Dynamics of terror
THE SURPRISE pick of Fazlullah as the Taleban chief has certainly changed power dynamics in the lawless terrain of Pakistan. The fact that the new leader of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taleban Pakistan belongs to the settled area, namely Swat, hints at a broadening of the terror base away from the restive tribal zones bordering Afghanistan. This could buoy militant outfits on the plains of Punjab and plunge the crisis-torn country into a new phase of terrorism. Given to understand that Fazlullah and his likes are dead against negotiations with the government and have been pushing their radical views, which bans schools and women empowerment, it is most likely to be the beginning of Afghanistan-like Talebanisation of the country.
As far as the Taleban are concerned, the elevation of Fazlullah is tantamount to war against the Pakistan Army and the establishment. Fazlullah, who has been on the run since the army flushed out militants from Swat and now reportedly resides in Afghanistan, has claimed responsibility for the killing of several army officers, as well the attack on Malala Yousafzai. Similarly, his new deputy, Sheikh Khalid Haqqani, is another name with links to the Haqqani network, which had been allegedly orchestrating terror attacks on both sides of the Durand Line. The most important aspect of this new Taleban power pinnacle is that they constitute people who believe neither in talks nor in moderation and reforms as far as their ideology is concerned. It is a great setback to the doves among the religio-political parties who had been marshalling the prospects of engaging the Taleban for a negotiated way out of the decade-long insurgency.
Fazlullah and his likes represent the hardline politics of Mullah Omer who do not believe in concessions and compromises. But the milliondollar question is how effectively can Fazlullah command his men inside Pakistan by reportedly sitting in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province? Similarly, his leadership skills will be up for test as to how he manages to coordinate with the Mehsuds’ and other tribes with whom the leadership mantle had always rested! Last but not the least is the conundrum that Pakistan’s establishment will face in dealing with die-hard criminals who were involved in the killing of military personnel — and many who have head money on them. To further compound the fragile relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the accusation that Kabul’s intelligence network is allegedly patronising Fazlullah. Pentagon’s decision to take out Hakimullah Mehsud through the drone has landed the entire region in a quandary, which doesn’t seem to have an end.
Fazlullah’s diehard policies will broaden the base of terror activity