Violence Returns to Pakistan Major Cities
Religious parties and the Pakistan Taliban have been vocally opposed to the re-opening. In fact on the day the routes reopened, the TTP told journalists from its perch in NWFP that it would attack trucks carrying NATO supplies. Both the TTP and a section of Pakistani political spectrum will use the issue to whip up anti- Americanism in the country more so since the US has resume the drone attacks on militant hide outs in the tribal belt.
TTP leader Fazlullah is keen on retaking Swat. He and his followers are operating from neighbouring Kunar province of Afghanistan; at the moment their cross border raids in Dir district have become a headache to the Pakistan army.
The United States still sees the Pakistan army as an ally despite several acts of its perfidy. Washington appears to believe that peace and security in Afghanistan after 2014 withdrawal of NATO forces would very much depend on Pakistan army. This is clear from a willingness on part of the US to walk the extra mile to please the GHQ in Rawalpindi. One give away to the mood is the recent statement from the US that said Pakistan is no longer wedded to its concept of strategic depth across the Durand Line.
How things will shape up on Pakistan’s domestic front are difficult to predict notwithstanding the dominant role the army enjoys in the country. All political parties are gearing up for elections. Gen Kayani is not willing to risk his army’s image by plunging headlong into national affairs. His preference is to let the politicians grapple with the economic and political ills. He is content with keeping the political leaders on the leash through the judiciary.
Pakistan is today a fertile ground for Arab Spring like situation but such a spring will not materialise because of Pakistanis general apathy to what happens in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is possible that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and other radical elements will seek to exploit the situation but because of their close links with the security establishment, which has been nurturing them directly or indirectly, the radical elements will do no more than staging controlled implosions to register their continued relevance.
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