.
  
  "Whenever a terrorist is arrested anywhere in the world, he is linked to Pakistan. So they cannot continue this policy of [keeping the jihadis as proxies]," Munir adds. "Even if the military wanted to keep them they would be pressured so much internationally that they would have to give in and finish off these elements."
  
  Former Pakistani Brigadier General Saad Muhammad, however, is not impressed with the idea that radicalization within the military is anti-American at its core.
  
  He says that even anti-American sentiments are rooted in an extremist interpretation of Islam. Muhammad says that some Al-Qaeda leaders have been captured in the homes of Pakistani military officers or their close relatives, which illustrates the extent of radicalization within the security institutions.
  
  Muhammad says that the military cannot insulate itself from the current wave of extremism in Pakistan. "There is no magic wand to end such trends overnight," he says.

 

[Hiptullha]

That's why I think that there is a possibility of Pakistan falling in the hands of Taliban, Pakistan's military capabilities won't matter when Taliban has their sympathizers inside high ranks of military & ISI. This is the same reason why ISIS could gain in ME, nobody is willing to give them a real fight in those places.

McCarthyism all over again. The American government had many individuals who had an inclination to the Communism, yet we witnessed no such takeover by the Communists.

 

[Amaa'n]

A Worrisome editorial

Inside Job

The recent attack on the Karachi naval dockyard exposes how our military has been infiltrated by extremist ideology of the Al Qaeda brand. While Zarb-e-Azb seems like a golden victory horse with unimaginable numbers of “militants” killed if one is to believe ISPR announcements, we have this fiasco, with navy officials turning on the navy itself in the name of Islam.

This would be the first attack claimed by the terror network’s new wing, whose creation was announced by chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri last week.

Operations like Zarb-e-azb will in all probability fail, because one can’t really fight fire with fire. The Taliban can survive air strikes and bombings, but they cannot survive without support from people. Sadly, there are a substantial number of people in Pakistan, from all classes and professions, who believe in the Taliban philosophy.

With the revelation that the dockyards attack was an inside job, it should be clear to us that our society, and not just parts of the military, has been Talibanised. The Taliban enforce this thinking with weapons. It’s just that not everyone picks up weapons, yet have the same theological holdings. There is no debate between our ulema and the Taliban. Those who had difference of opinion, like Ghamidi and Khalid Zaheer, had to leave the country for fear of their life. It remains to be seen what will happen to Qadri once his position at the centre of Pakistani politics weakens.

If highly trained Naval personnel can join ranks with the Taliban, then there is a bigger problem that the nation has to deal with. What made the high level Navy officers susceptible to such infiltration? Is it lack of active warfare engagement, or a lack of teaching of more secular values like nationalism? Is it just the Navy or do we have more surprises in store for us?

Initial screening for commission in Pakistan Army, Navy and the Air Force was being done by the police during 1950s. Today the same system must be in use, and with how threadbare our law enforcement agencies are, they are desperate for recruits.

The process of promotion and training is also highly politicised, and allows criminals into their ranks. We need better screening and better intelligence. The army and navy need a serious debriefing and re-education. It is already under scrutiny for its awkward role in the Azadi/Inqalabi drama, and now its seems, inefficient at its real job.

All i have to say about this article is, a desperate attempt to sell a piece of crap, far from ground realities and poorly researched --- and it is really sad to see that this is one of the most read newspaper not only in Pakistan but abroad too --- rather than showing a positive side, always in for propoganda ---

 

[Tangent]

initially millitants were threat to pakistan and it's people...
now pakistani military is fast becoming threat to pakistan and it's people..
..

 

[VCheng]

All i have to say about this article is, a desperate attempt to sell a piece of crap, far from ground realities and poorly researched --- and it is really sad to see that this is one of the most read newspaper not only in Pakistan but abroad too --- rather than showing a positive side, always in for propoganda ---

Just what "positive side" would you like The Nation to portray in this episode rather than what it said?

 

[Munir]

I think you all are to much looking at minor issues or even side effects.Just like the fact that people tend to think that the whole world turn around them... This one is another by Indians that are ready to do what the only good at. Blaming Pakistan. Frankly, this forum is accepting that cause it brings cash. The only result is that well educated and informed members get less active. Anyway... Most of the Indians here are no way posting more then brainwashed ideas of superiority while they are importing everything and crying about everything. Nothing changed. Indian is minor issue for Pakistan. Trust me. I know that for sure.

I do not want to give more hints then the words.. "peak oil"... There is enough around that explains it. You have dozens of western scientists that gave insights. About what we are facing (fuel war due to decreasing volume oil in the next 15-30 years). And all these political activities... Whether it is Irac, KSA, Iran, Irac, Libya, Syria... It is all related to that. No matter who is in charge, they are busy with one thing.

I will take some rest again. There are more important issues then reading news which was known some 3-5 years ago.

 

[acid rain]

Afghanistan after NATO withdrawal will be the most challenging aspect. The world's militants and groups will converge there again and the preferred place they will end up in is pakistan. If one looks at the increasing audacity of the attacks one can only estimate what's in store in the very near future.

 

[third eye]

All i have to say about this article is, a desperate attempt to sell a piece of crap, far from ground realities and poorly researched --- and it is really sad to see that this is one of the most read newspaper not only in Pakistan but abroad too --- rather than showing a positive side, always in for propoganda ---

If I were a loyal Pakistani I would feel the same.

Yet I would not turn a blind eye to indicators that show everyday on where my nation is going or may end up.

I think you all are to much looking at minor issues or even side effects.Just like the fact that people tend to think that the whole world turn around them... This one is another by Indians that are ready to do what the only good at. Blaming Pakistan. Frankly, this forum is accepting that cause it brings cash. The only result is that well educated and informed members get less active. Anyway... Most of the Indians here are no way posting more then brainwashed ideas of superiority while they are importing everything and crying about everything. Nothing changed. Indian is minor issue for Pakistan. Trust me. I know that for sure.

I will take some rest again. There are more important issues then reading news which was known some 3-5 years ago.

Its a pity posters comment without reading the context.

Indians do not write editorials in leading Pak dailys - at least not yet.

@WebMaster : Refer part in red above, do Indians bring cash to this forum as claimed by this TT Analyst & is this why this forum is ' accepting ' them ?

 

[EagleEyes]

@third eye Indians hog PDF resources more than the cash they bring. Contrary to popular belief spread by PDF haters, PDF doesn't earn much.

Regarding the topic, Taliban is disintegrated and Army has full scale support of the people. There are people still who continue to support Taliban but they are extremists and have no power as long as Army/ISI keeps watching them like a hawk.

Punjab Taliban has already surrendered while the western border is going through a clean up.

 

[third eye]

@third eye Indians hog PDF resources more than the cash they bring. Contrary to popular belief spread by PDF haters, PDF doesn't earn much.

Regarding the topic, Taliban is disintegrated and Army has full scale support of the people. There are people still who continue to support Taliban but they are extremists and have no power as long as Army/ISI keeps watching them like a hawk.

Punjab Taliban has already surrendered while the western border is going through a clean up.

Appreciate your feedback

You may like to educate the TT Analyst in question.

 

[ejaz007]

One major point missed by the writer is that after such incidents there is serious internal review of the matters within that branch of the military and corrective measures are taken.

There is a serious purging going on in the military of such elements which in any case do not pose and very serious threat because these are junior to middle level personnel.

 

[chhota bheem]

one look at the heading told me ''I will find Ostriches'',how true i was

 

[Interceptor2014]

A Worrisome editorial

Inside Job

The recent attack on the Karachi naval dockyard exposes how our military has been infiltrated by extremist ideology of the Al Qaeda brand. While Zarb-e-Azb seems like a golden victory horse with unimaginable numbers of “militants” killed if one is to believe ISPR announcements, we have this fiasco, with navy officials turning on the navy itself in the name of Islam.

This would be the first attack claimed by the terror network’s new wing, whose creation was announced by chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri last week.

Operations like Zarb-e-azb will in all probability fail, because one can’t really fight fire with fire. The Taliban can survive air strikes and bombings, but they cannot survive without support from people. Sadly, there are a substantial number of people in Pakistan, from all classes and professions, who believe in the Taliban philosophy.

With the revelation that the dockyards attack was an inside job, it should be clear to us that our society, and not just parts of the military, has been Talibanised. The Taliban enforce this thinking with weapons. It’s just that not everyone picks up weapons, yet have the same theological holdings. There is no debate between our ulema and the Taliban. Those who had difference of opinion, like Ghamidi and Khalid Zaheer, had to leave the country for fear of their life. It remains to be seen what will happen to Qadri once his position at the centre of Pakistani politics weakens.

If highly trained Naval personnel can join ranks with the Taliban, then there is a bigger problem that the nation has to deal with. What made the high level Navy officers susceptible to such infiltration? Is it lack of active warfare engagement, or a lack of teaching of more secular values like nationalism? Is it just the Navy or do we have more surprises in store for us?

Initial screening for commission in Pakistan Army, Navy and the Air Force was being done by the police during 1950s. Today the same system must be in use, and with how threadbare our law enforcement agencies are, they are desperate for recruits.

The process of promotion and training is also highly politicised, and allows criminals into their ranks. We need better screening and better intelligence. The army and navy need a serious debriefing and re-education. It is already under scrutiny for its awkward role in the Azadi/Inqalabi drama, and now its seems, inefficient at its real job.

I am sure that this is the main reason why Military as well as GoP wants to sell of their industries and other sectors and wanted to concentrate more on Internal security.