In Mardan for the funeral next day, one could feel the palpable fear and insecurity prevailing in the entire area, eloquently expressed by a number of mourners who gently mobbed me. My wonderful course-mate (34th PMA Long Course), someone who it is a privilege and honour to call a close friend, Col (Retd) Iftikhar, runs both a private school and college in Mardan, giving also free education to many destitutes, accomplishing in his small way what many Madrassahs are doing. 34th PMA should be proud of Iftikhar! Poverty and unemployment being major reasons for crime in the area, the misuse of religion for political purposes is becoming a major force-multiplier for a rapid descent into anarchy. Providing education for the under-privileged is vital to getting out of this misery and crime cycle.

Pakistan has a major law and under problem, it is no comfort that it could have been worse. Professional criminals are taking advantage of the situation. Kidnappings are rampant in Mardan as is the occasional murder, hitmen not being hard to find. Operating from Takht Bai 10-12 kms away, criminal groups kidnap people for ransom and keep them 20-25 kms in Sakhakot, a safe haven for criminals and/or those escaping justice. Sakhakot boasts one-stop roadside stalls, an "Arms Bazaar" having weapons on display ranging from AK-47s to anti-aircraft machine guns, as well as grenades, landmines, explosives of all kind, etc, and at very competitive prices. One can also place orders in this "Arms R US", with fairly short delivery time, and at your doorstep anywhere in Pakistan. So much for law enforcement, primarily a subject of the Provincial Government! One can understand the frustration of the US at our ineptitude, or as they maintain, why are we choosing to be blind?

One should not expect the MMA Government to act. North of Mardan in the Swat Valley Maulana Fazlullah, a follower of Maulana Sufi Mohammad (founder of the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, TNSM) and a son-in-law of late Rasheed Ghazi, holds sway with his so-called "horse-army" comprising several hundred (even if one is skeptical about his claim of thousands) of followers. They do not hide their affiliation to Al-Qaeda. The challenge to the writ of the State is from an unholy alliance between politico-religious elements and outright criminals, the former into it for power and money, and the latter as behooves all criminals, for money and money alone.

Given the Fazlullah connection, the weapons found in Jamia Hafsa could have come from Sakhakot, a strong Al-Qaeda connection. That explains not only the presence of hardened fighters but also the tactics used. Unless this logistics chain emanating from Sakhakot is eliminated and/or disrupted, we can expect many more explosions and suicide bombers. If any government surrenders its writ to vacillation, the lawlessness will lead to utter anarchy. How long before this expertise becomes urban homegrown with mayhem similar to cities of Iraq, specially in Baghdad? Bannu was attacked on Tuesday by rockets, 15 were killed, many more were seriously injured. One success for the security forces, a major Talibaan Commander, Abdullah Mahsud, blew himself up in Zhob. What was he doing in Zhob in the residence of a JUI (F) leader, Ayub Mandokhel?

The administration's media team has been ham-handed, and that is being charitable. The extent of damage to can only be understood when even sane and mature people who should know better question even facts, where is the credibility of the government? A chance encounter with those who actually took part in the final assault on the militants in Jamia Hafsa was fascinating, and frustrating. Words cannot describe the selfless bravery of the troopers of Zarrar Battalion in "close quarter battle" (CQB), fully one-third of the attacking force of 164 becoming casualties in the face of horrific fire from rooms made into well-sited and inter-connected bunkers. One incident stands out, Captain Salman Butt and two troopers obtaining Shahadat (with 5 others injured) in one room while evacuating the women and children by shielding them with their bodies. Every woman and child was got out safely. Mixed with the pride of having done their duty, there is consternation at not being recognized by the masses for their outstanding bravery, their absolute commitment at the price of their lives. Such men seldom need no eulogies, their raw courage stands out as eloquent witness of the sacrifice they gave (and are ready to give) for their nation. Those of us who have grown old without carrying the scars of battle owe a debt of gratitude to those who do. One may well ask, where have all the flowers gone?

For once there was good news for everyone, including the President, the restoration of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to his seat. The question was not whether the Reference was right or wrong but whether the CJP (or anyone in the judiciary) could be treated in this atrocious manner, and the supremacy of judiciary thereof. While the lawyers and political activists can certainly celebrate, the President should be ecstatic he thankfully lost this battle. This was the only way to get the CJP off the streets, the Reference succeeding would have invited mass reaction in the streets. Any good commander fights for time when he is under pressure, the legal fraternity may dish out all the sweets they want, Pervez Musharraf has got the respite he badly needed. One hopes he will use this breather wisely, taking the initiative on a broad front in acting upon the mood of the people rather than abdicate that to the Supreme Court. Make no mistake, the CJP will come after him, tigers become maneaters on tasting human blood!

This country has all the portents of sliding into anarchy, this slide can only be stopped by ensuring the rule of law and eliminating aberrations like Sakhakot. The lawyers' celebrations were mostly joined by the intelligentsia (and the media), the silence in the streets was deafening, the primary concern of citizens centering on preventing explosions of the wrong kind. While dealing with the growing militancy, Pervez Musharraf must restore unfettered democracy, starting by his doffing the uniform and holding free and fair elections. Having "lost" this tactical battle, Pervez Musharraf (and the nation) could well come out better in the strategic sense by negotiating a genuine power-sharing arrangement.

As for Saeed, friend and colleague, rest in peace, soldier brave!

Ikram Sehgal is an eminent Pakistani political analyst and columnist.