Quetta Shura
By Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi • Oct 2nd, 2009 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 11 CommentsQuetta Shura is the ultimate result of the growing threat perception the American led NATO/ISAF feel after their seven years of their occupation of Afghanistan. The more war in Afghanistan lingers on the higher is the threat perception of war on terrorism which American are ultimately going to loose in Afghanistan. The famous saying about the country may come true in case of the American presence that “One can rent Afghanistan out, but cannot buy it”. The occupation of Afghanistan is easier but sustaining of it is difficult. Right from the Cyrus of Great (580-529 BC), Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), The British, and the Soviets occupied it with no time but the resistance following the occupation was immense and inflicted on them heavy financial, military and human losses. There is no Shura.
The recent statement by the American ambassador that in Quetta is the base of all support for Taliban or resistance the allied troops are facing can well be analyzed in the contexts since 9/11. Thierry Meyssan wrote a book in 2002 soon after the twin towers were hit, 9/11: A Big Lie, that the immediate repercussion of the incident was the revenge of Afghanistan and its surroundings. In the game of power politics where dominant power defines the rules of the international system and makes its repercussions for small powers in redefining its foreign policy, rules were set for Pakistan.
What is going on today with day to today threat to our stability and integrity is the ultimate result of the policies our rulers adopted to support our Afghan policy. We jumped into the proxy Afghan war by supporting Mujahideen or counterrevolutionaries as the part of big powers’ game under bloc politics. We supported Taliban largely for security considerations in 1994 as the situation in Afghanistan in the wake of Soviet withdrawal posed a insecurity threat. Pakistan was in a difficult situation but could have a way out as a representative government, no matter weak or agencies tempted. It was a legacy Pakistan inherited from the 12 year military rule.
Pakistan had no choice but to take a U turn after 9/11. In case of a civilian rule there might have been a middle way but the ultimate problem Musharraf regime had was of legitimacy which short cut lied in accepting American demands for bases and uprooting Taliban. The security menaces we have today are bigger than they were in pre 9/11 period. And sovereignty of the country appears at stake due to foreign interference and mounting NATO troops in Afghanistan.
America led allied troops entered Afghanistan in 2002 under the UN Security Council Resolutions 1386 and 1510 in February 2002. The force was created to deal with the challenges Afghanistan interim government faced from the growing resistance from Taliban which since then has been growing. The first commander of NATO force in Afghanistan, Gen. David Richards, a four star British general, was very soon not very optimistic of the future of allied troops’ operations in Afghanistan. The allied troops entered Afghanistan for fight against two threats. First, was the growing Talibanization and second was the control of poppy cultivation which under Taliban control of Afghanistan had come to almost nil. Since then they failed to do so. Taliban have become more stronger than they were before in Afghanistan and despite the massive funds to Karzai government the writ of central government is limited to Kabul or few cities under International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), a force which assumed command of the NATO troops on 31 July 2006, when ISAF. Since then there have been gradual increase in the number of NATO under ISAF as well as American troops which number has been increase with the latest alarming statement of its commander Gen. McCrystal that unless there is more deployment of troops the chances of Allied forces loosing the war are imminent.
There has been no reality of Quetta Shura. It is the ultimate result of threat perception which has been growing with loosing grip of Afghanistan. In March 2009 a news item in Washington Post raised hue and cry in Pakistani press against the possibility of drones attacks on Balochistan. The recent statement by the American ambassador is the reflection of the threat perception. Balochistan Pashtun is still peaceful where one can travel day or night. The presence of Taliban cannot be ruled out but there have no report of a threat or supporting force elements to allied troops. It is largely a threat perception of a war which America is losing in Afghanistan.
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Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi is Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Balochistan Quetta.
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This is the way it always is with aggressor non-muslims. They will never ever be satisfied. They will always seek more until you aren’t even left with your self respect. Zardari is bending over backwards to please them and now they see that the govt. is weak and they can expand the war into Baluchistan as well. People will of course ask “where does it stop?” Are they going to bomb Karachi next or maybe lahore?
What they are trying to do is spread the war into Pakistan. They did this in Iraq too. They couldn’t control the population so they decided to encourage infighting. The age old policy of divide and control. Unfortunately for them they are not very good at it. They can certainly divide but they end up loosing control.
Hi abdusamad,
Your nation was born of that devide and rule policy of British Imperialism.
Your nation under the pay of USA killed fellow Muslim Palestenians in Jordan nearly 10,000 of them and Brig Zia became and prsident and ruled your country for 6 years.
General Musharaff killed Bugti in cave and pathan girls in lal masjid on orders of China.
Again your nation helped USA to kill Russians in Afghanistan which later became killing Uzbeks,taziks and hazaras.
Killing Hindus have been the old game in the guise of freedom fighters.Now Indian big cats have paid Americans enough and now your turn to stop killing Hindus or face Quetta bombing. what an irony.
Interestingly enough there a general perception has emerged that In Afghanistan where Taliban although are in control of almost 80% of Afghani land; they have proved to be the most brutal force and are inflicting heavy losses and causalities on US Lead NATO forces. But at the same time it is wilfully aired to build up a scenario that against all the odds they are open to negotiation and Afghan problem may be resolved amicably with Taliban by sharing of power and their representation in Kabul Government.
Whereas Media is lead to believe and being stressed upon that Al Qaeda is since detached from Taliban and after saying good bye to their previous host (Taliban) have completely shifted to Tribal Area of Pakistan. Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan and their subversive activities in Pakistan was one such establishment to build up this pretext of Al Qaeda migeration. But for successful Pak Military action in Swaat this pretext has reasonability been eroded.
The planned Military action in South Waziristan; whereas will clear the Al Qaeda mist and Pakistan may declare and show the total clearance of its territories of Al Qaeda but CIA and other enemies of Pakistan are also proving to be very smart. They are shifting the goal post and pitching it forward in deeper areas inside Pakistan.
Blame of Al Qaeda influenced so called Shura HQ in Quetta Baluchistan is one thing but it is being claimed that Al Qaeda sanctuaries under the threat of South Waziristan operation they have since migrated now in disguise to Southern Punjab.
Pak Army is persistently doing its job and a successes but it require a iron fist leader to handle the challenges faced by Pakistan. A Mard E AAhan, Mard e Momin who can lead from front and not a mere reactionary to the developing situations and that initiative is that it remains in our enemies’ hand???
All the good writers are called upon to please know the situation in its true sense. Know your enemy and do every possible thing which helps strengthen Pakistan and it forces.
USA does as it pleases and to legitimate its acts it throws a reason infront of the World as it did in Afghanistan,Iraq followed by Pakistan.They have been eying Balochistan since Gwadar Port saw daylight.Why would they be interested in dry plains of Balochistan?The reason is obvious they are lured by the million dollar route Gwadar Port is offering and the strategic position of Balochistan,same is the case with India who wants a safe and short passage for their trade to Afghanistan and Central Asia.All this hotch potch is being fabricated to get hold of the province if not separated from the rest of the country.No concrete or credible reports of presence of Taliban has been offered so far.Its just a part of the great game we are into and God knows till when we will remain in it.There is neither any Shura nor Mullah Omer or his cohorts in Quetta.
I agree with Saima verbatim
“USA does as it pleases and to legitimate its acts it throws a reason infront of the World as it did in Afghanistan,Iraq followed by Pakistan.”
As did Tariq bin Ziad, Muhammad Bin Qasim, Mehmood Ghaznavi and Ahmad Shah Abdali to name just a few. Yet they are considered heroes while Bush is considered villain for doing the same? I don’t get it. Seems the faith of the conqueror determines if he’s doing good or bad. Its time we put all conquerors in the bad category regardless of faith.
“There is neither any Shura nor Mullah Omer or his cohorts in Quetta.”
Of course you would know as you are closely linked to Shura and Mullah Omer. So where are they if you are so informed?
My guess is Mullah Omer does not give away business cards so one’s guess is as good as others.
If u have any reliable reports of Mullah Omer being in Quetta go ahead and put forth.I think havent read newspaper since years.Or else u wouldnt be writing so oblivious of the fact that there is no Shura here in Quetta.Do u live here that u r so sure of it?Where did your sources inform u Mullah Omer is? in Quetta? Really??????????????
u havent*
Quetta shura doesnot only consist of Mullah Omar. What about those very eleitist restaurants in quetta who suddenly stopped serving lone female customers.? Who owns them? or Who gave them the orders? What about Army of Islam? Lashkar Jhangvi, jaish Mohamed etc etc?
as the legenday general custer once said ‘we are americans. we dont plan, we do.’ sadly this has symbolized american foreign policy since america’s rise as pre-eminent power post ww-ii. they have bungled every foreign policy step that they have ever taken. i grant them that they may mean well but as they dont think or plan ahead they end up further messing up an already messed up situation. the afghanistan - pakistan mess is of their making.
America & pakistan are like husband & wife who have been unfaithful to each other yet they keep up pretenses for the world.
This current mess is not entirely america’s fault. pakistani establishment is also to be blamed. the situation is also fouled up by the numerous fear mongers, conspiracy theorists in the pakistani media who dont realize the disservice they are doing too the country by spreading unsubstantiated rumours about the ‘foreign hand’. I guess, when ever there is a break down of civil confidence it becomes very easy to find a faceless foreign hand to blame for all of one’s problems.
most of the so called ‘fact just dont stand up to serious scrutiny - is there a quetta shura or not, is the so called pakistani taliban under american/indian employ, the americans are eyeing the gwadar port, there is blackwater in america, no there is no blackwater in pakistan - all this and much more have contributed to the growing sense of unease in pakistan. as an outsider all i can see is sense of dis - illusionment in pakistan. its sad but the people of the indian sub-continent have always been let down by their leaders (chosen or not).