Taliban Marching in Swat...Worries Upgraded to Fear in Kabul!

Pakistani government's recent decision to mark a historical deal with the notorious Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Swat Chapter has brought it sharp criticism. Although at home, Pakistani government strongly defends its stance on the deal terming it very necessary for the establishment of law and order in the valley, it has not yet been much successful in explaining its clear position on the situation. On the one hand, Pakistan has been the front line state in US's war on terror ever after 9/11, on the other hand its role has always been seen with a doubtful eye. In the light of signing of a peace deal with the militants in the restive Swat valley, which also brought Pakistan once again in the lime light, Pakistan's role and intentions have come under scrutiny by all stakeholders of the so-called 'war on terror'.

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Richard Holbrooke's call to President Zardari and informing him of US's worries on the deal, adds to the truth of the matter that no state has neither welcomed the move nor have they taken it lightly. It's even a very serious issue particularly when the US led forces are engaged in day to day combat offensive against the same group of Taliban Afghanistan chapter. All these pressure have added on the shoulder of Pakistani president to once again deviate from his promises, which by the way is a good habit of him (Remember the case of restoration of Judges). Secondly, Afghanistan's current government can never accept such a deal in its closest vicinity at any cost due to the fact that they are in a very horrific fight with Taliban. In addition, Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who by the way is the negotiator with the backing of the Provincial government, has actively been involved in supporting and helping Taliban in Afghanistan. Maulana Fazl ullah who leads the Taliban Swat Chapter is his son-in-law and a strong supporter of Taliban. To Afghans, such a deal is the laying of foundation stone for a safe, legal and well protected heaven for Taliban where they could sit and plan any sort of attack anywhere in the world without least fear of being put to trial for their inhumane acts.

The red alarm has already rung in Kabul and particularly Kabul's Presidential palace where American backed president Hamid Karzai is residing and has shown up in the public quite rarely in the last 12-16 months due to fear of being attacked by the Taliban. He had to fly to Islamabad yesterday but that was called off in the later hours, probably due to the same fear or probably due to the anger he has for his counter part in Pakistan who had given a green signal for talks with Taliban. Karzai has interestingly been of the same character as his counterpart in Pakistan. He would openly call Pakistanis his brothers and when he goes back to Kabul he starts criticizing them for not doing enough to stop cross border terrorism, a term he must have borrowed from his Indian friends. Anyhow, whatever the outcome of these talks might be. The wounds of Kabulis are still unhealed. The nightmare Mumbai style attacks on governmental buildings a couple of weeks ago demonstrated that terrorists can and will attack any point and at any time they choose.

Kabulis want action, not words. They want to see the menace of Taliban eradicated. Taliban, the movement that ruled Kabul brutally for four years and were ousted in 2001 as a result of US led invasion with the pretext of 'war on terror’, have left bad memories and won't be acceptable to Kabulis. The time is high ripe for the international community to act and not wait for another experiment that has been facilitated by the Pakistani government in Swat. Such experiments are very violent and will produce no result other than destruction and worse memories. International community and particularly the big powers have a responsibility to push Pakistani government to act with its all might and bring to justice all those criminals who burnt down hundreds of schools, killed hundreds and abducted numerous.