MOHAMMAD AFZAL KHAN (KHAN  LALA)
At the end of 20th century, many people were of the opinion that 21st century will be a century of knowledge, development, peace, love and human excellence. I was one of them, but unfortunately the first decade of 21st century brought havoc, destruction, bloodshed, hate and terror.
Terrorism is the headache and complicated problem of the whole world, particularly of our region. In our region, these three neighbouring countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan and India - are suffering the most. Though, the modern I.T and computer facilities converted the world into global village - rather into one office but the world powers have not taken strong and proper steps to do away with this havoc. Even these most suffering three countries combined had not done anything to do away with this menace but instead they are scuffling with each other

I have time and again stated that if these three countries leave the throats of each other with right earnest - peace will come not in months but in days. By doing so making a commitment to peace they will ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for their upcoming generation. However, for achieving this goal, they will have to act above their selfish and temporary interest. They must think of their people as a whole.
In the past many revolutions have taken place but every one of it had a goal. Those revolutions were aimed at dismantling the outdated structures and its simultaneous replacement by a new-one. However, the present destructions are inflicted without providing any alternative to the existing system. Those responsible for this bloodshed and destruction have never and nowhere presented any alternative to the existing system but they are randomly killing human beings - the young, the children, the elders and the women and so destroying their houses, pastures, fields and whole infrastructures.
In this regard, I will just refer to Malakand Division in Pakistan and particularly the valley of Swat where thousands of Swatis had been killed, maimed and their residences, fields, pastures and infrastructures destroyed. These destructions include hundreds of schools and even 20s of hospitals.
Swat - euphemistically referred to by historians as the cradle of peace and civilization and its residents - Swatis have never been extremists or narrow minded. Throughout their history, Swatis have been liberal and democrats. It is the area where Gandhara - a culture of peace - flourished. Swat just like other Pakhtun tribal territories, called FATA under Pakistani Constitution had provided abode to numerous non-Muslims particularly Hindus and Sikhs as majority of them opted to remain there even after the partition of Indian Sub-Continent. Despite the fact that from other parts of today's Pakistan both Hindus and Sikhs had migrated to India as a result of the said partition but very few from Swat or FATA. These Hindus and Sikhs lived peacefully and had all social relations with local Muslim population. This is just one proof of the fact that Swatis are basically democrats and liberals. It was due to this fact and the fact that Swatis had never been violent or militant that Maulana Sofi Muhammad was brought from Lower Dir district, to ignite the flames of violence.
Personally- throughout may life- I have never ever exchanged hot words with any body what to speak of some scuffle or slap. But my jeep was ambushed by Taliban, my driver and one guard were murdered, two of my guards injured, my nephew, Abdul Jabbar Khan, was hit by four bullets and I was too hit by two bullets. When we were taken to the hospital and the journalists enquired of me I told them that in case - at that very moment --- they come across me. I will do no harm to them but just enquire of them as to why they were killing us. Can they tell us our crime, had we any religious shortcoming --- or in our Pakhtunwali.
When the journalists insisted to elaborate, I said - I am raising my hands and you also raise your hands to pray for the Pakhtun nation particularly their mullahs be guided by Allah Almighty to the right path and human dignity.
When we were brought to hospital, the doctors stretched my wounds, I did not see my nephew, Abdul Jabbar Khan, I inquired about him of the doctors, they told me that he was hit by four bullets and was sent to the district headquarters hospital. At that time, army had not taken charge of the situation and no police personnel were present in the whole district. It was because that the police force was destroyed by the Taliban.
The Taliban could hit me again on the way because there was no checkpost but I went straight to the airport to see aboard my nephew Abdul Jabbar.
A helicopter was there to take him for the treatment. He and his elder brother insisted to accompany them because treatment is first. I told them that I am not staying even in the local hospital. I will go straight to my village and home because if I go out of the district even for treatment; majority of the local people will vacate their villages and homes. Thus, their economic conditions ruined.
After that Taliban had attacked my home and the home of my nephew Rtd Lt.-Col. Abdul Ghaffar Khan at midnight by rocket launchers. Our properties were damaged but Allah saved us from physical damage. After that they attacked our village just to capture it but they failed to enter there
In the meantime, provincial government handed over administration to Army, large number of army personnel including 20s of young officers sacrificed their lives but peace was restored to the area within a few months. Though situation has mainly come to normal but the army is still running the administration.
Today is not a time of small entities but larger alliances and that is why Europe, where many nations live and had history of hundreds years of wars too, but is united. Today Europe had one currency, one parliament and one government. This is a proof of the sagacity of their leadership, the leadership of Europe which joined hands to protect the future of their upcoming generations and ensure their peace and prosperity.
The people of other continents particularly Asia need to come closer to each other and avoid destructions. In case the governments do not bring their nations closer to each, the general masses, the civil society must come forward and block injustices, destructions, and bloodshed by raising a voice against it. Destructions, wars, bloodshed and violence are the results of exploitations and the people at large and the civil society should join hands to stop all sort of exploitations so that peace and prosperity is ensured for posterity.
The paper was read at the Global Counter-terrorism Forum in Madrid recently.

PUBLISHED IN DAILY FRONTIER POST AT 02-AUGUST 2012

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