The Taliban’s (regardless of which side of the border they reside) must not be happy at the way both US and Pakistan ended their 7 months long stalemate on a positive note. The timings of the current agreement could not have been more appropriate as it precedes the all important negotiated settlement of Afghanistan problem in which both US and Pakistan are major players.
As the US troops drawdown comes close, US wants quick results from its ‘renewed Afghan transition strategy’ that gives priority to diplomacy over military activity. Reaching an agreement with Pakistan and de-escalating tensions with it was only one component of this strategy the other and more important component is bringing the Taliban’s on the negotiation table for negotiating a future settlement of Afghanistan.
Can the Taliban’s be trusted with a peace agreement? Their method of spreading ‘tyranny and fear’ by recently resorting to cold blooded murder of Pakistani soldiers was a gruesome act that was not only against the spirit of Islam but against any ethics of war. By releasing footages of these mass murders on YouTube, the Taliban gave a clear message of what opinion they carry about an army that collaborates and cooperates with the western forces that occupy their land. This was before the agreement on opening of the NATO supply routes. What happens now, only time will tell. Can the Pakistan Army negotiate with them under the current conditions? Can such people be trusted by being made part of a political process and given control over any political space in Afghanistan?
Can the Pakistan army ‘look the other way’ while its kidnapped soldiers are murdered? It is in the interest of Pakistan army to first plan and execute an operation in FATA to eliminate the threat that will continue to harm/damage national security. Gaining a position of tactical superiority against the militants is important before initiating any negotiations with them. Any peace accord signed with Taliban (a short term security objective) from a position of weakness will not hold and we will remain hostage to their military capability. Even after signing peace agreements if the Taliban’s resort to their violent methods, would Pakistan Army and US retain the choice to unilaterally act against them? In fact, they will be compelled to do so. If so, then why not initiate military operations to at least marginalise and reduce their capabilities.
We have been accusing the US of violating our sovereignty. We can only claim to be sovereign if as a state we retain the ‘supreme decision making authority both within our territory and over our citizens’. It’s not the Commander ISAF or USA or the whole world reminding us that we are ‘not doing more’. It is us who have to make this decision.
Sovereignty only exists if it is exercised. If the architects and executers of terrorist acts continue with their work without the fear of any reprisal, we are far from being sovereign. It is not the continuation of drone attacks but the continuation of our ‘failed Afghan policy’ that makes us less sovereign in the eyes of the world.
MUHAMMAD ALI EHSAN
Karachi
