Global IssuesPAKISTAN: Quiet Town in Deep Shock
The killing of Osama Bin Laden in the garrison city Abbottabad in Pakistan has sent shockwaves among its citizens.The city of 600,000 seemed grief-stricken. Most people avoid media persons, who have arrived here in droves in this most peaceful place in the violence-wracked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
'We still don’t believe the news regarding Osama’s death at the hands of the U.S. Special Forces,' says Nafeesur Rehman, an employee of the local college. 'How can it be possible that the world’s most wanted person can stay in a place located just a stone’s throw from the military academy.'
But, he says, residents are also worried that Abbottabad could go the Waziristan way because Osama’s three-year presence there could have created more militants.
'My only concern is that our lush green city may suffer after Osama’s episode,' says shopkeeper Asad Ali. 'People used to visit to have fun and entertainment. Now they are arriving here to ask us questions about militancy.'
The usual bustle in this city located 50 kilometres north of capital Islamabad is not visible at least for now. The army has barricaded the three-storey compound where Osama was reportedly killed.
A local police inspector who did not give his name is surprised by the story that started unfolding May 2. 'We know that the U.S. would now ask questions from the government about the presence of bin Laden near the military academy, and ultimately people in this serene city would be at the receiving end.
'Our people are very peaceful and educated. They are afraid of militancy and the army operations because these bring destruction and displacement.' Thousands are still living in camps due to military operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), he said.
'Our message is loud and clear - that we don’t know Osama bin Laden and we hate terrorism,' Abdul Jalal, a cloth seller in the narrow marketplace here told IPS. 'This morning, my three children weren’t willing to go to school because yesterday they had undergone immense trouble getting back to home due to searches by army on the road.'
'In the scorching sun, we were forced by the army to go on the road on foot instead of bus,' a schoolboy said. 'How can we create law and order and security problem.'
An army soldier told IPS that 'the house in which Osama was killed on late Sunday night operation is located near the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, so it is extremely sensitive, and nobody is allowed inside without proper body search. We have cordoned off the three kilometre road with barbed wires, and only schoolchildren and government employees are allowed to go outside of their homes for duties.' The barricades will be removed when the situation improves, he said.
Residents of Bilal Town area and the adjacent Hashmi Colony are now gripped by fear of military action. Abbottabad has remained peaceful within the violence-wracked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
'The army is still busy conducting search operation in the area,' says Wakil Jan, a banker who lives in Bilal Town. The army operation was in the interest of the people, he said.
People were uncertain what the army operation was about, and there was no official word from the army.
'We are staying here, and my mother is at home,' Adnan Arshad, a ninth grade student told IPS. 'I have no contact with my mother as her telephone is off.'
Working women and girl students are facing particular difficulties. 'How can we wait in long queues to undergo body search at the entrance of Bilal Colony,' said Shaheen Bibi, a schoolteacher. 'I am worried about my job and education of my students if the situation drags on. All the students and teachers in our school are anxious what is in store for them.'
© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service