Imperial tirade against Afghan Taliban
IT takes a lot of grace to admit ones mistakes and to reform for the sake of mankind.
I was almost about to commit the cardinal mistake of taking Joe Biden on his face value when he said the other day something to the effect that the times for conquests through military campaigns were over, and that he would much rather contemplate winning by other methods like assisting the less privileged world through reconstruction and development.
Rather than allow the Afghan Taliban a window of opportunity to prove their worth and reformed outlook to life and governance, going by the fresh tirade and bias of the West; unleashing a media propaganda campaign against them, the Imperialists look to be out to attempt isolating the Afghans; more so as the Taliban hinted at joining the CEPEC.
With China, Russia and its neighbours this time engaging the Taliban constructively, the Indo-Pacific Defence Partnership comprising the US, Britain, Australia, Japan and India with serious reservations from China, New Zealand and France, pose a serious threat to regional peace resorting to a hybrid kind of cold war; continuing to keep the Pacific, South and Central Asia at centre stage, its main ally Britain declaring that the US after its Afghanistan debacle no longer remained world’s sole superpower, it was destined to be heading for another defeat.
Questioning the interim set-up as non-inclusive shows the imperial impatience, coupled with some landmark rebuff the Western media have of late been receiving.
Spencer Ackerman’s Book ‘Reign of Terror’ published on 10 August; just a month before the US aired its marathon tribute to the nearly 3000 who perished in the fateful decimation of the Twin Towers in Manhattan New York has graphically concluded that the Allied invasion post 9/11 had in fact unleashed a reign of terror worldwide rather than eliminating terrorism.
While this scribe like other fallible humans grieved at the tragic loss of lives (may their souls rest in eternal peace in the Hereafter- Aameen), Ackerman’s thought provoking and searing analysis of the consequences of the borderless global wars that followed, made me look back like Ackerman, into the futility of the so-called anti-terror campaigns.
Aiming to destabilize the dominant Muslim West and Central Asia along with China and Russia flanking them in the North-West, the 20-year campaign has accounted for tens of thousands of men, women and children killed, causing a humanitarian disaster in Pakistan neighbouring Afghanistan with an influx of over three million Afghan refugees and terror infiltration resulting in 80 thousand casualties of civilians and men in uniform pushing Pakistan into an economic abyss causing an opportunity loss of US $ 150 billion, and being rewarded with a certificate of being an untrustworthy partner in the insane war.
Ironically, the sinister war has resulted in violence by the far right, Islamophobia against Muslims and white supremacist racist attacks in the US, Europe and New Zealand; rendering the world far more insecure.
It is no surprise that the US and the Allied NATO countries in anticipation of their ultimate withdrawal, had been issuing visas and work permits to thousands of Afghans whom they had employed in various capacities to serve their interests during occupation, of which they made no secret.
Since no favours are for nothing, my hunch expressed earlier is proven correct that these poor souls are being whisked away not so much to save them from the Afghan Taliban, but to use them against Afghanistan from foreign lands, and discard them when they outlive their utility; something which has been distinctively typical of the US.
As Pakistan urged the world not to repeat the mistake of abandoning the Afghan Taliban like in the past, and to rally together to help them reconstruct their battered country, it was heartening to note that the two major world powers in the region namely China and Russia were not unmindful of their obligations towards a suffering neighbour.
While Putin commented squarely hinting at the US attempt in Afghanistan, that no one should try to impose their social values upon any nation from outside, China was more forthright as it welcomed the Taliban announcement of forming an inclusive Government, and declared that it was prepared to help reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.
And while Germany had taken initiative to develop consensus with its Foreign Minister visiting the region, it was disappointing that a person like Justin Trudeau who one thought was a moderate, refusing to recognize the Taliban as freedom fighters who liberated their land from foreign occupation declared them terrorist.
Whether some like former Senator Afrasiyab Khatak in KP like it or not, this crop of Taliban, as revealed by their measured narrative on each issue refusing to be provoked, will go ahead in grappling with the tasks ahead, for which they look to be on course to deliver God willing.
They have a task ahead to skilfully win back the hearts and minds of those very countrymen they had laid their lives for, to liberate them and their homeland from foreign occupation.
As for the formation of a representative Government, the Taliban need no guidance from outside as they best know how to cater to all segments of their society.
Not that one is averse to a female in the Cabinet to look after women’s affairs one does not remember any female in the Pakistani Cabinet for a considerable period of time leave alone Saudi Arabia or Iran which had first female in their Cabinets not before 2009.
It took nearly 150 years for the US and several decades in France to enfranchise women in these so-called emancipated societies.
Were women a deprived community there before such measures? Pakistan was the first among Islamic countries to have the distinction of placing Benazir Bhutto; a woman, as Head of Government way back in 1989, while Islamic history is replete with names of inspiring women leaders.
Whether individual nations, the EU or the UN, they must not be unduly impatient and intrusive about women empowerment or inclusive makeup of government in any country, which is not their business.
—The writer is a media professional, member of Pioneering team of PTV and a veteran ex Director Programmes.
