A Contentious Study Report by LSE

The publication of a controversial report by the London School of Economics that accuses the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of having complicity with the Afghan Taliban, should be viewed vis-à-vis ongoing tussle between all the players to secure “strategic influence” in the post-exit Afghanistan.  The worldwide recognition of Pakistan’s successful counter-insurgency operations in Swat and South Waziristan, has caused a major set-back to Indian ambitions in Afghanistan.

During the London Conference-2010, it was agreed that Afghanistan needed the support of Pakistan (being immediate neighbour) in providing security in Afghanistan after the reduction in foreign troops by early 2011. Pakistan, being the most affected country due to perpetual instability and violence in Afghanistan, wants a peaceful Afghanistan best suited to serve its interest. Nevertheless, India wants a greater role in managing the country’s security affairs as and when the ISAF troops pull out.  By wishing so, India would be in a position to exert pressure on western border of Pakistan by fueling dissenting forces in Balochistan and FATA.

Pakistan is a victim of terrorism – its northern borders devastated by US-led counter-insurgency campaign, its heartlands wracked by growing wave of Talibanisation and economy sliding down.  How a nation can allow the militants to create violence and let it slip into the hands of extremists. Even a man of mean understanding can see the incongruence between ISI and Taliban because extremists are carrying out macabre attacks on civilian population every other day throughout Pakistan.

While the report praised the services of NATO & US troops deployed in Afghanistan, it did not find any space to eulogize the selfless devotion of over 3000 Pakistan troops and 35,000 to 40,000 civilians who laid their precious lives since US-led war on terror was launched in 2001.  After all, Pakistan is also fighting the same war with a nomenclature of non-NATO ally of the US. Pakistan’s economy has been in tatters due to this war commitment, even then its contributions are seen with skepticism.

The report does not reveal the names of nine Taliban field commanders that have alleged relationship between the ISI and the militants.  This clearly exposes the un-corroborated conjectures in the LSE study. Besides, the allegations of providing funding, training and sanctuary to the Taliban in Afghanistan has a conspicuous tinge of Indian rhetoric of linking ISI’s with the militants in Mumbai terror attacks-2008. Reading between the lines, it is inferred that Matt Waldman, the author of the report wants Pakistan to bust Haqqani network in North Waziristan.  In doing so, the incumbent is serving the Indian interest also.

The study has a potential of igniting mistrust between US and Pakistan that was built after lot of struggle and effort.  All this indicates that the main purpose behind was again to bring Pakistan into global limelight as a terrorist state.  Notwithstanding, these tactics and manoeuvres will weaken the common cause of fighting out terrorism at all cost – in not allowing al Qaeda to re-establish safe havens.

Ishrat Ali Khan

Short URL: http://www.daily.pk/?p=18930

on Jun 28 2010. Filed under Editorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry