The Operations and Aftermath

Rugged physical environment, scarce economic opportunities and favorable location for cross border trade and other businesses have led to smuggling, drug trafficking and arms dealing as their major economic activity. They have also been taking mileage of their strategic location from both bordering governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some of them by cutting deal with the government of Pakistan at one time and with Afghanistan at another though the decisive factor in such deals have been who is paying more.

Above all as the tribal area remained out of the jurisdiction of state law system, it was a natural sanctuary of all kinds of outlaws such as kidnappers for ransom, murders and also car-lifters. Surprisingly, despite many hazards the tribal areas have always enjoyed a legendary position and never raised a hue and cry as it did since October 2003. The alleged presence of high profile terrorists has brought the whole region into international limelight. It became a hot spot of war on terror and so very internationalized that its very status is disputed.

The prime need of the military operation has been to kill the element of terror and also subdue local tribals who have harbored those foreigners whose presence is questionable as they are blamed for being destabilizing forces against the newly established government in Afghanistan. However the surrender of the wanted tribals namely Naik Mohammad, Mohammad Sharif, NurIslam, Mulvi Abbas, and Mulvi Abdul Aziz has settled the matter for the moment. But leaving the matter here without further reconciliation and streaming reform packages would be tantamount to firefighting and nothing more than that.

Strategies of Operation

To subdue the militants and foreign radical elements military operations have been the prime option. Pakistan military with the American logistical and intelligence support carried out two major military operations in the Wana, Azam Warsak and Shin Warsak of the South Waziristan agency. However, after a huge loss of personnel, some political process has been initiated, especially with the involvement of the tribal Lusshar. The engagement of the two Tribal parliamentarians Maulana Mirajuddin and Haji Abdul Malik helped the government and tribals out of a difficult situation. The truce reached between the two aggrieved parties is on a no-win-no-loss basis. No documents have been inked; only word of mouth on both sides is the sole guarantor because this is what the tribal norm suggests which are traditionally strictly followed. They even strongly resented the government official assertion of calling the settlement as surrender on the part of the suspected tribals which reflects the independent spirit of the tribal people. Apparently, the  situation is in control but a lot more is needed to be done to close the hide outs of out laws in the future. 

Fallouts of the Operation

Disrupting the way of life of the tribal people under the pressure of war on terror there are two sets of fallouts for the government of Pakistan. One may be categorized as the worst-case scenario keeping in view the tribal culture of revenge, which forces them to avenge the honour. Having plenty of weapons thanks to the Afghan war these tribals could become a constant source of trouble for the government of Pakistan. As they displayed their anger by throwing missiles on Bannu, Kohat and also main installations of bureaucracy and police in Peshawar many more such incidents could have been speculated in the future that would have caused embarrassment for the government and devastation for the tribal people as retaliation of the armed forces would have destroyed their way of life completely. Well, that is not absolutely the objective of operation of the armed forces but to bring to book the outlaws only.

However, the best-case scenario can be built on two kinds of evidences. One the government and the international community have learnt for itself that no key terrorist leaders have been hiding in the tribal area of Pakistan. It also conveyed strong message to the tribal elements that government have enough muscle to check their unwanted acts with strong hand which ensure the safety of the border and would save the government from blame of supporting destabilizing forces from its soil. That will help improve relations with Afghan government and also strengthen Pakistan’s credibility internationally for fulfilling its duty as a partner of the coalition against terror. Last, but not the least, the Wana operation has underscored more stringently the need to introduce reform and developmental projects for the well-being of the people much more than earlier.  As that is the only way to avoid such incidence in the future.