It is apropos of the news entitled “New Khyper Pakhtunkhwa strategy to eradicate militancy”, published in Dawn, on Monday, May 21, 2012. The piece of news articulates that there is a need to move forward from 3-D (Development, Deterrence and Dialogue) carrot and stick policy towards mobilization of all institutes for countering insurgency. The KPK government has emphasized that the only use of force is not a viable solution. Input from all institutions of government machinery is required. Meaning thereby, chalking out a grand strategy for COIN (Counter Insurgency) is needed.
Sun Tzu in his profound book, ‘The Art of War’ said, “If you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.” Relating it to our case study of insurgency in FATA, it is pertinent to know our enemies, analyse them with precision and make a strategy to win over them.
David Galula’s book “Counterinsurgency warfare: Theory and Practice” provided four conditions for a successful counter insurgency plan. One, getting popular support; second, using active minority to attain maximum support of the masses; protection of population comes at third; fourth, dismantling insurgents armed strength along with building long-term relationship with masses. This long-term relation can be maintained through building infrastructure and establishing grass root level friendly ties between armed forces and public. The four conditions imply that winning hearts and minds, an idea floated by Joseph S. Nye, is pre-requisite for the conquest of an insurgency.
The 24-pages counter insurgency strategy, proposed by the Kyper Pakhtun Khwa (KPK) government has bright prospects for transforming insurgency in KPK into a peaceful and stable piece of land, provided political will and sincerity. Moreover, an all-pronged strategy for institutional mobilization would also result in a collective response to mitigate rising instability in the province.
Syed Rumman Athar,
rummanshah1996@gmail.com
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