A Lesson Not Yet Learned in Pakistan

My friends at CIVIC just released a new report with findings on the conflicts in northwest Pakistan, particularly the civilian harm occurring on a daily basis that we seldom here about back here in Washington. The group conducted over 160 interviews with war victims, most of whom have never received an apology or help for the losses they've suffered. That's caused a lot of anger on the ground and is crippling the legitimacy of the Pakistani government. With US support funneling into that country and US drone strikes increasing exponentially, this is something we should all be concerned about.

In one interview Mohammed, who lost his young daughter during Pakistani military operations last year tells CIVIC: "In the evening, artillery started raining shells on the mountains...one of the shells landed near us killing my daughter. When it hit it just blew her up into pieces. My other daughter started crying in a hysterical way after seeing her sister killed...she is unable to forget what happened."

When it comes to US drone strikes, CIVIC found that the numbers of civilian casualties cited by anonymous US officials is likely much lower than reality. What's particularly interesting is that across the border in Afghanistan, the US regularly pays compensation to civilian victims of its operations. In Pakistan, drone victims are often left to pick up the pieces on their own. Adding insult to injury, their losses aren't even acknowledged.

Overlooking this kind of harm repeats mistakes the US made in Afghanistan. You'd think the US would have learned this lesson by now.

 

Comments

[Evnutz]

01:15 PM on 10/15/2010

Great post. Dealing with that region is a tricky issue without a clear answer, but I think it's important that we remember, and acknowledge, that there is a real cost to our actions both in human life and in our standing. If we're seen as nothing more than falling bombs, is it any wonder that the region harbors our enemies and fills their ranks?

[Xcntry67]

01:09 PM on 10/15/2010

Thanks for shedding some light on this issue. Glad to finally see a piece that talks about those harmed in military operations (thumbs up for CIVIC and Don). It's the big elephant in the room no one wants to talk about. Especially with the increase of drone strikes. Perhaps if we start helping, instead of pretending the problem doesn't exist our popularity rating in Pakistan wouldn't be so low.

[betsyolsen223]

12:58 PM on 10/15/2010

I can't imagine what it's like to be caught up in war. Thank you for the article drawing attention to this important issue.

[ikiraro]

12:55 PM on 10/15/2010

Really great to read work on Pakistan and draw attention to activity there. I went to an event held by the author of the report yesterday, and the panelists noted that the mechanisms currently being used to distribute aid monies to flood victims could actually be mimicked and used to continue to compensate victims of conflict. Complicated, but good to know that there's room to help flood victims and war victims. Interesting stuff.

[JEK81685]

12:22 PM on 10/15/2010

Thanks Don for your very interesting article. I think that one of the biggest hurdles for the US (or anyone!) to provide compensation in Pakistan (like we do in Afghanistan) is defining Pakistan as part of the theater of war. Right now, I don't know anyone has officially acknowledged US military involvement in Pakistan, particularly with respect to drones, and providing compensation to war victims in a transparent way is means admitting we are responsible. This shouldn't be, however, an acceptable excuse not to make amends for the damage we do.

[MCRinBaltimore]

12:22 PM on 10/15/2010

Thank you for this post. I appreciate the important work that CIVIC is doing and
look forward to learning more about this report.