The statistics tell the story. One hundred and thirty people dead, 346 injured. The story of madness in Paris. This phenomenon is not new but the intensity it has achieved is quite frightening. The world needs to wake up to this reality and devise ways and means to remove this threat from different societies. Extremism has been raising its head in various parts of the world under different garbs, terrorising and killing innocent people. The Russian occupation of Afghanistan and the misconceived wars unleashed by the United States and its Nato allies have left deep scars on a large population, which is now a fertile breeding ground for extremist groups, resulting in the loss of valuable lives of people who were not even distantly connected or responsible for the perceived injustices of these groups. The Americans patronised a group of people who were called the mujahideen by the entire west when they were being used against the Russian occupation of Afghanistan. Now these very people are defined as terrorists by the Americans and their allies as they continue not only to fight the Nato and American troops in Afghanistan but also elsewhere. This does not mean that any one of these groups that indulge in barbaric activity should be condoned through negotiations that are preached by some to bring them into what they call the mainstream political process. History teaches us that wars can only be won by fighting and completely defeating the adversary, and there is no room to negotiate with groups or individuals who indulge in criminal activity. The recent incident in France is a crude wake-up call to the entire western world that they should try to come up with solutions that will win the hearts of these misled people. The first reaction of the French government was no better than the act of barbarism committed by a group of terrorists, with the French government declaring that its response would be ‘merciless’. It has now been established that out of the group of terrorists that attacked different places in Paris, three attackers have been conclusively identified as French citizens while the still-on-the-loose Belgian born Salah Abdeslam is either the mastermind or will be able to provide critical information about these attacks. The carnage committed in Paris was sure to have a backlash on other innocent people, including Pakistanis who are present in Paris in a sizeable number. In a previous incident too the actions of a few insane men created an atmosphere of insecurity for Muslims living in France ; right-wing thugs attacked mosques and at times it became difficult for veiled women to travel on the streets of Paris. This happened with the knowledge of the French government, which knew that these workers and immigrants were in no way connected with any act of terrorism but were still being victimised. While it is understandable for France to locate and bring to justice the perpetrators of this horrendous attack, yet it should also be the responsibility of the French government and its people to see that no innocent Muslim is unnecessarily dragged into this sordid affair. Another issue that needs careful consideration is the question of the invasion of Syria, where the French believe the plot was conceived. With Russia already involved in Syria, any invasion could have far-reaching and dangerous consequences. The statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office is disturbing. According to the Foreign Office, there were no footprints of IS jihadists in any part of Pakistan. This is despite several reports having suggested that there are agreements between various banned groups and the IS. It is therefore time for this country to also put in place a mechanism where if there are indeed IS elements present they are eliminated before they pose any serious threat to our security. However, a detailed study of this issue must be conducted and workable options created that will help slowly but surely eliminate all such elements from different parts of the world. Governments that were involved in any commercial activity with the IS should be held responsible, and efforts must be undertaken not only to choke the IS’ finances but to snatch back the areas that are providing revenue to them. This is not a difficult proposition; the Americans alone or with the help of a few countries can easily do these two things that will break the back of the IS and bring relief to entire nations. Iraq has been left in the lurch by the American administration after the latter’s failure to discover weapons of mass destruction from that country. The dismemberment of Libya and the strife in Yemen have all helped the IS to emerge. The Americans need to ensure that no such group can exist or flourish in these countries. The strife in Yemen also needs to be speedily resolved. Finally, it would be in the fitness of things if the Americans abandoned the strategy of Sunni states trying to contain Iran because this has resulted in the destabilisation of the Middle East. There are some who firmly believe that all the policies put in place by the Americans and their allies in the Middle East and Arab countries were so devised as to benefit the state of Israel but it must be remembered that continued strife and war in these strategically important areas will benefit no one. Email:zarnatta@hotmail.com
