Wali-ur-Rehman killed on a tip-off US State Department stated that recent US drone strike in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) that killed Wali-ur-Rehman was made on a tip off provided by an informer, arguably belonging to Hakimullah Mehsud group. This has been a severe blow to Wali-ur-Rehman’s faction of TTP, while Hakimullah Mehsud succeeded in his designs to eliminate his major opponent in TTP. According to INP, the US State Department refused to disclose the real name of informer belonging Hakimullah group, however, it confirmed that the reward of $5million will be paid to the informer. Killing of Wali-ur-Rehman in a US drone attack is said to be an outcome of split between the TTP high command. Reportedly, Wali-ur-Rehman was in favour of dialogue with the newly elected government of Pakistan. Anyhow, repercussions of drone attacks are dangerous for Pakistan as the entire nation now fears retaliation from the TTP· Some analysts are of the view that drone attack targeting Wali-ur-Rehman in FATA was aimed at sabotaging the peace negotiations with TTP and that it will result into another spell of backlash from TTP, thereby, creating difficult challenges for the newly elected government. In fact, the cracks in the TTP were obvious when various militant groups fought out to inherit about two billion rupees in cash and weaponry left behind by Baitullah Mehsud. What was a well-coordinated militia before death of Baitullah Mehsud had fragmented and dozens of splinters groups emerged. In July 2012, Ehsanullah Ehsan spokesman of the TTP had said that the Taliban considered anyone who participated in elections, even Islamist parties, as infidels and will target them. “The election process is part of a secular system; we want an Islamic system and will create hurdles to secularism,” he declared. It should be borne in mind that Afghan Taliban are fighting the occupiers, whereas the TTP fighters have challenged the writ of the state, and are opposed to democracy, constitution and rule of law. Pakistan should show no mercy to the rebels under any denomination. As regards drone attacks, in the absence of any written agreement between the US and Pakistan, one knows not about any understanding reached between the US and the previous government; but there could be an arrangement that before any strike Pakistan would be informed before hand. But the CIA did not deem it necessary to take Pakistan into confidence. The CIA did not trust Pakistan on the pretext that once the CIA had informed Pakistan about an ammunition factory in FATA and that Pakistan leaked the information and the terrorists vacated the premises. But this was a lame excuse, as there was no ammunition factory at the venue suggested by the CIA. The problem is that the CIA is neither willing to trust Pakistani military and intelligence agencies nor willing to understand that drone attacks are creating hatred against the US, and alienating and radicalizing local populations. A report published in Washington Post last month stated that civilian casualties of US Drone strikes may engender support for Al Qaeda, which is turning the unstable nation into perhaps its most important base for operations. Drone strikes are unpopular in Pakistan, and are stirring anti-Americanism. The Newsweek had carried a cover story in June 2012 under the title ‘Drones the silent killers’, in which President Barack Obama was reported to be unhappy and disturbed when innocents were killed in the drone attacks. The author, perhaps, was referring to a drone attack in Afghanistan within months after assumption of office by Barack Obama. The missile hurled by CIA’s pilot-less aircraft, instead of hitting the CIA’s intended target - a Taliban hideout - had struck the compound of a prominent tribal elder and members of pro-government peace committee. Prime Minister in-waiting Nawaz Sharif, immediately after Wali-ur-Rehman was killed in a drone attack, condemned US drone attacks in Pakistani territory, stating that the strikes were not only violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty but also against international laws and UN charter. The statement came a day after Pakistani Taliban withdrew ceasefire offer after an unmanned drone killed TTP’s second-in-command Wali-ur- Rehman in North Waziristan tribal region near Afghan border. Last month, a two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in its verdict stated: ‘The US drone strikes in the tribal areas are a blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, unlawful and a war crime. The government and security forces, under constitutional and legal obligations, shall have the right to shoot down the unmanned aircraft entering Pakistan’s airspace or attacking its territory’. The PHC also asked the government to take up the matter with the United Nations Security Council. The hope of halting terrorism appears to have been sabotaged by the US drone attacks that pose a tough challenge for the newly elected government of Nawaz Sharif. The entire leadership must stand united to get rid of drone attacks and settle the issue of war on terror as well. The US has been insisting that the drone strikes had the consent of Pakistan government, which Pakistan always denied. According to the international law experts, Washington appears to be ordering the attacks based on broad legal arguments that the US can act in self-defense to protect US and the coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, if neighboring countries are unwilling or unable to crack down on militants. However, legal scholars also say that this is per se illegal unless it is proved that the state is supporting or encouraging the militants. The newly elected government must take up the matter with the US, and if it does not listen then approach the United Nations Security Council, as there is opposition to drone attacks in many countries of the world.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:30:20 +0000