DG ISPR’s press conference

Some answers, more questions

NO doubt Zarb-e-Azb has been an outstanding success. The terrorist threat is considerably downgraded and attacks are fewer and far between. Yet appreciated as the successes and sacrifices of the forces have been, it is the duty of the press to be the first to bring to light any loopholes or problem areas that may exist. And in the case of the DG ISPR’s press conference yesterday, two things at least stood out; the need for verification and further clarification.

Statements regarding dismantling of terrorist bases, ongoing repatriation efforts and ammunition recovered are heartening. But these have still not been independently verified. Even in the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the presence of embedded journalists — despite criticism of their use – underscored the need for some sort of independent verification. Furthermore, the press conference brings about another problem – that of what is left unsaid. If this conference was intended solely for domestic consumption, very little of what was said was new or previously unknown information. And if the purpose was providing context for international consumption, then the content needs further clarification. Prior statements regarding the military’s successes – no matter how well-founded – have not yet been able to deflect queries (from both home and abroad) regarding the Haqqani network or potential action against the Afghan Taliban in Pakistan.

They certainly haven’t deterred the “do more” mantra – it re-surfaced during John Kerry’s visit to India. The question of which phase the operation is in also needs explaining, since between Zarb e Azab and repatriation and rehabilitation efforts, the army is already stretched too thin. The need for further quantification thus becomes more pressing, especially when one considers new challenges the army must face: the upcoming census and the ISIS infiltration efforts, the latter of which had not been acknowledged in previous official statements.