Militancy, a Product of Fragile Social Fabric

Re: # 6
shankar...
you can....that is islamic infrastructure like mosque/madressa etc...breeding ground for terrorists...

Unfortunately,Pakistani elite never cared about EDUCATION in the country which could develop minds of poor people and their kids.It is a considered fact that youth of a nation is the basic driving force in the social uplift and national development. Majority of the youth became either victim or part of militancy under unavoidable circumstances existed ever since once used by the local as well as by the foreign militants for their vested interests. Their retrieval and putting them back on the right track would require a gigantic exertion. Because of unemployment and the so-called religious motivation, a majority of them became hard-core militants and still a vast number might be looking for an opportunity to fall on either side. The sad thing is Pakistani elite hand over education to the Saudis.There are over 185 religious schools just in punjab.So is there anyone among Pakistani elite who would think sincerely about education because MULLAHS either deliver sermons about hating others or talks about life after death but mullah will never tell you how to live in this WORLD.

Re: # 7 Freehussaini...That is the problem which many of our intellectuals do not tend to realise in true letter and spirit

Re: # 11 Shankar...I think you have misconception about Isalm. Apparently, your comment depicts that civilised faclities and Islam are two opposite things. In reality they are not.

Re: # 6
Shankar....
do the people there, are eager to get civilised facilities, or are they happy with islam?

Re: # 4
bilal...
and, what is the source of conservative attitude of middle class?

why am I not surprised that Mr. Riaz Haq is proposing even more beggary and thievery thru a "marshall plan" type effort? Isnt it amazing that the pakistan ruling class always believes that they should be "given more" free cash? I guess they have given handouts for so long, they no longer feel any shame at being perpetual beggars.

Development comes not from begging and threatening people. It doesnt come from donations from the gulf arabs and the saudi barbarians.

Instead, it comes from creating indigenous capacity; it comes from trade; it comes from the creation of an educational system suited to local conditions. Ohh, but I forgot, none of this is possible in pakistan because of the kashmir dispute!!

Ok, just add that to your beggary list - make believe that that while being an international beggar going from capital to capital and trying to scrounge a few dollars, you can also force changes in national boundaries - truly a mentally ill nation!

Re: # 6 Shankar: "is a Marshall plan going to develop those areas?!You cant build infrastructure, jobs, schools, hospitals etc when the Taliban are shooting at you."

This sounds like chicken and egg. But the reality is that Greg Mortenson has been executing his own little mini-Marshall Plan in northern areas by building and maintaining schools in the midst of turmoil. And the Aga Khan Foundation has a number of its own projects to build water and power facilities for the villages around Hunza.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Yes, Sir. We belong to a society which has lost its structure and its values.

Mr Haq,

{{However, if it is successfully implemented to respond to mounting pressure by the Taliban, new opportunities will open up for the nation's young population to offer them better alternatives to joining Jihadi outfits or seeking work in countries like Saudi Arabia where they are further radicalized.}}

If your military is unwilling (or unable) to guarantee law & order or the security of journalists, NGO workers etc etc in FATA, NWFP & Swat---how is a Marshall plan going to develop those areas?!You cant build infrastructure, jobs, schools, hospitals etc when the Taliban are shooting at you.

despite being highly placed,from a rich country (suadi arabia)despite being well educated ,Bin Laden chose terrorism to achieve his goals.So something is wrong with islam only and not conservative middle class

Agree to #3, why terrorism escalated in Pakistan only, its not Islam, but its the conservative attitude of Middle class as pointed out in the other article published in Chowk.

in india also social fabric is fragile,poverty is all pervasive,depravity is phenomenal but these things alone can not cuase terrorism (exclude that exported from pakistan)Maoists are in control in some parts does not mean administation has surrendered to them ,in fact till now army is not used against maoists.You are in self denial mode as key reason for terrorism is islam and not poverty,fragile social fabrique etc

It is so easy to point out all the mind boggling problems Pakistan faces today, how about suggesting some solutions which do not involve America, world community, the politicians or the bureaucracy? We need to stop looking around and start taking care of our problems ourselves. Self reliance is the first step towards liberty, towards self respect and towards pride in ourselves.

Haider: "There is an urgent need to emphasize the values of tolerance, interfaith harmony, trust, and mutual respect among the masses."

I agree. But you can not make it happen in the absence of some semblance of social justice. It is becoming increasingly clear that the new generation of Pakistanis do not want to accept life under a feudal or tribal system that denies them basic human dignity. In the absence of significant economic growth (even the phenomenal 8% growth roughly equals 2.5m jobs), not enough jobs are being created for 3 million young people ready to join the work force each year, resulting in growing availability of recruits for terror outfits who pay them fairly well by local standards. According to Rand corporation estimates, the Taliban pay about $150 a month to each fighter, much higher than the $100 a month paid by the governments in the region. This fact has been amply illustrated by recent growth of the Punjabi Taliban who have been found recruited by terrorist groups for suicide bombings and violence within and outside Pakistan.

While the efforts to create and fund reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZ) in FATA are desirable and welcome, what is really needed is an international Marshall Plan style effort toward transforming Pakistan from a feudal/tribal to an industrial society. Pakistan's President Zardari has called for such a Marshall Plan for Pakistan. Such an effort will face major hurdles from Zardari's own party and its corrupt feudal leadership. However, if it is successfully implemented to respond to mounting pressure by the Taliban, new opportunities will open up for the nation's young population to offer them better alternatives to joining Jihadi outfits or seeking work in countries like Saudi Arabia where they are further radicalized.

Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide