NAP – TIME TO SLEEP ?

By SHAH JILANI

1. National Action Plan (NAP) was welcomed by every Pakistani as the much needed last nail in the coffin of terrorism. The fanfare was short lived and expectations dampened when they saw a policy of delay and derail by the Government. A resilient nation plagued by the scourge of terrorism has given sacrifice after sacrifice, undeterred in its resolve to defeat terrorism. The Armed Forces, specially the Army and Frontier Scouts; Rangers, Police, Law Enforcing and Intelligence Agencies have all contributed in eliminating this menace with laudable results. The nation knows that Army is the engine running this campaign; criminals and the not so clean sweat through their palms anticipating their fate. Pakistanis are earnestly praying that the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif outlasts the likes of Zardari who claim ownership over Pakistan and Altaf Hussain, who threatens of civil war whenever exposed. A soldier’s soldier, quiet and committed, he initiated an unprecedented process of accountability in the Army before suggesting it to others. DG ISI, Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar has seen the lot as DG Rangers and knows them a little too well for their comfort. Flocks of vultures are on the run, some have managed to take off while others hide in their lairs for an opportunity. The Nation has pinned its hopes on General Raheel to rid them once for all from these scavengers who think they have time on their side.

2. Terrorism has to be tackled in all its forms and manifestations, thus cannot be limited to an objective or two. The Prime Minister announced the National Action Plan on 24 December 2014 in the light of decisions taken in an All Parties Conference. A National Action Committee comprising members from all political parties was also constituted and Apex Committees formed at Provincial Level. NAP envisages creation of a National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), raising of Special Anti-terrorism Force, end moratorium on death penalty, elimination of armed militias, ban on hate speech, literature and sectarian violence, cutting finances to terrorists / terrorist organizations, cessation of operations by banned outfits, clamping on religious extremism, protection of minorities, regularization of madrassas, no space in media to terrorists, administrative and development reforms in FATA and Balochistan, return of IDPs, denial of communications to terrorists including internet and social media, registration of afghan refugees, reforms in criminal justice system, special military courts and clean up operation in Karachi.

3. NAP has an expansive charter encompassing broad contours of a National Policy to eradicate terrorism. Operation Zarb -e- Azb completes its first year this Ramzan. Our valiant soldiers have come a long way purging the region from the vice of terrorists. Isolating them internationally and domestically is equally important. Domestic support trails and presence have been traced as far as Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan. Why Karachi? simple, to generate funds to keep the fire burning. An investigative report revealed in September 2013 that Karachi has a staggering Black Economy worth Rs 830 Million per day. Figures like 10 Million from extortion, 50 Million from kidnapping for ransom, 2.4 Million from parking mafia, 8.25 Million from illegal stalls / kiosks and hawkers, Rs 100 Million from selling water illegally, drug and gambling dens Rs 150 Million, land mafia Rs 230 Million daily, 7 billion annually, Rs 10.48 Million from transport mafia, Rs 7.5 Million from trucks, containers and oil tankers, Rs 10.5 Million from stolen electricity, Rs 3 Million from health industry, Rs 20.5 Million from stolen cars and motorcycles, Rs 5.2 Million from street crime, Rs 3 Million from short term kidnappings and Rs 210 Million as bribes. Did I miss out anything? astounding, mind boggling? Simply stated, a perfect receipe for a complete disaster. This translates into killings for a 500 Rs mobile telephone set and death of innocent babies held for ransom; enough to make a rock cry. If I go into the gory details of donkeys and dogs being sold as meat, cooking oil from dead animals, plastic crockery from infected hospital waste, you may suffer from nausea. And then there are modern techniques like China cutting, claiming lands on behalf of people who shifted to Pakistan on independence but have been dead for 40 years now. This naturally warranted swift and exemplary punitive action from the Provincial as well as Federal Governments – who are still busy pondering on how to carry on in power. Action against these mafias would spell political trouble, for many in power are directly involved in this rotten business. After a long wait of about 2 years, Rangers in Karachi had to highlight the same issue again. A conservative estimate again suggests a sprawling Black Economy worth Rs 230 Billion. This time names, political and religious parties’ affiliations, government functionaries etc were also named with techniques used like collection of zakat, fitrana, sacrificial animals and hides, extortion, land grabbing, smuggling, tanker mafia, ghost employees, illegal banquet halls, parking lots, drug trafficking, money laundering, gambling dens, cyber crime, funding to madrassas, beggar mafias etc. This money  is  then  siphoned  to  some powerful   politicians   and  gang war criminals. The

criminals naturally do not use it for welfare projects and the Provincial Government hides behind these so called problems of Mega Cities.

4. One question keeps agitating my mind – when would we realize the damage that is being done to our country by some political leaders for preserving their own interests. When would we start asking questions, and by no means am I trying to belittle professions for earning a hard earned and legitimate livelihood, like how did a waiter turn billionaire overnight? how did a meter reader amass such a large fortune? how  did a petty contractor establish a construction empire? how did an unknown property dealer turn into Mr Rich in a couple of years? how did a wagon driver rise to a top executive position? why are our ministers involved with drug mafias? what would Mrs Recep Tayyab Erdogan think of us for stealing her necklace? How will international investors come to Pakistan when those responsible for bringing in investments are establishing businesses and buying properties abroad? why has PIA, Jacqueline Kennedy’s favourite airline hit rock bottom while those looking after PIA have established successful airlines? why is Pakistan Railways, the backbone of our logistics in tatters? When would we build a new dam, leaving politics aside, to pull Pakistan out of darkness and restart our dead industry? If we turn ambulances into public transport, do we not give a reason to people to despise us ? when would the custodians of this country stop smuggling dollars through models. The questionnaire is unending but needs to be answered immediately.

5. With the Army deliberately steering a course away from politics, concentrating on Operation Zarb –e- Azb and National Action Plan, why are some political leaders trying to involve them in controversies by means of blatant threats? Why are they uncomfortable with Democracy? If the National Action Plan warrants arrest of criminals and cutting off their financial conduits, why should it unnerve them? Their incoherent mumbo jumbo not only exposes them but also cements the perception of their involvement in this game of criminals. Those of us who rely more on foreign media than what they see may have a look at New York Times which published a special report by John F Burns, way back in January 1998 highlighting trails of corruption. Wikipedia is also full of some important revelations, segments on health and wealth are worth reading. Mail online, Michael Burleigh in his report of August 2010 reveals even more. Apparently things have gone from bad to worse creating an environment for parasites to

nibble into the vitals of Pakistan. All this at a time of Indian saber rattling; so much for the acumen of our seasoned politicians.

6. NAP is the acronym for National Action Plan and not a signal for going to sleep. Pakistan has a history of highs and lows, the time that we are passing through leaves no scope for a nap. We must act across the board and act swiftly, leaving aside all leanings and affiliations . We must also give up our soft policies giving an escape route to these crooks, hit them where it hurts, hit them hard and hit them repeatedly. And please give up your double standards – if New York Times was enough to make a mountain of the Axact mole hill, what do you expect from BBC ? a high level judicial commission in UK by her Majesty’s Government to try your known felons and for you to set them on bail again ? Have a heart this time!