Pakistan will NOT tolerate a US "Great Game" in the region
- Thread starter Sinnerman108
- Start date
monitor
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 8,570
- Reaction score
- 7
- Country
- Location
US presence in Afghanistan fuels extremism in Pakistan
Imran Khan
The assassination of Salmaan Taseer has shown only too clearly the growing extremism in Pakistan, the radicalisation of its society and the polarisation that is taking hold. This is not just between the religious and the secular, but also the polarisation that the “war on terror” has caused between the various religious sects.
There were no Pakistanis involved in 9/11 and al-Qaida was then based in Afghanistan. The only militancy we were suffering was among the tribal groups who had fought against the Soviets and whose idea of jihad was a war against foreign occupation. Yes, there was sectarian violence, but suicide bombers were unheard of.
So after 9/11, when General Musharraf chose to ally with the Americans in the “war on terror”, it was a fundamental blunder. Overnight he turned the jihadi groups created to fight foreign occupation from supporters into enemies, people prepared to fight the Pakistani army because of its support for the US invasion.
Musharraf then made a second mistake in sending the army into the tribal areas. Our own tribespeople immediately rose up in revolt. Rather than co-opting these people and, remember, every man is armed we made new enemies. Then along came the American drones to kill more of our people.
Soon, the American “war on terror” was seen as a war on Islam by the majority of Pakistanis and certainly by the Pashtuns in the tribal areas.
Extremism intensified
Every year extremism gets worse, our society becomes more radicalised and the bloodshed grows. This is how you must see the context of this assassination. Society is now so polarised that because Taseer criticised the blasphemy law he was seen as criticising Islam. But that was not what he said. This assassination would not have happened before the “war on terror”.
Imams of different sects are being killed now, and mosques and churches bombed. The fanaticism keeps getting worse. As disturbing as Taseer’s assassination is, just as disturbing is the way his assassin has become a hero. That is why this whole thing is so dangerous, it shows where we are headed.
I have been predicting this from day one. There is no military solution in Afghanistan, only dialogue, so the supreme irony is that in siding with the Americans all we have done is send the levels of violence up in Pakistan.
The “war on terror” has weakened the state and then, thanks to the George Bush-sponsored National Reconciliation Ordinance in 2007, which allowed an amnesty for all the biggest political crooks, we now have the most corrupt government in our history. The “war on terror” is destroying Pakistan.
Clemenceau once said: “War is too important to be left to the generals.” He was right; for us it has been a disaster. There is incredible anti-American sentiment here, and the drone attacks only fuel that hatred. We need a change of strategy, otherwise the worst-case scenario will be achieved here; an unstable nuclear state.
It’s not a question of there being no room for moderates, it’s that moderates are being pushed towards extremism. Taseer didn’t say anything anti-Islamic, he just questioned the blasphemy law and whether it should be used to victimise innocent people. His death has caused many moderates to think there is no point in being a martyr. If it makes people such as myself think twice about what we say, then where does that leave us? We are all now at risk.
Crime in Pakistan is now at a level that breaks all records. Yet 60% of the elite police forces are now employed protecting VIPs. Where does that leave ordinary people? Young Pakistanis are being radicalised and the Taliban grow in strength. The US is no longer fighting just the Taliban, it is fighting the whole Pashtun population.
The consequences for Pakistan, with its population of 180 million, are enormous. And there is an impact, too, on Muslim youth in western countries.
Graham Fuller, the CIA chief of staff in Kabul, wrote in 2007 that, if Nato left Afghanistan, Pakistan security forces could overcome terrorism and extremism. But, as long as the Americans push Pakistan to do more in the tribal areas, the situation will worsen ­until Pakistan itself implodes.
Courtesy: Guardian News and Media Limited 2011
Imran Khan
The assassination of Salmaan Taseer has shown only too clearly the growing extremism in Pakistan, the radicalisation of its society and the polarisation that is taking hold. This is not just between the religious and the secular, but also the polarisation that the “war on terror” has caused between the various religious sects.
There were no Pakistanis involved in 9/11 and al-Qaida was then based in Afghanistan. The only militancy we were suffering was among the tribal groups who had fought against the Soviets and whose idea of jihad was a war against foreign occupation. Yes, there was sectarian violence, but suicide bombers were unheard of.
So after 9/11, when General Musharraf chose to ally with the Americans in the “war on terror”, it was a fundamental blunder. Overnight he turned the jihadi groups created to fight foreign occupation from supporters into enemies, people prepared to fight the Pakistani army because of its support for the US invasion.
Musharraf then made a second mistake in sending the army into the tribal areas. Our own tribespeople immediately rose up in revolt. Rather than co-opting these people and, remember, every man is armed we made new enemies. Then along came the American drones to kill more of our people.
Soon, the American “war on terror” was seen as a war on Islam by the majority of Pakistanis and certainly by the Pashtuns in the tribal areas.
Extremism intensified
Every year extremism gets worse, our society becomes more radicalised and the bloodshed grows. This is how you must see the context of this assassination. Society is now so polarised that because Taseer criticised the blasphemy law he was seen as criticising Islam. But that was not what he said. This assassination would not have happened before the “war on terror”.
Imams of different sects are being killed now, and mosques and churches bombed. The fanaticism keeps getting worse. As disturbing as Taseer’s assassination is, just as disturbing is the way his assassin has become a hero. That is why this whole thing is so dangerous, it shows where we are headed.
I have been predicting this from day one. There is no military solution in Afghanistan, only dialogue, so the supreme irony is that in siding with the Americans all we have done is send the levels of violence up in Pakistan.
The “war on terror” has weakened the state and then, thanks to the George Bush-sponsored National Reconciliation Ordinance in 2007, which allowed an amnesty for all the biggest political crooks, we now have the most corrupt government in our history. The “war on terror” is destroying Pakistan.
Clemenceau once said: “War is too important to be left to the generals.” He was right; for us it has been a disaster. There is incredible anti-American sentiment here, and the drone attacks only fuel that hatred. We need a change of strategy, otherwise the worst-case scenario will be achieved here; an unstable nuclear state.
It’s not a question of there being no room for moderates, it’s that moderates are being pushed towards extremism. Taseer didn’t say anything anti-Islamic, he just questioned the blasphemy law and whether it should be used to victimise innocent people. His death has caused many moderates to think there is no point in being a martyr. If it makes people such as myself think twice about what we say, then where does that leave us? We are all now at risk.
Crime in Pakistan is now at a level that breaks all records. Yet 60% of the elite police forces are now employed protecting VIPs. Where does that leave ordinary people? Young Pakistanis are being radicalised and the Taliban grow in strength. The US is no longer fighting just the Taliban, it is fighting the whole Pashtun population.
The consequences for Pakistan, with its population of 180 million, are enormous. And there is an impact, too, on Muslim youth in western countries.
Graham Fuller, the CIA chief of staff in Kabul, wrote in 2007 that, if Nato left Afghanistan, Pakistan security forces could overcome terrorism and extremism. But, as long as the Americans push Pakistan to do more in the tribal areas, the situation will worsen ­until Pakistan itself implodes.
Courtesy: Guardian News and Media Limited 2011
monitor
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 8,570
- Reaction score
- 7
- Country
- Location
may be Taking pakistan is also the part of great game .who knows how much bleeding will happens for the great game of super power.
LeGenD
MODERATOR
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2006
- Messages
- 15,813
- Reaction score
- 162
- Country
- Location
As long as ample manpower and resources are available, and Capitalist Think Tank is working, bleeding is not a concern.
Americans do not care about how many human lives are lost for their great games. This nation's hands are already bloodied with lives of millions of people.
CENTCOM
PROFESSIONAL
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,519
- Reaction score
- 34
- Country
- Location
First of all thanks for sharing your thoughts as we certainly appreciate your feedback. We all know the current situation in Pakistan is far from what the peaceful people of your great nation desire! The attacks to which we have unfortunately become accustomed do not target one particular demographic. In fact no one is spared from terrorist brutality. The line between human reason and animal cruelty has long since been passed and it is anyones guess where the next attack might occur; Shopping centers, Mosques, Shrines and even on families and children.
You are absolutely right that this war has nothing to do with religion even though the Taliban attempts to manipulate peoples mind with propaganda. But you and I both know that as the truth unfolds they are left with nothing to say now; Pakistanis now recognize their untrustworthiness. Facts regarding the growing strategic partnership read contrary to your belief that Pakistan is being bullied. We respect Pakistan as an equal. Can the same be said of the Taliban who continue to unleash intimidation, death and destruction?
The recent report published by the New York Times regarding the US wanting to conduct operations inside Pakistan was immediately denounced as incorrect by RADM Gregory Smith:
http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/is...anning-for-ground-operations-in-pakistan.html
In fact Afghanistan, Pakistan and coalition forces formed on 23DEC10 a tripartite commission to discuss areas for future cooperation as both Afghanistan and Pakistan seek to build on the 2010 security gains:
Afghanistan, Pakistan, ISAF Military Leaders Seek Future Cooperation | ISAF - International Security Assistance Force
Vice President Biden has clearly stated, No US boot will tread on Pakistani soil and there will be no violation of Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity!
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
These facts about ongoing affairs should clarify that our growing strategic partnership serves the common good. All the rumors regarding US bullying should be put to rest and the focus should be turned to our enemy who continues to operate by disguising itself among the general public. The proximity to Pakistan border provides Taliban with a viable option as they continue to taste defeat at the hands of the US, NATO and Afghan forces. Do we turn a blind eye and stop advising and assisting Pakistan in its counterinsurgency efforts? The US desires a safe and secure environment for Pakistan without becoming a breeding ground for terrorists. Otherwise the threat posed by our common enemy lingers over both nations. Does the time not call for strict measures from both nations in order to safeguard your land? Should we not eliminate any possible escape routes? The facts regarding our strategic partnership prove that the US has continued to support Pakistan in fighting insurgency and its the terrorists like the TTP who continue to violate Pakistans National Integrity by freely conducting their operations and then openly claiming responsibility. Does it make sense to hold hostility against your ally who is trying to achieve the common objective? Do you not think stopping the freedom with which the terrorist continue to operate from within Pakistan should be a national priority as opposed to feeling insecure about our partnership? The situation in Pakistan does require the US to give strong advice. In fact the government itself needs to be proactive in fighting insurgency as it did in Swat for the sake of its citizens. The US does consider this to be an urgent strategic matter for both our countries, as we have shed a lot of our own blood in the struggle against these violent extremists. But please do not think for a second that we do not also realize the sacrifices made by the Pakistani people in countering our mutual enemy.
LCDR Speaks,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command
Alternative
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 282
- Reaction score
- 0
- Country
- Location
Xestan
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 2,455
- Reaction score
- 1
- Country
- Location
When on earth will we understand the difference between Afghan Resistance, The Taliban and other groups fighting US occupation and the terrorists of TTP..
TTP is a separate group, it DOESN'T fight in Afghanistan, it was "formed" to operate in Pakistan and OUR Forces..
CIA gives shelter to RAW in Afghanistan, with the collaboration of MOSSAD, RAW is giving the bastards (TTP), the money, weapons, explosives etc..
Not to forget what was recovered during Operation Rah e Raast..
TTP is Terrorist group, Mullah Umar have several times Denied any relation with them.. he still thinks there is no excuse to fight against ISLAMIC State of Pakistan and its Forces...
So, Afghan Taliban are NOT terrorists for Pakistanis, atleast for me, TTP are indeed the worst bastards ever!
TTP is a separate group, it DOESN'T fight in Afghanistan, it was "formed" to operate in Pakistan and OUR Forces..
CIA gives shelter to RAW in Afghanistan, with the collaboration of MOSSAD, RAW is giving the bastards (TTP), the money, weapons, explosives etc..
Not to forget what was recovered during Operation Rah e Raast..
TTP is Terrorist group, Mullah Umar have several times Denied any relation with them.. he still thinks there is no excuse to fight against ISLAMIC State of Pakistan and its Forces...
So, Afghan Taliban are NOT terrorists for Pakistanis, atleast for me, TTP are indeed the worst bastards ever!
Alternative
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 282
- Reaction score
- 0
- Country
- Location
that bring us to logical question, that is,
What is the Great Game that US of A have for this region, for now?, post 9/11?, right after 9/11? Who are the players? what is the Cup?
May be we need a separate thread on this.
Similar threads
