Since Swat valley witnessed the ugly face of the Fazlullah-led Talibanisation movement, a hot topic for discussion has been the theory of unseen powers working behind the game. Be it street talk or scholarly analysis, the locals give vent to the perception that some ‘secret hands’ nurtured the mayhem that plagued the paradise on earth for years.
Ironically, no one dares to expose any names of the actors responsible for the growth of what can only be called ‘barbarism’.
Many are of the opinion that the Taliban and the security forces are two sides of a coin engaged in a game in the once peaceful valley.
Militant occupation and the ensuing operations are often tarred with the ‘conspiracy theory’ brush. Some say that the entire situation is akin to a movie with the same director pulling the strings of both the hero and the villain. Many are of the opinion that the game was played to attract the attention of the international community in order to accumulate dollars, while others are sure it was an honest battle fought purely for the survival of the country.
Another thought floating in the minds of some is that the “whole drama” was played out for the establishment of a cantonment in Swat. Whatever the reality, the grim truth is that those who were directly targeted and suffered the most consequences of the wave of militancy are the innocent folk belonging to the valley. In a display of relentless sacrifice in the name of their country, they suffered death, had their properties destroyed by heavy bombardment and got displaced.
Yet, the people of Swat are hopeful, and in some cases sure, that one day both the secret hands and the objective of the game will surface, as history shows nothing can be kept under wraps for too long.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.
You have boldly articulated a concept some would call a conspiracy theory. I doubt very much that the truth will ever come out.
The irony of ‘Pakistan comes first’, a favourite saying of our last leader, on whose watch all this happened, comes immediately to mind.
I agree with you sir. For a sane individual it seems impossible that operations and taliban could be two sides of the same coin, but there are so many facts which back this assumption. I remember a well publicised news report that a truck load of ammunition was seized by the local police and men were arrested, but a day later the truck was released alongwith the ammunition. The police claimed that they had recieved orders from some unknown agencies.
In the first militay operation in Swat, the taliban were pushed back into the Peuchar Valley but suddenly the operations was halted. Taliban surrounded in the Peuchar could have been easily eliminated!
Everybody knows that Fazlullah, the head of TTP Swat used to visit the official residence of Commissioner Malakand. Many journalists are witness to a meeting held by the TTP Swat shura at the Commissioner’s office before the final operation. The entire shura could have been easily arrested!
Thousands of armed men managed to shift tons of ammunition into the valley; whether it was a deliberate double game or utter failure of intelligence, our military establishment is responsible.
innocent folk belonging to the valley Lets hope that their suffering hasnt been for nothing.
correct, it was the main issue of that time and now also, no one understand the reality of the fact.
Respected writer, i agree with you allmost all of your points which you raised in your article. Pertinently these so called defenders of islam, who inflicted loot and arson on the people of Swat are actually the cards of a great game supervised and overseen by America and its allies including India. Thus it is the duty of people of pakistan to remain watchful on those elements and dont became prey to their nefarious designs.
Ha Ha Ha….Another conspiracy theory by Mir Liyaqat … ??
Let hope that this “peace” lasts, alot of poor people suffered alot.
It seems the Swatis are confused, no one can deny that elements from within Swat’s civilian population at first welcomed the Taliban.
Handle them and expose them as they were exposed in Parachinar.
All intelligence agencies were involved and still are involved.