attempt to curtail the freedom of the press. By banning their media coverage can the activities of these ‘proscribed organisations’ be stopped? The activists of the FIF along with the Edhi Foundation were seen removing the people out of the debris when a factory collapsed in Lahore on November 4, a day after the decision was taken. Why did the government not stop the FIF activists from taking part in the relief activities?
This is not the first time its activists are seen providing service delivery in disasters, both natural and manmade. Be it floods, droughts, earthquakes or the IDPs crises, FIF activists are seen delivering services to people in need.
Extremist non-state actors usually capitalise on the disconnect between the state and its citizens. They make room for themselves in a political and judicial vacuum where the people develop a sense of frustration and deprivation. This provides them an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the people in distress.
Pakistan is blessed with an active civil society that has rendered great services to the suffering humanity both in natural as well as manmade disasters. There are reportedly over 56,000 civil society organisations engaged in various sectors, contributing to the development of the country. These civil society organisations cover for the government and try to connect the dots left out of the larger picture.
Why do we have space for such a huge number of civil society organisations? If the government had the capacity people would have hardly looked towards proscribed organisations for service delivery. The government has also been launching various crackdowns against NGOs.
Has that helped in any way? The term ‘NGO’ is referred to by many as something that promotes the agenda of the ‘infidels’ or outside forces. While there should be proper monitoring and audits, those doing a good job should be appreciated and rewarded.
Our decisions are always short-sighted, based on adhocism to serve short-term objectives. We need to grow up and take mature decisions keeping long-term objectives in mind. We have to build our own narrative.
To be able to deny space to non-state actors, the government needs to strengthen the state-citizen relationship via enhanced service delivery. Access to basic services like health and education, access to justice, social projection and employment opportunities must be ensured.
To be empowered a common citizen must be made part of the political process. And this can be ensured by holding free, fair and transparent local bodies elections across the country – including Fata. It gives one a sense of ownership when s/he is made part of the decision-making process. This sense of ownership makes people support the system. The younger generation should gainfully be employed. With respectable options available, one would hardly opt for unlawful means of earning.
The writer heads the FATA Research Centre (FRC) in Islamabad.
Email: khan45gmail.com