Is Pakistan Playing a Double Game?
By U. Haider
It seems as if for western analysts, history of the region of Afghanistan, Pakistan starts from 9/11. They blame Pakistan for the creation of Taliban. They seem to forget that they are also one of the creators of this monster. When soviets invaded Afghanistan in early 80s, western powers created, swelled and supported the idea of Jihad against the invading infidels in world's Muslim community for the next decade. Infact, misinterpreted the Islamic terminology Jihad to put a tough resistance against Russians. They created, trained and provided arms and ammunition to mujahedeen with the help of a military dictator, whose rule was prolonged and protected by them against the wishes of the people of Pakistan. And after soviet's withdrawal from Afghanistan they left the war Torne region just with armed jihadi militias, doctrine of strict Islamic law and hatred against the infidels. Pakistan already with instable economy was bearing the burden of 4 million Afghanis left to rot by the westerners. For next decade Pakistan was slapped with sanctions after sanctions while Afghanistan was left to see a bloody civil war and then the Taliban regime. Hilary Clinton's famous remarks in a senate hearing "We have to cut what we sow" about this situation tell the whole story.
9/11 awoke the U.S. and the westerners from their deep slumper of triumphs against Russians. Their response was a full bloody war against one of the poorest countries in the world, the country which already saw 20 years of war. The then Pakistani leadership attempted to convince the U.S. and its allies for giving a chance to diplomacy to take its course towards any resolution but the west ignored the sane words. They went to war in Afghanistan, and now after 10 years they are exploring ways of how to get out of it with least embarrassment. USA and the west even after invading Afghanistan never tried to solve the issue through diplomatic channels, which now eventually after a decade they see as an option and most probably a better option.
Western allies should have used force where it was absolutely necessary and for the other issues they should have used discussion, negotiations. They have failed to give the Afghan people the much desired better life and a hope for bright future which Afghani people desperately needed. West has failed to use this opportunity to win hearts and minds of the Afghani people and Muslim community in general. Currently most of the Afghanistan is unstable, most of the provinces under Taliban control and no signs of stable government and government institutions. Now even the western public is antagonized by this long stretched war and public opinion is vastly against it.
For a while now USA, NATO and western governments are blaming Pakistan for playing a double game in the war against terror. They say that Pakistan is playing both sides, fighting with the western allies and on the other hand supporting the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been allied to Taliban regime in the past when western governments were ignoring the problems of Afghanistan and imposing sanctions on Pakistan. After Pakistan's alliance with western powers against Taliban and Al-Qaeda, it has suffered the most in this war. Taliban and Al-Qaeda have played havoc in Pakistan with suicide bombings. What Pakistan received in return for supporting the Western allies during the last 30 years, first as an ally against Russians in Afghanistan and then in the war against terrorism is a totally shattered very fabric of Pakistani society, economic loss of around US $ 50 billion and sacrifice of around 30000 lives of both security personnel and civilians in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan's army cleansed the swat valley and South Waziristan regions from these terrorists. It is in Pakistan's national interest to not to outstretch its Army and that is why it is dealing with these terrorists region by region. Everyday western powers are coming up with new ways to pressurize Pakistan in starting an operation in North-Waziristan. Pakistan's Army is already engaged in stabilizing the regions of Swat valley and South Waziristan and helping people in the worst floods of country's history. It cannot possibly start an operation in North-Waziristan. West wants that operation because it is in their national interest, but they are completely ignoring the fact that Pakistan does not see in its own national interest to start an operation in North-Waziristan. Pakistan is not a terrorist state nor does it support terrorism, it will take action in North Waziristan, when it sees fit.
Pakistan wants to negotiate with the Taliban to come to a solution for Afghanistan. Pakistan resides in this region, It sees India as a threat to its sovereignty, no matter how much the west tries to portray that India is not a threat, India will remain a threat to Pakistan. It is in Pakistan's national Interest to have a government in Afghanistan that is if not pro-Pakistan at least is neutral in dealing with Pakistan and India. Pakistan has learned from its previous experiences of the west, it will not be willing to put everything on the line like in the 80s and then watch west running away as soon as it achieved its goals. Pakistan is a part of this region and it will have to put its national interests before anyone else's.
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(Writer is a postgraduate student presently living in Berlin and can be accessed by e-mail: us_butt@hotmail.com)
