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The aftermath of 9/11
Monday, September 14, 2009
Talat Masood
Almost overnight 9/11 transformed the world. It was indeed an earth shaking event that completely changed the security paradigm. It has changed the way we think, act, travel and live. If there was one country that suffered the most from the events of 9/11 it is clearly Pakistan. Thousands of people have died and many more injured in Pakistan and the saga of death and destruction continues unabated. What is most tragic and in a way grossly unfair is that the international community and United States has not realised the great harm that has visited us since.
There was not a single Pakistani among the 19 hijackers as they were all Arabs, mostly from Saudi Arabia and a few from Egypt. All the planning for this operation was done in Europe and funding came from the Middle East. When America let loose its might on Afghanistan, it is Pakistan that received the worst fallout. Leadership of Taliban and Al Qaeda along with their hundreds of followers crossed the seamless border and found sanctuary in Pakistans tribal belt. Thousands of Afghan refugees poured in, over and above the two million of them that already we were hosting. FATA that had remained neglected ever since the creation of Pakistan took a further blow during the Afghan jihad when its social, tribal and administrative structures were weakened or completely destroyed. When events of 9/11 occurred it suffered the most as it acted as a buffer and cushioned the shock and awe of the US invasion for Afghanistan. In the process the Pakistani state that always had a weak control over FATA lost its writ in many parts paving the way for the influx of Al Qaeda and Taliban.
It is worth reminding ourselves that during this entire period of turbulence starting from the 80s until now FATA and NWFP, which were already very backward in terms of human indexes whether it is education, per capita income, health and empowerment of women suffered even more. With a fast growing population gross neglect of education has produced a generation with hardly any skills to relate to either national or global economy. The collapse and absence of the public education system with 2 per cent annual growth rate in population thus became a serious threat to the nation state. No wonder then that militancy has become the most lucrative occupation for the youth who find it as a means of livelihood and a vehicle for empowerment in these areas.
The above facts notwithstanding, Pakistan cannot absolve itself of its responsibility for where it stands today. Its robust participation as a front line state in the Afghan jihad against the Soviets without taking measures to protect its vital interests was a strategic error. Similarly, its support of the Taliban in the quest for its misguided ambition for strategic depth in Afghanistan was an unmitigated disaster. Both these foreign policy decisions cost the country heavily in terms of weakening its state structures, destroying the social fabric, undermining the economy and weakening political institutions. Meanwhile, military grew even more politically powerful giving it a key role in the affairs of the state. Moreover, Pakistans support to the Taliban strengthened reactionary and retrogressive forces in neighbouring Afghanistan and within Pakistan. This resulted in an ideological blowback causing strategic disorientation among our ruling elite. Taliban philosophy is the very antithesis of the vision of Qaid-e-Azam and opposed to the forces of progress and modernisation that are crucial to Pakistans march into the 21st century. Moreover, association with Taliban soiled our international image that already had suffered with the military takenver. Bracketing by US of Afghanistan and Pakistan in Obamas latest regional strategy could be attributed as a cumulative outcome of these flawed policies.
Pakistans relations with India also suffered due to 9/11. Whereas Pakistan became a frontline state and non-NATO ally, it was India that truly acquired the status of a strategic partner of US with the nuclear deal and cooperation in defence, technology and space. One of the major weaknesses in Pak-US relations has been the lack of confidence between the two countries at least until recently. And the anti-American sentiment has prevented Pakistan from being able to fully actualise and benefit from the relationship.
New Delhi taking advantage of Pakistans predicament after 9/11 stepped up its pressure and orchestrated a campaign that Kashmiri jihadi elements should be treated as terrorists. It also suited western countries not to differentiate between terrorism and genuine freedom struggle. Nexus between Kashmiri militants and Al Qaeda and Taliban are a source of serious concern to the international community and the problem of Kashmir remains frozen.
Initially Pakistan benefited from economic assistance offered by US, western powers and multilateral agencies. But in these eight years the cost of war has been staggering in terms of loss of life, disabling injuries, displacement of millions of people and extensive destruction of private and public property. Rough estimates indicate it is anywhere between 35 to 40 billion dollars and Pakistan has received from Washington about 11 billion dollars which includes reimbursements for the services rendered. In the process economy has been a serious casualty as foreign and local investment dropped due to security considerations. And clearly Pakistan has partially lost its sovereignty as its political and economic affairs are being micro-managed by the US. Politically, 9/11 has contributed to the polarisation of our society and made it more violent and intolerant.
The support of President Bush and of western powers to a military dictator for seven years further weakened Pakistans political institutions. Wheeling and dealing by external players to protect their interests under the cover of seeking a smooth transition from military to civilian rule did create several distortions in our political system. Nonetheless, the advent of a democratic government however fragile it may be, with the support of military has proved to be better equipped in dealing with militancy and extremism.
The writer is a retired lieutenant-general. Email: talat@comsats.net.pk
Monday, September 14, 2009
Talat Masood
Almost overnight 9/11 transformed the world. It was indeed an earth shaking event that completely changed the security paradigm. It has changed the way we think, act, travel and live. If there was one country that suffered the most from the events of 9/11 it is clearly Pakistan. Thousands of people have died and many more injured in Pakistan and the saga of death and destruction continues unabated. What is most tragic and in a way grossly unfair is that the international community and United States has not realised the great harm that has visited us since.
There was not a single Pakistani among the 19 hijackers as they were all Arabs, mostly from Saudi Arabia and a few from Egypt. All the planning for this operation was done in Europe and funding came from the Middle East. When America let loose its might on Afghanistan, it is Pakistan that received the worst fallout. Leadership of Taliban and Al Qaeda along with their hundreds of followers crossed the seamless border and found sanctuary in Pakistans tribal belt. Thousands of Afghan refugees poured in, over and above the two million of them that already we were hosting. FATA that had remained neglected ever since the creation of Pakistan took a further blow during the Afghan jihad when its social, tribal and administrative structures were weakened or completely destroyed. When events of 9/11 occurred it suffered the most as it acted as a buffer and cushioned the shock and awe of the US invasion for Afghanistan. In the process the Pakistani state that always had a weak control over FATA lost its writ in many parts paving the way for the influx of Al Qaeda and Taliban.
It is worth reminding ourselves that during this entire period of turbulence starting from the 80s until now FATA and NWFP, which were already very backward in terms of human indexes whether it is education, per capita income, health and empowerment of women suffered even more. With a fast growing population gross neglect of education has produced a generation with hardly any skills to relate to either national or global economy. The collapse and absence of the public education system with 2 per cent annual growth rate in population thus became a serious threat to the nation state. No wonder then that militancy has become the most lucrative occupation for the youth who find it as a means of livelihood and a vehicle for empowerment in these areas.
The above facts notwithstanding, Pakistan cannot absolve itself of its responsibility for where it stands today. Its robust participation as a front line state in the Afghan jihad against the Soviets without taking measures to protect its vital interests was a strategic error. Similarly, its support of the Taliban in the quest for its misguided ambition for strategic depth in Afghanistan was an unmitigated disaster. Both these foreign policy decisions cost the country heavily in terms of weakening its state structures, destroying the social fabric, undermining the economy and weakening political institutions. Meanwhile, military grew even more politically powerful giving it a key role in the affairs of the state. Moreover, Pakistans support to the Taliban strengthened reactionary and retrogressive forces in neighbouring Afghanistan and within Pakistan. This resulted in an ideological blowback causing strategic disorientation among our ruling elite. Taliban philosophy is the very antithesis of the vision of Qaid-e-Azam and opposed to the forces of progress and modernisation that are crucial to Pakistans march into the 21st century. Moreover, association with Taliban soiled our international image that already had suffered with the military takenver. Bracketing by US of Afghanistan and Pakistan in Obamas latest regional strategy could be attributed as a cumulative outcome of these flawed policies.
Pakistans relations with India also suffered due to 9/11. Whereas Pakistan became a frontline state and non-NATO ally, it was India that truly acquired the status of a strategic partner of US with the nuclear deal and cooperation in defence, technology and space. One of the major weaknesses in Pak-US relations has been the lack of confidence between the two countries at least until recently. And the anti-American sentiment has prevented Pakistan from being able to fully actualise and benefit from the relationship.
New Delhi taking advantage of Pakistans predicament after 9/11 stepped up its pressure and orchestrated a campaign that Kashmiri jihadi elements should be treated as terrorists. It also suited western countries not to differentiate between terrorism and genuine freedom struggle. Nexus between Kashmiri militants and Al Qaeda and Taliban are a source of serious concern to the international community and the problem of Kashmir remains frozen.
Initially Pakistan benefited from economic assistance offered by US, western powers and multilateral agencies. But in these eight years the cost of war has been staggering in terms of loss of life, disabling injuries, displacement of millions of people and extensive destruction of private and public property. Rough estimates indicate it is anywhere between 35 to 40 billion dollars and Pakistan has received from Washington about 11 billion dollars which includes reimbursements for the services rendered. In the process economy has been a serious casualty as foreign and local investment dropped due to security considerations. And clearly Pakistan has partially lost its sovereignty as its political and economic affairs are being micro-managed by the US. Politically, 9/11 has contributed to the polarisation of our society and made it more violent and intolerant.
The support of President Bush and of western powers to a military dictator for seven years further weakened Pakistans political institutions. Wheeling and dealing by external players to protect their interests under the cover of seeking a smooth transition from military to civilian rule did create several distortions in our political system. Nonetheless, the advent of a democratic government however fragile it may be, with the support of military has proved to be better equipped in dealing with militancy and extremism.
The writer is a retired lieutenant-general. Email: talat@comsats.net.pk
