Whose War is it? (by Shahid Hussain)
Pakistan’s tribal areas which comprise seven tribal agencies including other frontier regions are infested with the local Taliban elements who have been creating continuous problems for the law enforcing agencies, federal and provincial governments including their allies, in the war against terrorism.
Growing and spreading militancy by these extremist groups in the settled regions of Pakistan is trying to radicalize the moderate elements. Without any doubt, whether there is insurgency or militancy in Swat or tribal agencies, local Taliban are largely being helped by their colleagues and across the border from Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, anyone who is carrying a gun in the NWFP, according to the culture of the land, is termed as Taliban and is also considered as enemy of the state. The fact of the matter is that no one has ever realized that there are no Taliban on Pakistan’s side of the border; rather these elements who are engaged in insurgency or either trained by their aides from Afghanistan or supported by hostile agencies of the neighboring countries intend to destabilize Pakistan at any cost.
Even media in Pakistan has this misconception about the emergence of these so-called local Taliban and has been projecting every minor detail in negative sense, thus causing and damaging soft image of the country inside and abroad. The actual breeds of Taliban who are now considered part of Al Qaida, took part in liberation of Afghanistan from the Soviet Union and now are engaged in battle with the NATO forces.
Traditionally, tribesmen on Pakistan’s side of the border have deep routes in Afghanistan, having century’s old blood relationship with each other and are so socially intermixed that one cannot stop them to meet their relatives across the border. Tribesmen of NWFP are very religiously motivated people and this aspect has been thoroughly exploited by the Taliban and anti-Pakistan elements for militancy and suicide attacks inside the country.
After the disintegration of the former Russia, a number of Taliban crossed the border along with their families, took refuge in most volatile tribal agencies in North and South Waziristan which are adjacent to Pak-Afghan border. About twenty years, they remained very peace loving and completely merged themselves in the local tribes until the security forces moved in tribal areas in year 2004 to find Osama Bin Laden—his allies as demanded by the US-led western allies.
In fact, Taliban which settled in the tribal belt of Pakistan originated from all across the globe which included Chechens, Sudanese, Uzbeks, Arabs and so many other related groups who, afterwards, became part of the most dangerous organization now known as Al Qaida. After nine eleven incident which is still a mystery for America which launched a comprehensive campaign to track down Osama Bin Laden and his allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
However, after the lapse of more than five years this useless American campaign has only brought blood shed in Pakistan and on the other hand Al Qaida has been operating successfully all across the globe. USA and her allies have badly failed to find Osama entourage. With so many sophisticated weapons systems, satellites and information available on ground Americans fail to track down him, but on the other hand, Pakistan continues to suffer more in this futile war than any other ally or suspected top Al Qaida commander which was handed over to Washington in the past.
Has anybody ever thought in the world as to why Americans are pushing hard on Pakistan and Afghanistan to keep on going with the ongoing so-called war on terror? Political experts may analyze, but has the US any appropriate reply to this logic question. Having no logical reply, there may be the case not to win the war against terrorism, but to fulfill some other evil designs. Let’s take the case of Afghanistan where Americans engaged themselves in war on terror and when beaten back has now intend to involve NATO forces on larger scale by giving them new justification to save Europe and make the world a safe heaven by preventing Taliban from getting control of Kabul.
Reportedly, US transport air craft are busy in transporting precious metals and minerals from Afghanistan to USA. Is this war on terrorism and militancy? On the other hand, war pundits in Pentagon are daily predicting presence of Al Qaida in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan on the basis of their so-called credible information.
Malicious propaganda has been conducted by American state and private media by writing venomous articles on this failed campaign in connection with terrorism. The fact is that none of these journalists has ever visited Pakistan and Afghanistan and just having some link in tribal areas, they keep on pursuing malicious agenda of Washington. In case of Pakistan just by merely threatening the man-in-charge Pervez Musharaff, Americans obtained all facilities which they may have not dreamt through out their country profile. Islamabad is providing all the logistic support to NATO troops operating in Afghanistan coupled with all the requisite information on the suspected militant’s hideouts and facilitating operation. In this campaign against terrorism, Pakistan is that country which suffered the most, by sacrificing so many security officials and troops, but in contrary is still a suspected character in the eyes of the USA.
After election on February18, 2008, heavy mandate granted to political parties was not only against the president but also against the so much imposed war on terrorism which has almost put the entire country in jeopardy and panic. Denouncing the US policies in the region, Pakistani politicians took the raging bull by the horns and spelled out the future policies of their country which have certainly made the Bush Administration worried. American diplomats who recently visited Pakistan were given cold shoulder by the ruling elites and it was clearly indicated that enough is enough and now every policy will be made through the parliament.
At present, Bush Administration is keener to keep its man in power—that is to say Pervez Musharaff at any cost, thus pressurizing the new elected government from all angles including greed which can be offered to keep their country engaged against the so-called war on terror. Like the new elected rulers, even, Gen Kayani has spelled out his priorities to involve all warring factions in the dialogue process to bring long lasting peace in the region.
It also seems that Americans want to carry along with war to touch the Korakoram in the deep North top so as to counter China, so they have no interests in this prolonged war.
Pakistan is at the crossroad of her history and sooner or later has to decide the true course of actions in this war against terrorism. Washington too should realize now the game is getting over for them in the region and they must wind up now as there may not be ample support available for them now. Total scenario is changing now, political forces have come to power in Pakistan and it would be difficult for Americans to cope up with the new leadership.
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