The main problem with Pakistan has been that the war on terror has ideologically and politically divided it. The people of Pakistan believe on ideological ground that war on terror is not Pakistan's war, because of Amecican occupation of Afghanistan. Whereas , government of Pakistan calls itself American partner in war on terror but has been unable to sell this war to its people.
Now, there is group of Pakistani taliban and baloch rebels who is actually being supported by indians, isrealis and americans and they have declared a war on Pakistan. These people are using ideological, political and administrative vaccume to justify their attacks on Pakistan.
We can not win this war militarily without supporting this war with ideology and on political grounds. The political government has to sell this war to people of Pakistan, and if it fails to do it Pakistan's own survival is then in danger.
To overcome the constrains of ideology and politics, it is important that ulema declare attacks on Pakistan as illegal with widest possible consensus, and politicians get together to form a joint policy to fight this war for survival of Pakistan. On the international political front, government of Pakistan has to reformulate its foreign policy to address domestic consensus, and to involve key players such as Russian, China and key muslim countries.
Earlier Nawaz Sharif played a role in getting Afghan Taliban and Hekmatyar group to sit with Afghan government for peace in Afghanistan. Nawaz Sharif and others should also play their role to persuade Afghan taliban to stop various factions(Pakistani taliban, Balochistan liberation army) from using Afghan cause and soil for mounting attacks on Pakistan.
The government, opposition and media should also audit all military operations so that our army does not play into hands of foreign powers, and thus sabotage internal security to play another political adventure.
In this scenario , Nawaz sharif and Ulema statements that have been published today are very positive and need to be followed in a practical sense. The government should also continue its policy of fruiful military operations and involving tribal lashkars to crush the anti-Pakistan forces. In this endeavour, government should be more transparent and take all national leaders fully on-board to ensure continued political consensus.
Links:
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=57758
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=57748
