Is the Wana Operation by Pakistan Army justified? How does the common man see the foreign persons taking sanctuary in Wana — as mujahedeen or terrorists? Here are views of Pakistanis from different walks of life.

Zulfiqar Ali, Lawyer:

This is the time for all Pakistanis to unite and support the government to fight terrorism and urge the authorities to enforce law and order in tribal areas (FATA) or as we call them, the “lawless areas.” We cannot afford to have lawlessness in such a large area where these foreign terrorists are being accommodated by local tribes, walking around freely, carrying AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, attacking the Pakistan Army and killing innocent people and terrorizing the whole nation.

If we want to see Pakistan as a stable and strong country, we need to cooperate and support the government in order to fight terrorism.

N. Nabi, University Student:

Finally the great Pakistani Army is carrying out operations against people who are more loyal to the Afghan warlords and criminals than to us. Here in Pakistan, people from their area can go anywhere in Pakistan, but we can’t go to their area because it’s not safe for us. These are the areas where all criminal elements of Pakistan and other countries take refuge. It’s better to take care of them before they take care of us.

Hamood Sadiq, Teacher:

I have only one question for all the supporters of these so-called mujahedeen or militants in Wana. All these militants were also involved in the war against Northern Alliance Mujahedeen, who happened to be Muslims as well ... Now please tell us if you guys also support their killings of Muslims in Afghanistan and the killings of Muslims in Pakistan by the same militants who trained terrorists like Riaz Basra? Have we gone blind ? How many Muslims in Pakistan died in sectarian clashes? Where were these terrorists hiding after killing them and who’s training them...? Aren’t you happy to see that finally, on whatever condition, our soldiers are moving in and trying to clean up the mess?

Hassan Akhtar, Surgeon:

Does it make any difference if we support Musharraf and his American masters or the so-called terrorists? No it doesn’t. People should not forget that the Wana safe haven was created by the intelligence agencies of Pakistan and the United States to counter the Russians. Today they are the bad guys as they are not dancing to their tunes any more. Musharraf is not doing anything for Pakistan, its people or Islam... he is just saving his own skin because going against the US masters means an end like General Zia!

Hasan Ali, MBA

My family lives in NWFP, and to tell you the truth, majority of residents of NWFP are happy that finally the government of Pakistan and army have penetrated these tribal areas to get rid of the thugs and criminals who had given sanctuary to these terrorists. No wonder thousands of militant tribesmen have formed their own force especially to support government operation in Wana. The army of Pakistan is also involved in the development work in tribal areas, such as building roads, schools and health services, so I see a bright future. The army has every right to enter those houses where people brutally killed our soldiers in uniform. They are brainwashed and self-proclaimed jihadis first and then Pakistanis, and we don’t want them in our country.

Abdul Basit, Printing Press Owner

The facts are totally different as posed by our pro-American government. If there were foreigners there, why weren’t they caught, or has the army failed miserably in the unplanned operation? Don’t believe what the government says. If you are interested, go and watch yourself, and I am sure you will be astonished. People in NWFP love and care for the Pakistan Army. But after this operation there are few left who do this. The Wana operation is similar to the one executed in 1970 in Bangladesh. We don’t want another 1971, we want to progress.

Ali Mujtaba, Hotel Employee

As much as one regretted the operation in Waziristan area, I ask Bin Laden and Zawaheri who gave them divine rights? If they assume that Allah will give them victory, then I think they should fight the United States on its soil and leave the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan alone. If they win on the beaches of Virginia, they will be the new rulers. But if they lose, they will be only cleaning the deck of a boat on the river.

Khalid Rahim, Businessman

Well, I would like to comment that this operation, which is going on in Wana, is quite justified. We have no problem with anyone who lives in our country in peace. If these fanatics who called themselves Muslims are Muslims in reality, how can they fire on our soldiers? They were the ones who initiated all this. This is our country, and our army has the right to do surveillance and search operations. We cannot and will not allow any foreigner to do any kind of damage to our country. It is high time to think with rationally and not emotionally. Is Pakistan the only country left for all such kinds of people to come, stay and do whatever they want at the stake of our country’s honor, image and dignity?

Nazia Aziz, Stage Artist

I think Pakistan should have moved against these fanatics a long time ago. I always wondered about the people who caused trouble in Pakistan with car bombings, etc. Now, I know where all that came from. I don’t care if the United States is behind this, as long as we can have a clean and peaceful Pakistan... I totally support Musharraf on this Wana Operation...  

Yasir Khan Junejo, Architect  

I believe Musharraf took a brave step by entering the Wana area. The army and the Frontier Constabulary probably did not achieve their objective in its entirety. This is good. But it would be better if the government were more transparent in its actions. Our government and politics must move away from autocracy and bring in more consensus- building. I suspect that if the MMA representatives in the Parliament were taken into confidence prior to the Wana operation, everyone would have been happier.