AS an aftermath of drone attacks in North Waziristan, a storm of protest is kicked up by our politicians and religious parties against the US.

It is assumed by the protesters that the attacks violate Pakistan’s sovereignty. What they do not know is that there is no writ of the government in North Waziristan.

The militants of different nationalities — Uzbeks, Afghans, Yemeni and Chechens, to name a few — are independent rulers there. Soon after a drone attack, the affected area is cordoned off by local militants to deny information on the number, names or nationality of those killed.

The belt is a ‘no-go’ area for the Pakistani minions of law. Neither the political agent nor the security forces dare enter the self-proclaimed militant state, much less implementing the writ of Islamabad.

So, you can safely say that drone attacks do not violate our sovereignty and instead target foreign militants occupying North Waziristan, which is locally called Islamic emirate.

It is bizarre that our politicians and religious groups resent US drone attacks against militants in North Waziristan.

S. SHAH BOKHARI
Peshawar

Incorporating Fata into KP

JAMSHED Kakakhel, newly-elected MPA from Nowshera, has said that all routes to Afghanistan would be sealed to curb smuggling of cattle, poultry and other goods.

This is a long overdue step if it can be implemented by the PTI government in the province. However, it will be difficult under present arrangements when areas along the borders are to be administered by the federal government.

To implement such a policy effectively, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has to take over control of the so-called Fata along the borders and integrate these into the province as districts.

These areas have virtually no administration since long. For over three decades, the local tribes have been put at the disposal of international terrorist groups, now inviting retribution in the form of US drone attacks.

Porous borders and uncontrolled movement across Pakistan-Afghanistan borders is the main cause of our being bracketed with Afghanistan into Af-Pak theatre of operation by the international forces.

We rightly condemn drone attacks but do not want to effectively control our own areas creating abysmal internal security situation. This step is the answer not only to curb smuggling but also to take control of our affairs, regulating movement of men and material across our borders in accordance with well-defined international norms and practices.

COL (r) NAZIR AHMED Islamabad