According to credible sources, the government has begun considering imposing a ban on the harvesting and collection of this year’s pine nut (chilgoza) crop in North and South Waziristan due to growing concerns over the facilitation of terrorists.
Sources said that, owing to the security forces’ improved strategy, only two out of ten vehicle-borne explosive attacks carried out in North and South Waziristan recently were successful, significantly reducing casualties.
However, it is also a fact that Khawarij, with the help of local facilitators, used dense pine nut orchards, forests, and other fruit groves to prepare these explosive-laden vehicles.
Keeping this in view, the government has started deliberating various aspects of this year’s pine nut harvest in North and South Waziristan.
Although the pine nut harvest is a major source of income for the local population, it has emerged over the past several years that in the same areas where security forces provide a secure environment for locals to collect the crop, some local elements also provide safe havens to terrorists.
Furthermore, some local elements have also facilitated terrorist activities by planting explosive materials and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against security forces.
The government can no longer accept such a double standard.
This time, the local population will have to assure the government and security institutions that they will not be involved in or support the Khawarij in any way.
Every year, security forces assist local residents in safely harvesting the pine nut crop, directly benefiting the public and the local economy.
If the local population demonstrates full cooperation, responsibility, and coordination with state institutions, the harvesting process can continue safely as in previous years. Otherwise, the government and relevant authorities may be compelled to take strict decisions in light of prevailing security concerns.
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