Gall’s article against Pakistan is a reflection of West’s frustration

Amna Razzaq
Carlotta Gall’s article in NYT came on the same day as results of the third quadrilateral meeting hit the headlines. In what appears to be quite a piece of fiction and clearly intended to malign Pakistan. The timing of this article may be significant as it was none but the New York Times’ own Carlotta Gall taking pains to remind the powers that be that Pakistan was the epicenter of international jihad and that all ills surrounding Afghanistan were a product of the Pakistani establishment and intelligence agencies.
Ms. Gall had the cheek to implicate Pakistan in the rise of Isis. Unfortunately, the NYT did not check the historical details of the article and joined those who leave no stone unturned to exploit Pakistan’s status as the whipping boy of the West. However it has been quite evident that Pakistan is all for peace and has always played a significant role in bringing peace whether it is Afghanistan or Middle East as well. One can assess Pakistan’s sincerity from its efforts in diffusing tensions between KSA and Iran. Pakistan has tried hard to calm tensions between KSA and Iran and the latest sojourn of our politico-military leadership to Riyadh and Tehran is a case in point. In case of Afghanistan, Pakistan’s efforts to build a case for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process are clearly manifested in the diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the Pakistani leadership. Here it may be pertinent to count the visits of General Raheel Sharif, the DGMO and even the DG ISI to Kabul in the last six months to highlight the seriousness of the military leadership in helping Afghanistan finding a peaceful solution.
It is indeed ironic, that whenever the Taliban’s strike them (US/NATO) where it hurts, they start pointing fingers at Pakistan…Someone must ask them, if ISI is responsible for attacks on them (Which is not true), then is it alright to accuse, CIA to be behind the uncountable terrorist attacks in Pakistan?
If viewed pragmatically, the phobic focus on the Haqqani group doesn’t sound to be correct!…They had 150,000 of their ISAF troops, same amount of highly skilled Private Military Contractors and a equal number of Afghan army and security personnel’s stationed in Afghanistan…Then why couldn’t they themselves ensure that no cross border infiltration takes place ? I guess it all depends on whose feet the shoes are on in this case….
The Afghan Taliban’s are part of the same Mujahidin force, who the US, with the help of Pakistan, Saudis and others created as a force to launch a Jihad against the USSR forces in occupation of Afghanistan and drive them away. Today, it is the US/NATO in the same position that the former USSR was, in a way wearing the same shoe that they did and battling against the same force they created in the name of Jihad. The same friends Hero’s of yesterday for the US are today Fiends and Zero? The answer is simple, the shoe doesn’t fit it pinches! Appears to be a very naive way of thinking. Have they no realization that they are into war with the Afghan freedom fighters and they would hit them whenever they get the opportunity…So, why blame Pakistan for that? Also: Pakistan has suffered the most in the long war on terror launched by Uncle Sam in this part of the world. The Pakistani military has borne the brunt of terrorist attacks across the country and is rolling back the scourge of terror with one of the largest military operations in its tribal areas. Since 2003, the US-led Nato’s lifeline of strategic logistics not only passed through Pakistan but was also protected by the same military that Gall has been brazenly targeting. US military presence in Afghanistan was – and is – possible because of this facility provided by Pakistan.
For me one thing is very much disturbing, ignoring the history so shamefully by everyone around. Weren’t these the same Taliban leaders who enjoyed breakfast in White-house with Reagan and about whom Charlie Wilson so proudly said, “I wish we had these Mujahidin in Nam”? It should not be hard to understand that for every state her own interest and security is a priority. This article is a repetition of old accusations, nothing more. But check how this western “expert” has construed it: “What he means is it depends on how much international pressure can be brought to bear on Pakistan to cease its aggression.” He does not blame anyone but Pakistan. So what’s new? If you are writing something with an agenda then you are not an “expert” but a propagandist. What US + Nato were doing there in Afghanistan for 8 years. They spent almost 800 billion yet could not give this damned country a working government. And now blaming Pakistan, sitting in Washington think tanks and fed by spurious Indian researchers and so-called scholars, for all ills is preposterous.
One thing is very clear. No other country will come and fix it. Afghanistan has to do this job itself. Why nations fail, because of leadership failures who adopt wrong policies. Hamid Karzai is to blame for this colossal failure. It is easiest thing to blame one’s own failure on others. But let’s suppose that what Carlotta Gall is saying is all true and Pakistan did not live up to its words. Then what about America? Did it live up to its words? TTP leadership was residing in Afghanistan for years and despite all its might and resources US couldn’t eliminate it? I would like Carlotta to reply that rather than writing about hearsays. While Americans were doling money to it, then Afghan President, Hamid Karzai’s and his brother, was taking that money by plane loads to UAE. That money never trickled down nor was used by its intended purposes. Today in Afghanistan, there is a complete failure of institution and no wonder Taliban are about to run over Kabul government. What Carlotta has to say about that?
One may blame Pakistan for everything but reality is that Afghanistan turned out to be another Vietnam for America. I yet have to see someone writing about that “Vietnam” and accepting the fact that thousands of American men and women died for no reason. Was it Pakistan’s fault?