TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU Excelsiordaily Established 1965 Now, Taliban controls Pakistan Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Harsha Kakar tion documents. Bodies of killed Pak nationals, chief stated that the Taliban and the TTP are ‘two insecurity. fighting for the Taliban, are received in Pakistan faces of the same coin.’The Taliban is employing The third fear is that the Taliban, unlike the DDC Chairpersons sore mran Khan in an interview with the New York and taken out in processions, draped with Pak the TTPto blackmail Pakistan. It could be this fear nineties, has received global recognition and may Times, stated, ‘Given that the US gave a date national flags. which is directing Pakistan’s behaviour towards not depend on Pak’s instructions as in earlier Iof withdrawal, from then onward, our lever- The Pak air force threatened Afghanistan of the Taliban. times. While its government, even if it captures about ''bureaucratic apathy'' age diminished on the Taliban. And the reason is air strikes in support of the Taliban. Afghanistan Pakistan knows that the Taliban and Haqqani Kabul, may not be globally recognized, however, that the moment the United States gave a date of accuses Pakistan of backing the Taliban, which network control the TTP, which targets the Pak it knows that it has the ears of major powers, main- nce more, Chairpersons of District Development exit, the Taliban basically claimed victory.’ SM Councils are up in arms against the alleged Pakistan denies. The world is aware that Osama army, CPEC and Chinese citizens. In its spare time ly due to its promise of not permitting terrorist Qureshi, Pakistan’s foreign minister, in an inter- Bin Laden was officially sheltered by Pakistan, TTP members operate with the Taliban in groups to operate within. Nations may prefer bureaucratic indifference and non- redressing of O view to an Afghan television channel also made with Imran Khan even describing him as a mar- Afghanistan. The TTP is responsible for maxi- direct interaction with the Taliban, ignoring Pak- their genuine demands. In order to run the District the same comment by stating that Taliban leaders tyr. Pakistan’s Madrassas are factories from where mum civilian casualties, which Pak claims in the istan. Thus, the Taliban could also very well dump Development Councils (DDCs) smoothly, the demand are based in Afghanistan not Pakistan and hence Taliban recruits are churned out. Pakistan’s glob- Global War on Terror. If Pak reduces support to Pak. has been raised for a dedicated Finance Commission Pak’s influence over them has reduced. al standing, already at rock-bottom, would sink the Taliban, the TTPlaunches devastating attacks. The Taliban is unlikely to recognize the Yet the Taliban are globally identified based further, in case Tal- Recent ambushes Durand Line to assuage feelings of Pashtuns on for financial needs of the Panchayat Raj Institutions. In on their residence, as the Quetta or Peshawar Shu- this connection, there can be no two opinions about iban spills beans on The third fear is that the Taliban, on Pak army patrols both sides of the border. Such a step would ra. The Pak army spokesperson, Maj Gen Babar the nature of support resulting in casual- enhance Pakistan’s vulnerabilities. Even current- some problems really being faced by the DDCs in run- Iftikhar, mentioned in a TV interview, ‘Pakistan it receives from unlike the nineties, has received global ties is an indicator of ly, despite all claims of close coordination with ning the Councils properly but sweeping and generalis- has no favourites among the Afghan stakeholders. them. the power of Taliban the Taliban, the Pak army has deployed tens of ing those in respect of all Councils especially regarding The Afghans have to choose their leadership. Pak- A major reason recognition and may not depend and its allies on thousands of soldiers along its Afghan borders to alleged non- cooperative attitude by the administration istan is only a facilitator of the Afghan peace why Pakistan Pak’s western bor- protect it, not from the Afghan army but the Tal- process – not a guarantor.’Pak has always desired on Pak’s instructions as in earlier cannot simply be in place except probably in rare remains on the Grey ders. iban and its allies. a government in Kabul, which is subservient to List is its failure to times. While its government, even if it Taliban can Turkey, which announced its intention of con- cases which needs to be addressed properly. That is it and largely anti-Indian. Hence, till recently it primarily because more emphasis is being laid on act against UN pro- adversely impact tinuing to defend the Kabul airport, even after US preferred the Taliban. With reality sinking in, its scribed terrorist captures Kabul, may not be globally Pak’s economy. and NATO forces leave, has come under flak from strengthening such grass root democratic institutions views are changing. groups and their recognized, however, it knows that it Influx of refugees the Taliban. The Taliban have threatened to attack by the UT Government and if there are specific Pakistan’s interior minister, Sheikh Rashid leaders, including from the deteriorat- Turkish troops. If Turkey withdraws, it would be instances where some bureaucratic steadfastness Ahmed, tore apart all claims of his colleagues, the Taliban. For a has the ears of major powers, mainly ing situation in a sign of weakness, if it continues, its troops could when he mentioned in a TV interview, ‘families proves as a stumbling block in the pursuit of having long time Pak sup- Afghanistan would be targeted. It is bound to approach Pak to push of Afghanistan's Taliban live in this country, ported, funded and due to its promise of not permitting be an economic the Taliban to lift its threats. Time would dictate respective district areas developed properly, why including in the capital city of Islamabad, and should they not be sorted out well in time? trained the Taliban, terrorist groups to operate within. nightmare for Pak- which side would bend, Turkey and Pakistan or sometimes members of the insurgent outfit are including coordinat- istan. In a recent the Taliban. In this connection, any effort and for that matter rais- treated in local hospitals.’ Taliban negotiators, ing its operations statement, Pak- Pakistan nurtured the Taliban as snakes in their ing any genuine demand by the DDCs for better func- based in Doha, visited training camps and hospi- and directing its global outreach. The impression istan’s information minister Fawad Chaudhary backyard. These snakes have now grown so pow- tioning and to being in a position to fulfil the develop- tals treating their injured in Pakistan, while on a projected was that Pakistan held power over the stated that Pakistan would not permit Afghan erful that members of the household are fearful of mental aspirations of the people in respect of their visit to the country early this year. Rashid’s com- Taliban and could influence its outlook. refugees to enter their cities. The refugee move- them. The Pak-Taliban scenario has reversed. ments added credence to Pakistan possessing con- With passage of time the scenario has ment has commenced. It could become a flood as Currently Pakistan’s economy and security of its areas must be properly addressed by the Government. trol over the Taliban. For being more responsive to the public needs and to reversed. The Taliban currently holds the key the situation deteriorates. It can only be reduced western provinces is in the hands of the Taliban Reports emerging from Afghanistan mention along Pak’s western provinces and over its econ- in case the Taliban stems movement from regions and not the reverse. Pakistan has lost the game it be in a position to address their area-wise problems, Pakistani citizens amongst Taliban fighters killed. omy. It is Pakistan which depends on the Taliban within its control. Reversely, the Taliban could commenced. It is the Taliban which is now in the the DDC Chairpersons having sought certain powers Pakistan’s serving army officers have been arrest- for its security. In his interaction with senators, on encourage refugee movement and along with driver’s seat. ed in Afghanistan with their Pak army identifica- to be conferred on them while meeting the Lieutenant the future scenario in Afghanistan, the Pak army them push in members of the TTP to add to Pak’s The author is Major Gen (Retd) Governor in a deputation recently, needed to be con- sidered favourably. Satish Singh Manhas then the commission must con- The main problem which irks most of the DDCs is sider, the nomination provision he recent stand of politi- for them or else denying vast the alleged overlapping of responsibilities which though cal parties, social organi- Delimitation process in J&K majority their rights at the cost of last time, when in early March this year, there were Tzations, NGOs, individu- reservation may lead to social protests by some members in respect of "low " honorar- als and civil society in front of the sole criteria, it may go against ups in papers or some statements randa or even social media. So tricts. So one uniform formula and political unrest. The commis- ium and other matters, the issue had been discussed Delimitation Commission is all Jammu, Udhampur and Srinagar from the political leaders in low the delimitation is nothing less cannot be applied practically to sion must focus on this aspect on about personal concern and agen- etc. So far none seems to have tone. Aam Aadmi from valley is than an uphill task. The Delimi- the whole Jammu and Kashmir.