We’re not their only contact reference
Is the centrality that Pakistan occupied in the ‘Great Endgame’ in Afghanistan on the wane? If one recalls the time when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, their single ally and aide was Pakistan. Pakistan was the one that enabled them to establish effective control over there. In the Taliban’s war with Northern Alliance, Pakistan matched the covert support given by India and Russia to the latter. After the formation of the Taliban government, it was Pakistan that helped with their international relations. It was because of us that Saudi Arabia and UAE accepted their government and it was also us that became a liaison between them and the US and the Taliban embassy in Islamabad remained active in international relationing on behalf of its government in Kabul.
Thus, there was once a time when Pakistan could be exclusively relied upon to establish any kind of contact with the Taliban. So much so that when the US and its allies became worried about an increase in Al-Qaeda’s activities, they requested Pakistan to convince the Taliban to desist in their support. According to the Musharraf government, they did do that. But as per another conflicting report, the ISI chief who took Musharraf’s message to Mullah Omar told him – as opposed to the original message – to remain steadfast in his convictions and aid Al-Qaeda in their jihad. The result then was against Pakistan’s interest and wishes. Mullah Omer refused to stop supporting Al-Qaeda and gave them permission to operate inside Afghanistan with impunity.
I will relate two anecdotes here to show that Mullah Omar, after establishing control in Afghanistan, gave Pakistan quite the cold shoulder instead of being grateful for its help. A longstanding issue that we have with Afghanistan is the dispute over borders. When the Taliban government was asked about ascertaining the border using the Durand Line as guidance, they gave the same answer that previous Afghan governments had given. Obviously, this answer was not encouraging for us. Later, when the US expressed its concerns about an increase Al-Qaeda’s sphere of activities, Pakistan sent the message to Mullah Omar that Afghanistan’s territory should not be allowed to be used for terrorist activities. At that, Nawaz Sharif was the country’s prime minister and it was 1999. I can personally testify that Nawaz Sharif’s tour of Abu Dhabi on 12th October 1999 was about these activities. On this visit, Nawaz Shari forwarded the US’ concerns to Shaykh Zayd bin Sultan Al-Nayhan and consulted with him about how to convince the Taliban to cut off their support to Al-Qaeda.
Shaykh Zayd was a seasoned leader and fully aware of the movements and ongoings in the Muslim world. He recommended that instead of directly pressuring Mullah Omar at the individual level, he should be prevailed upon by invoking the wishes of the Muslim ummah. Nawaz Sharif concurred with this suggestion and it was decided that the Saudi Arabia would be taken into confidence and a consensus would be tried to be evolved in the Muslim comity. Shaykh Zayd bin Sultan took it upon himself to meet the Saudi ruler and prepare ground for some kind of unanimous resolution. I often think that why was the ruler of Pakistan deposed the very afternoon he met the ruler of UAE to convince the Taliban to stop supporting Al-Qaeda. Even though there were many stories of disagreements between Nawaz Sharif and Musharraf in circulation, I think the decision taken in Abu Dhabi also had something to do with it.
If we analyse the situation in light of the game that Musharraf played after coming into power – the price of which the entire nation is still paying – we can see that maybe Musharraf and his American overlords did not want a peaceful end to the entire Al-Qaeda issue. Because as soon as Nawaz Sharif was gone, there was an escalation in Al-Qaeda’s activities. Then, the tragedy of 9/11 took place and the drive to establish American bases in Afghanistan began the first stage of which was militarily occupying Afghanistan.
The other recommendation of Pakistan (apart from settlement on the Durand Line) that the Taliban refused to accept was ceasing to support Al-Qaeda. Nawaz Sharif told Mullah Omar in his own capacity to stop international terrorist activities being conducted from the Afghan domain and readers will recall that a statement of Shahbaz Sharif had appeared in the media back then to the same effect which exhorted the Taliban to stop terrorists from operating from within their country. Hence, the Pakistani leadership was snubbed by the Taliban, both in the cases of the Durand Line and supporting Al-Qaeda. I have explained this context to explain that we should be ready for such rebuffs and blows in the upcoming days as well.
In my opinion, the US directly negotiation with the Taliban is a big blow for us. The US cannot be complained to because there are reasons enough for the distrust and bad blood between us and them. But Mullah Omar can have no such complaints and reason to distrust us. From helping the Taliban establish control over Afghanistan once to giving sanctuary to fleeing Taliban after the American occupation, we took every risk, even those which could endanger our national security even. We even gave an opportunity to the Afghan Taliban to regroup and rearm. If we look at the first three or four years of American occupation in Afghanistan, it is clear that they had to face no noteworthy resistance. This resistance only started when the Taliban again gained a foothold and started to reorganise themselves. We invited the wrath of a superpower to help the Taliban.
It is our extreme bad luck that some elements within the Pakistani state (whether privately or with approval of high authorities) had given asylum to OBL, an inexcusable act. One reason to do this, if ever there could be in the minds of these misguided elements, could’ve been to curry favour with the Taliban and this must’ve been done in collusion with the Taliban. And this is what became ‘the’ reason for the tension in Pak-US relations. So at a time when we are under great American pressure, the Taliban bypassing us and directly talking to the US is a big and painful blow for us.
If today the US is ready to talk to the Taliban, it is because of countless sacrifices on the part of Pakistan. At this time of crisis, it was incumbent upon the Taliban that they insist Pakistan be included in the process. But, alas, that did not happen. Pakistan has never agreed to a negotiating table without a seat for the Taliban over the past decade. But, the Taliban, at first instance, started talks with the US and subsequently established a Qatar office and got a prominent leader released from Gitmo. This could create many problems for us. This is because the released leader Mullah Muhammad Fazal is responsible for killing the Hazara community and is alleged to have also killed Iranina diplomats. Hence, this could needlessly complicate Pak-Iran ties. I am also disappointed by the fact that some Taliban leaders went for the Bonn conference as well though they were stopped from going to the conference hall by some well-wishers.
There is no doubt that Pakistan – because of its position importance and strategic location – will have an impact on the Great Endgame underway in Afghanistan. The US cannot ignore Pakistan’s centrality. Efforts will be, or rather are, afoot to normalise relations between Pakistan and US and to bring them ‘back on track’. But our policy makers should definitely take a long hard look at how the Taliban have behaved with us and come up with a new policy regarding them in light of experience.
The writer is one of Pakistan’s most widely read columnists.
This is call hypocrisy that punjabies always do against afghans and pushtoons. pakistan follow its interest by using the name of isalam, while you people malign and disgrace name of islam. you people destroyed our country by the policy you have strated sine 1979 and even before that. I dont know how do you expect a good gesture from Mullah omar, when your government provided bases to US to bombard Afghanistan and helped US in finishing the government of Taliban. We gave sacrifice against soviet union and punjabies got the benifit of that. This time Taliban have given sacrfiice and you expect to gain the fruit of this combat as well. It is so shamful for pakistani's politician that they seek their interest in sheeding the blood of innocent people of Afghans and the worse point is they use name of Islam.Allah says in Quran (And when they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe," but when they are alone with their Shayatin (devils – polytheists, hypocrites, etc.), they say: "Truly, we are with you
Zawar! By the way do you have a country or a policy for that matter? Just look back at the history and will soon find that what made Pakistan interfere. Pakistan, its economy, culture, civilisation, everything ruined at the hands of Afghans. Pakistan showed extreme hospitality to the Afghanis and this is the reward in return we are getting. Please dont be a dishonest and always keep the record straight.
Mr Asif! I dont know how much you know about the history but I just know that pakistan has 60-year history and afghanistan has 5000-year history and you can easily understand our history from the names of your misile(Abdali,Ghuri and etc).You should understand the reality and dont blame afghans and instead you should learn about the policy of your establishment. You must think that why there is no problem in Iran, china,india, tajikistan,uzbakistan and they are also our neighbours. The calamity we afghan and pakistani nation is facing is due to the dual policy of pakistan's government and unless pakistan change its policy, pakistan will be divided in few parts.
Brother Zarawar! Need not to get annoyed. It was a brotherly reply. Every area, race, civilisation has the history of same age and thats from the time the world came into being. What Pakistan is today was certainly not 60 years back but had the same history and so is what Afghanistan is today was not 200 years back the same. Intruders and migratees ultimately become the part of local civilisations. As far as the names of the missiles are concerned well those are taken as the names of the Muslim heroes and we take pride in any Muslim hero whether some Afghani, Torani, Irani or Pakistani.
[You must think that why there is no problem in Iran, china,india, tajikistan,uzbakistan]??? Give me a break. You really think there is no problem in these countries? I am sorry then you arem ill informed sir and thats reflected your knowledge abiout India whom youn are calling your neighbour. How come that? You cant change the reality and cant distort the history. So please enjoy and have a good day. Happy Morning brother
Mr.Khan's response to the observations of Mr.Naji is a crude emotional outburst,to say the least. True,instead of a sane civilian leadership dealing with Afghanistan our military leaders have made a total mess of Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship.In the process the quantum of misery produced for unlucky Pakistanis is far greater than what Afghanistan is facing.Soviet war in Afghanistan,followed by crazy Taliban rule and now American venture here,with overactive participation of Pakistan all the time,has totally stunted the normal growth of a great nation ,founded with imagination and hope by a unique leader,M.A.Jinnah.I fail to understand what 'fruits of this combat' Mr.Khan plans to withhold from Pakistanis.
Don't worry Omar is doing Kiyani and the khakjis bidding….and Pakistan insists on recognizing the Durand Line as an international border bit Pakistan has violated it the most by implanting itself inside Afghanistan what is commonly known as strategic depth.Naji is looking at things from Two-Nation Theory perspective which with time will further looses its already exhausted steam when Afghanistan become peaceful and unless Afghanistan become peaceful Pakistan can never be peaceful.The point in that Pashtuns separation from its roots is UNNATURAL.
Naji Sahib
Have you forgotten Sheikh Saadi's mantra of "awwal Afghan". Karzai was given shelter in Pakistan for years and every time he opens his mouth, he maligns Pakistan. He has allowed Indian Consulates where he shouldn't have. With his help, India & US are fanning the insurgency in Baluchistan.
It is Pakistan's mistake to accept any better from Afghans. We should insist that Karzai take back one million Afghan refugees from Pakistan, they have no reason to stay in Pakistan. Let Afghans handle their own affairs. All we have to ensure is that India or other countries do not take advantage of them for hostility towards Pakistan, no more, no less.
it is time that we should stop everything else but to concentrate on our own country , Puri dunya ka mama bannay ka dream should be stop now …
why Taliban care for Pakistan? Bcoz from the very beginning,they are working for America and they were the agents of America.But we Pakistani very innocent and immediately when the name of Islam comes we at once do not think and start fighting.But America knows the weak point of Pakistani Muslims and at once exploit them.This is a great time for us to think on this issue.America wants Pakistan to be destroyed by any elements where thier interests are involved.Sorry,we did not learn any lesson from the past history.America did not help us in 1965 war,in 1971 they also did not come for help for Pakistan though we have the various safety pacts.They started and supported and created Taliban and put Pakistan in the so-called bloody war.How the America can be sincere to Pakistan.now they are playing another game to disturb the solidarity of Pakistan.But the sakes of Dollars we are playing in their hands.Think positively how we can get rid of this cunning ans silent enemy.
The Gifts of Pakistan's Afghan Policy since 1979:
Nearly three million Afghan refugees
Religious extremism
Arms and Weapons
Drugs
Lawlessness
Taliban
Strength of the Deep state
I think giving shelter to afghans doesnt mean that we afghan should accept every command of punjabees and basically the shelter which was given to us was by pushtoons of khyber pakhtoonkhwa, whom we belive our own people.Furthermore, it was ziaulhaqs slogan that(jihad afghanistan-diffa-e pakistan) so in this sense you should be so thankful of afghans who defeated soviet union and rescued pakistan from a war which destroyed our country. However after soviet withdrawl we understood that everything was drama and it was America's game which was implemented by pakistani's establishment. Now i don't know how easily you people think that we should sign durand line treaty and close up indian consulate as if we are your's slave. We are independent people and we were in this region for more than 5000 years compare to pakistan which has just 60-year history. we love people of pakistan and want to live as brothers, not as a slave but we hate your government's policy which hurt us and are harming pakistanis national as well
Please elaborate what 5000 years of your history has produced for mankind and your own nation?
But you are right to the extent that Ziaul Haq is the gentleman who was fighting a worthless war in Afghanistan in the name of defense of Pakistan.Instead of playing the American game we could stay neutral and let the brave Afghans supported by great Americans reach a logical end..I remember being in Peshawer during these days and receiving delegations of brother pashtoons from business communities and interacting with cross-sections of population.Everyrbody was cursing Ziaul Haq for playing hell with NWFP by throwing open the province to unmanageable Afghans..During 60 years of Pakistan most of the time,Mr.Khan,you have brought no great comfort to us.I cannot imagine what you would have done to us if we were also 5000 years old.
I wish you were 5000-year old so that we could know how to deal with you people as we treated indians throughout history. The point is we were betrayed by pakistan in the name of Islam. Pakistan is like Israel which is hearting the whol region by exporting terorism to Afghanistan, India and now china as well. It is the only country which doesnt have proper relationship with its neighbours. I wish by the time pakistan learn how to live with the neighbours and will learn by developing from childhood to adulthood.
You are missing the point Zarawar " whole world know who fought the war with Soviet Union if you dont know ask USA. If Afghans have paid for it so does Pakistan and Pakistan lost its peace, development and economy and a lot of friends also". Now if there is any peace and stability inside afghanistan it is becuase of Pakistan's sacrifices dont forget this and also dont say Pakhton gave Afghanis Shelter. You want to see go to cities of Punjab you will find many Afghanis living happily inside Punjab.
Pakistan history is not 60 years it starts with Afghan history. Read it.
Besides Pakistnis know "Afghans are not trust worthies"
It is time that the pakistanis realize where they are headed. The pakistani deep state has destroyed pakistan an turned it into a anti matter nightmare for its neighbours. The deep state is willing to sacrifise millions infact hundreds of millions of pakistanis in its confrontation with India (which will kill same number of indians) which pak army cannot win despite all its bravery. For the sake of pakistanis, pull the plug on pakistani deep state and form an economic union with india (with separate statehood) . The loss of prestige as a result would be minimal and gains enormous. Haqqani and zardari have understood this and are being punished for speaking the truth in memogate.
wahts the difference between taliban and a regular paki..??? nothing..all are terrorists…so why all this noise….the sooner these terroists kill one another the safer the world is….
whats the differnce between taliban and a regular paki..?? nothing…all are same…so whats all this noise for..why dont atlease a few pakis focus on improving the economy or anything involving hard work and honesty….
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