Neatly tucked between the breathtaking mountains of Swat are signs of how Pakistani military is quietly moving away from the failed American model of fighting extremism and terrorism.
Having expelled terrorists from the area, the Pakistan
Army has launched an ambitious project in the scenic valley, establishing professional rehabilitation centers for young men brainwashed by terrorists to fight the State and kill their own people in the name of religion.
The project consists of 'de-radicalization centers' that provide professional counseling, help reintegrate the former fighters, and indoctrinate them in Islamic teachings and Pakistani nationalism.
After two years of experimentation, military officials felt confident enough this week to hold an international conference in Swat's largest city, Mingora, to discuss the Pakistani method of de-radicalization. Pakistani and international journalists descended on Serena Hotel in the tourist destination to participate in discussions while sparing time to play golf and tour the Swat countryside.
Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani surprised the guests when he dropped by unannounced and shared his thoughts with the media contingent gathered for the event.
IS THIS REALLY SWAT?
Two years ago, US military commanders in Afghanistan chuckled at their Pakistani counterparts. 'They're gone this time' was the common refrain in the mainstream US media as pundits used sarcasm to underline the challenge that faced the Pakistani military in this area.
They had a point. Well organized and armed terrorists had seized the region and imposed a reign of terror, killing men, violating women, and using children as bomb-carriers. Up to two million residents became refugees, posing a huge challenge to a military whose hands were full.
THE TURNAROUND
American military officials said Pakistani military could not expel the terrorists without their help. Several US officials visited Islamabad to encourage the politicians and the military to allow US forces to participate in operations to retake the region. Pakistanis declined any direct military help. One reason for this was the fact that the area was close to several strategic research facilities and military sites.
What happened is that Pakistani officers and soldiers taught their counterparts in ISAF and NATO a neat lesson in counterinsurgency. The Pakistan Army mounted brigade-size heli-borne operations at 8,000 feet, as part of the battles against the terrorists. Measured in size and scope, these were the first battles of their kind in this region and possibly in the world. [Pakistani military is already an expert in fighting battles at high altitudes in the Himalayas around Kashmir.]
Today, the leaders of the terrorists have been banished to Afghanistan where they hide and regroup under the eyes of western troops, which have failed to curb them either because of incompetence or complicity.
DE-RADICALIZATION
The Army and the Air Force were supposed to clear terrorist strongholds and make way for the local and federal governments to step in and rehabilitate the region and people.
But a decaying political system failed at that. The Army realized if it waited for too long it might lose all the gains it made against the terrorists, who came well equipped with money and weapons from NATO-controlled Afghanistan and had enough money to recruit and brainwash locals.
This is how the idea for de-radicalization centers was born. [On Friday, Pakistan Army handed over ownership of new houses to flood victims in Hyderabad, Thatta and Dadu regions of Sindh Province, in another example of the military filling in the shoes of the reclusive elected administrations].
BORN-AGAIN PAKISTANIS
For hardened fighters who were brainwashed and used for gruesome murders like beheadings, a number of centers are operating, manned by psychiatrists helping the patients deal with the violence they have been through.
Psychologists strike a delicate balance in dealing with this segment of patients. The former fighters are rehabilitated without too much guilt-inducement or exaggerated softness. They should know what they did was wrong but this realization is revealed to them in a non-intrusive, non-repulsive way. For example, when foreign journalists visited some of the rehab centers this week, a psychiatrist always attended a patient during an interview and often spoke on the patient's behalf. "There is always an escort," one of the psychiatrists told PakNationalists.com. "We don't want them to feel glorified as if what they did was something that would bring them media attention and fame."
The other type of rehab centers are designed for the 12-17 age group. Here, the boys wear a neat attire and receive personal attention. Their beds have colorful covers changed every day. They have community rooms with TV and billiard or table tennis, libraries and computer labs.
This group mostly consists of boys who were used by the terrorists as assistants, helping in making tea or cooking and cleaning. They were also used to transport messages or ammunition. They were dispensable, often used as suicide bombers.
The most important part of their rehabilitation process is indoctrination in Pakistani nationalism, where they are taught to be good Muslims and proud Pakistanis, receiving quick education into Pakistan's modern and old history and lessons about the Founding Fathers and historic figurers who worked for the good of the nation.
--
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From:
[Pak-Friends] Group Member
Visit Group: http://groups.google.com/group/Karachi-786
Subscription: http://groups.google.com/group/karachi-786/subscribe
Blog: http://rehansheik.blogspot.com
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===========================================================
All members are expected to follow these Simple Rules:
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
Be Carefull in Islamic Discussions;
Disrespect (of Ambiyaa, Sahabaa, Oliyaa, and Ulamaa) is an INSTANT BAN
Abuse of any kind (to the Group, or it's Members) shall not be tolerated
SPAM, Advertisement, and Adult messages are NOT allowed
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