Islamabad: An American newspaper has published a shocking report about Pakistan’s army and intelligence agency ISI. The rule there is getting a drone attack on its own citizens. Drone attacks in Pakistan started during the American ‘War on Terror’, when in 2004 US attacks, Taleban leader Nek Mohammed was killed. But now, Pakistan itself is running a drone operation within itself, in areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Waziristan. Earlier ISI, which used to call the refuge of ‘Non-State Actors’, now the residents of the same are being called terrorists.
In January 2024, a drone attack was carried out at an alleged terrorist hideout in Dera Ismail Khan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The army claimed that several high-profile terrorists were killed, but according to local sources and media reports, women and children were also among those killed.
Missile on ‘volleyball match’, who is targeting the army?
A few weeks later, the drone attack during a volleyball match in South Waziristan injured more than 20 people. Government statement came that the ‘terrorist target’ was targeted, but pictures of children, old people and common citizens playing in the field emerged as questions on social media. Is the Pakistan Army now attacking indiscriminately, so that it can get its lost credibility again?
‘Digital war’ amidst fear and pressure
The Pakistani army is now not only fighting the ground or air fight, but has also waged a ‘digital war’ on social media. Informal accounts related to ISPR are constantly posting videos in which drone attacks are being shown on alleged terrorists. Many of these videos are questions on the authenticity, but their purpose is clear- to convince people that what the army is doing is correct.
Out of fatf, but not washed the stains
After coming out of the Gray list of FATF, Pakistan claimed that it had curbed terror. But the same Pakistan is now bombing its own people in the name of terror. In 2022, FATF gave Pakistan ‘clean chit’, but many countries including India warned that only paperwork does not clear Pakistan’s intentions.
Opposition’s anger after fresh attacks
Last month, when four children died in a drone attack in North Waziristan, the opposition of Pakistan described the government’s security strategy as ‘anti -people’. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, who once agreed to the ISI agenda, is now openly criticizing the army. Parties like PML-N and PPP have demanded an inquiry into these attacks, but speaking openly against the army is still considered ‘treason’ in Pakistan.
