Pakistan’s North and South Waziristan has been occupied by Taliban and al-Queda adherents for quite some time, and has been governed by the Shura. It has become a sight for global Muslim resistance movements including ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Previous attempts to control these areas by the Pakistan Army did not cause much change, but recent fighting and newly planned attacks are “going for broke to break the back of Taliban and al-Queda in Pakistan and reclaim the entire area.” Many of the occupants are Sunnis or Pashtruns, and previously, Pakistan soldiers of these religions would refuse to fight. However, now they are being sent to Waziristan. The Pakistan Army gave the militants in the area an opportunity to walk away from the area, go into Afghanistan, and never return. This ultimatum was turned down. They would not be able to support themselves in a new land, and would not be able to speak the language.
Waziristan has provided fighters for Afghanistan and the entire Islamic world, and if the Pakistan Army destroys the occupants of Waziristan, 85% of Afghanistan resistance will be taken out and all organized protection in the Islamic World would be impossible to continue.
The writer, Syed Saleem Shahzad, is Pakistan Bureau Chief, which may cause him to have a bias supporting the actions of the Pakistan Army. Also, this article may be trying to show that the Pakistan army is willing to do anything to take down the inhabitants of Waziristan, and may be attempting to cause intimidation.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IJ19Df01.html.
