The deadly attacks of 9/11 on
two skyscrapers in New York City have changed the definition of ‘terrorism’.
Since 2001, U.S and other allied forces are behind the militancy and extremisms
all across the world. The Afghan-War and Iraq’s invasion are significant
examples under the bonnet of ‘war against terrorism’. Apparently, extremism and
militancy are rooted with global terrorist organization ‘Al-Qaeda’ and their
supporters ‘Taliban’. Afghanistan and Pakistani tribal areas are considered the
safe haven for militants. To counter the curse of terrorism; CIA and pentagon
has launched the series of un-man aircraft (drone) attacks in Pakistan’s tribal
areas and claimed the significant success in the killing of high value targets.
The first US drone attack in Pakistan was in June 2004 that killed local Taliban
commander Nek Mohammad near Wanna in South Waziristan. Reports confirmed the
operational failure of exact ‘target’ attack as -“Drones have rarely, if ever,
killed just the intended target. The result has been up to fifty civilians for
each militant. As a result, drone use violates the war-fighting principles of
distinction, necessity, proportionality and humanity.”1 Moreover, a fresh report
from a team of British (The Bureau of Investigative Journalism) and Pakistani
journalists stated that ‘one U.S. drone strike occurs every four days in
Pakistan’. The bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates U.S. drone strikes
in Pakistan have killed as many as 775 civilians, including 168 children, since
2004. There are no confirmed death tolls but several independent organizations
estimate that drones have killed more than 2,000 people since the first attack
in 2004.2 Campaigners like Clive Stafford Smith said that drones are changing
the nature of modern warfare. "If you are trying to surrender and you put your
hands up to a drone, what happens?"3The question is logical however; no one is
ready to reply him.
Pakistan is in serious threats
of internal and external affairs. Being engage on south and east borders with
Kashmir and Afghanistan and the ever worst law and orders situation in major
cities are serious challenges to address promptly. Along the all other dilemmas;
US drone attacks in Pakistani tribal areas has simply enhanced the difficulties
for government. These attacks are promoting the Anti-American sentiments due to
these illegal attacks inside the Pakistani border and causing the massive
civilian death. A noticeable public agitation is cherishing against the US
brutality of drone attacks. Many politicians are actively engage to stop US
drone attacks in Pakistan; especially Imran Khan and former DG ISI (Inter
Services Intelligence) General (R) Hameed Gul are significant among them.
We know that what it means to suffer when families are wiped off in drone
attacks. How helpless one feels when one meets a father who has lost his son – a
son who was full of energy and life just minutes ago
Being the font-line state in alliance on ‘war against terrorism’ Pakistan earned
the tag as ‘terrorist state’ and drones attack in territory. This is what
Pakistan paid for the war on terrorism and the world is failed to realize this
reality. Pakistan has paid heavy social and political price for its involvement
in the war on terrorism. Society is in disorder, the security situation is
deteriorating and thousands of people have lost their live, business and homes
in suicide bombing. Under the guise of global war on terror to rid the world
from the scourge of terrorism, Pakistan was roped in and made to fight a proxy
war against its own people.
Media – both national and international – might have their specific agenda,
politicians might have their political interests, but I am presenting my
viewpoint as an ordinary citizen and journalist of my country.
Apart from the perspective of patriotism, there is a human rights’ dimension to
Pakistan’s sacrifices in war against terror. In this decade of war, there have
been a number of casualties of armed forces of Pakistan, but even more important
than these have been the killing of innocent civilians. Prime Minister of
Pakistan, while speaking on to BBC on Dec 11, 2011, quoted 35,000 casualties.
More than 1300 innocent people have been killed as a “collateral damage” of the
drone attacks. A very important figure that shows the success rate of drones
against militants is 2.5%. This figure alone shows how innocent people have been
the target of drones most of the times.4
The political dirt is around the globe but unfortunately Pakistan has over
blessed with such a wealth. Sincerity, morality and devotion are the rare assets
in politics but Pakistani leaders have suspected mortgaged these values and
responsibilities for the sake of power. The national consensus on country’s
sovereignty demands the end of this selfishness. Whereas, the public voice from
Karachi to Khyber is to stop the illegal drone attacks and killing of innocent
people in Pakistan. US should change the policy in South Asia especially with
Pakistan and behave with a ‘friend’ like ‘friend’.