Author: Rajeev Deshpande
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 3, 2008
Introduction: Afghan Prez Says Institutional
Support Helping Pak Ultras, Singh Doesn't Blame Islamabad
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai broke a
brittle silence over Islamabad's role in supporting terrorism by bluntly telling
the Saarc summit here on Saturday that institutional backing has led to terrorists
striking deeper roots in Pakistan.
Karzai has made no secret of his anger over
Pakistan's ISI collaborating with the Taliban to launch attacks in Afghanistan
in the past. He has directly named ISI in the suicide bombing at the Indian
embassy in Kabul. But by naming Pakistan in a summit speech, he has positioned
Islamabad as being central to the problem of terrorism. The ticking off only
adds to the rising outcry over Pakistan failing to check its military and
intelligence establishments who seem to be working for the return of Taliban
in Afghanistan. With US President George Bush also asking Pakistan PM Yousuf
Gilani about who ran the ISI, Islamabad seems to stand fairly isolated.
Asking South Asian countries to stop playing
geo-political games, Karzai said, "In Pakistan, terrorism and its sanctuaries
are gaining a deeper grip as demonstrated by the tragic assassination of 'Shaheed'
(Martyr) Benazir Bhutto." He added, "While existing on the absolute
fringes of our tolerant and peace loving societies, terrorists in our region
receive institutional nurturing and support." The reference was crystal
clear. While Gilani's options are unclear given the nebulous control he wields
over the ISI and the army establishment, Pakistan may not find its easy to
fend off Karzai's "name and shame" tactics. It also means that Karzai
is mounting more pressure on his principal backers-the US - to use its leverage
with Pakistan.
Though PM Manmohan Singh made no reference
to Pakistan, he too touched upon terrorism, saying, "The recent attack
on the Indian embassy in Kabul and the serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad
are gruesome reminders of the barbarity that still finds a place here in South
Asia." But his "terrorists and extremists know no borders"
approach seemed to pale before Karzai's plain speaking. Afghanistan has suffered
scores of Taliban suicide and roadside bombs that have already killed more
than 200 civilians this year, making it among the most violent places in the
world. Terrorist strikes have been a regular feature in India as well with
serial bombings emerging the most potent threat. While the Indian situation
is hardly comparable with Afghanistan, failure to check terror incidents has
put the Manmohan government on the backfoot.
"Terrorism in our region feeds on a residual
tradition of narrow-minded politics and of pursuing outmoded geo-political
interest," Karzai said, which again was a reference to the conviction
of Pakistan's political and military establishments over the need to develop
"strategic depth" in Afghanistan to prevent the rise of a powerful
Kabul and to also feed the "jihad" in Kashmir. While Gilani also
referred to Bhutto's killing to argue Pakistan was also grappling with terrorism,
his plea may not wash with Asian leaders. Over the past two years, Islamabad
has repeatedly tried to cut deals with pro-Taliban tribal groups but has failed
to make much headway.