Hockey hope
SUCH has been Pakistan’s downfall in hockey that when they went to the Junior World Cup, there were few expectations. Even progressing beyond the pool stage seemed a tall order. When they opened with a 3-3 draw against the Netherlands, even coach Roelant Oltmans said it was an unexpected result. Thanks to a 4-0 win over New Zealand and a crucial 1-1 draw against Belgium, they made it to the last eight where they went down 4-2 to finalists Spain. That performance drew praise from Spain’s coach and players; some more came from Australia, who beat Pakistan 7-5 in the fifth to eighth place classification match. Pakistan ended the tournament in eighth place after losing 6-3 to Argentina in the seventh place playoff. But there was a feeling that Pakistan could have done even better, especially with eight players who have senior team experience. Coach Oltmans regretted that defensive indiscipline as well as the injury-enforced loss of first-choice goalkeeper Ali Raza had cost his side. It is a fair assessment. considering Pakistan were leading Spain 1-0 halfway through their quarter-final. Against Australia, they showed some fighting spirit to score three goals after falling behind 7-2. In those fleeting moments, it seemed Pakistan’s glory days had been revived.
The eventual results might not have been good but at least there was some promise. The fact that Pakistan can mix with the world’s best is itself heartening. The fact that they were not completely bulldozed must be acknowledged. The focus should now be on bridging the gap and translating this at the senior level. Coach Oltmans admitted his players are a work in progress, that their fitness levels and playing sense need improvement. The Pakistan Hockey Federation needs to formalise a plan, ensuring action on this front — and fast, because the gulf continues to widen and may become insurmountable by the time the players reach senior levels. The time to act is now.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2023
American rebuke
AS the bodies continue to pile up in Gaza, Israel’s most steadfast supporter is beginning to change its tone, though mildly, reflecting growing unease in the Western camp over Tel Aviv’s blood-soaked rampage in the besieged Strip. President Joe Biden, who stated at a recent White House Hanukkah event that “I am a Zionist” — not for the first time — also had some advice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a reference to extremist Jewish members of the Israeli cabinet, Mr Biden advised Mr Netanyahu to change his government. He added that “they [Israel] are starting to lose” support due to bestial violence in the occupied territories, while observing that a future Palestinian state cannot be wished away by Israel. Not that these words had much impact on Tel Aviv’s warmongers. The Israeli prime minister asserted that “nothing will stop” his country until “victory” had been achieved in Gaza. Perhaps by victory, Mr Netanyahu means the annihilation of the Gazan population, or their forced exodus.
This soft US criticism may have come a little late in the day: nearly 19,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have perished at the hands of the Israeli war machine since the Hamas attack of Oct 7. But perhaps the fact that Israel has crossed all red lines is finally dawning on Washington, even though the US staunchly continues to oppose a ceasefire. The global majority has realised that a genocidal war is unfolding in Gaza, and has called for an end to Israeli atrocities. This has been reflected in the most recent non-binding UN General Assembly vote calling for a ceasefire, which was supported by 153 states. The US was the only major world power to oppose calls for a long-term truce. Incidentally, the number of states backing ceasefire calls has grown considerably since the General Assembly last voted on the issue in October. Even some of America’s Western allies have backed calls for a cessation of hostilities. People around the world, now including many governments, have come to the realisation that what is happening in Gaza is outright massacre, not self-defence on Israel’s part. Will the international community find the courage to restrain Israel and stop its extermination campaign? If Mr Biden is sincere in his concern for Palestinian deaths, perhaps he should halt arms transfers to Israel.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2023
Effective CT plan
THE state has failed to evolve an effective counterterrorism strategy to deal with the resurgent militant threat, with the result that the outgoing year has seen an alarming rise in terrorist attacks, and an unacceptable loss of life, particularly among security personnel.
Just days after at least 23 army men were martyred in Dera Ismail Khan in the highest casualty attack this year, five more security personnel fell in the line of duty on Friday in separate attacks in KP’s Tank and Khyber districts.
In the Tank attack, three policemen were martyred after militants stormed the local police headquarters. In Khyber, two FC men were martyred when terrorists struck a checkpoint. The fact that these attacks took place so soon after a major act of terrorism reflects a considerable security and intelligence lapse.
The area in focus — the southern part of KP and neighbouring districts in Balochistan and Punjab — has become a new hotbed of militancy, particularly after the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, though it should be remembered that this region was amongst the locations from where the banned TTP initially sprang. A new actor has emerged from the nebulous world of militancy in the form of Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan, believed to be a TTP front. This outfit has been involved in some of the deadliest attacks this year.
While it is true that militant groups often take on new monikers, their leadership, networks and goals remain largely the same. Therefore, CT efforts should not be distracted by names, and focus on the leaderships of these groups, their sources of funding and supplies.
The state has directed much of its wrath at the Afghan Taliban government for failing to rein in anti-Pakistan terrorists believed to be active across the Durand Line. While Kabul’s rulers certainly cannot be absolved of their duty to prevent militants from jeopardising Pakistan’s security, the responsibility for securing our territory is ours alone, and we cannot blame others for our lapses.
By all means, Kabul must be told that Afghan soil cannot be used to harbour terrorists, and diplomatic pressure should continue if the Taliban fail to deliver. But implementing an effective CT strategy is the government’s duty. It should not be forgotten that many of those involved in acts of terrorism are locals, while the socioeconomic marginalisation of the vulnerable geographic area has also fuelled radicalisation.
Therefore, a rejuvenated NAP is required to quell the violence, while longer-term efforts are needed to address the deprivation of the affected areas. Pakistan can ill afford a new full-blown militant insurgency. Unless steps are taken now to address the threat, that is exactly what stares us in the face. The caretaker set-up and the incoming government must deal with this threat resolutely.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2023