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The United States itself had miserably failed to do enough for Afghanistan. Despite the tall claims of the United States the country was in a serious mess. The Karzai government was effectively limited to just Kabul and that the militia commanders and the drug barons are likely to remain unchecked in the rest of the country. The media reports that the United States has failed to stem increasing Taliban infiltration from Pakistan. Because of recent United States military action against civilian populations, Taliban has grown in strength and has been able to recruit hundreds of fighters for its cause. The media has also reported that the United States is planning to increase its troops in Afghanistan because it is convinced that nation-building is a serious undertaking requiring more American commitment and resources. Britain has stepped forward to increase its presence along with the United States, according to media reports.
Pakistan has paid a high cost for the three decades of instability in Afghanistan. The sacrifices made for Afghanistan’s stability, ever since the Soviet defeat was indeed immense. Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghan refugees during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, of which two million were still living in Pakistan. Thus, the role of Pakistan in Afghanistan was mostly supportive of the Karzai Government and that it had been playing a stabilizing role in a region facing many challenges. Pakistan is playing a very significant role in bringing stability in Afghanistan.
Certainly, Pakistan was doing whatever it could, under the circumstances, in the global war on Terrorism. It had sustained more casualties in the fight against terrorists than both Afghan and international forces put together. This showed Pakistan’s commitment to the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, Pakistan had maintained friendly relations with the Karzai government in Afghanistan, and provided diplomatic, political and financial support to it. Stability and peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s own best interests. Meanwhile, Pakistan looks forward to a cooperative security arrangement with the Western allies to meet new requirements. Pakistan also wishes to assist the ISAF in its stabilization operations in the country. But fighting terrorism was not only Pakistan’s responsibility and international and Afghan forces should also expedite their efforts to overcome this menace. The struggle to uproot extremism was described as a battle for hearts and minds and it was acknowledged that it would take time to achieve this objective. The emergence of extremism in South Asia was linked to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan when groups from around the world were brought to the region to fight the Soviet forces. Better coordination among the forces combating extremists and better and quick intelligence sharing were needed to tackle this problem. The way forward should encompass a robust and practical political component along with the military one.
The commitment to fight terrorism must also include a fight for global justice, especially for Muslim causes. Nothing else will do. The West must recognize the grievances of the Muslims and help them to achieve a life of honour and dignity. Only justice can stop the likes of Al Qaeda.
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Sohail Mahmood
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