The Taliban Factor

In view of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, more money and resources were poured in the madrassa system. Saudi Arabia and the US were more than happy to help Pakistan to win the war on the basis of ideology. Since the motivation was pretty strategic, the wide net work of Islamic madressahs (schools) were engaged as “mujahedeen making factories” to ensure a continuous supply of the trained willing fighters.

Later on, the same mujahedeen were re-labeled as Taliban (Taliban is plural of Talib that means student).
After defeating the soviets, Pakistan encouraged and helped the formation of Taliban regime in Afghanistan to safeguard its own strategic interests. No doubt, having a friendly government in Kabul would secure Pakistan’s western border, but that was never allowed to continue.

Many years afterwards, the relations between OBL (Osama bin Laden) and America deteriorated to a point where Osama was declared as a fugitive criminal. And, the presence of OBL in Afghanistan paved the way for the US military intervention leading to the demise of Taliban government.
With the U.S. control in Kabul, came Mr. Hamid Karzai in power.

Ever since the opportunist India has been successfully exploiting the situation; twelve consular offices are reported to be operative along the PAK Afghan border. It’s one of the major irritants that make Pakistan very nervous.
The armed to teeth militants of the BLA (Baluchistan Liberation Army) and the TTP are equipped with top of the line weaponry. Pakistan always blames the Indian involvement behind terrorist activity throughout Pakistan.

This scenario keeps Pakistan on its toes as its writ continues to remain challenged and compromised. The FATA area menace of militancy on both sides of Pak Afghan fenceless border has destroyed the region economically.
Since the dream of military victory hasn’t come true, as the 2014 withdrawal of the US forces is nearing; a negotiated settlement seems to have potential for some viable solution. However, all stakeholders are to be in agreement.

Pakistan claims that drone strikes are counterproductive; nevertheless, Washington advocates its effectiveness for countering terrorism, and of course this serves as pressure tactics to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.

The US has already facilitated the opening of office for negotiating with ‘Afghan Taliban’ in Doha, Qatar. Currently, it’s in the midst of peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.
Furthermore, Washington has no objection if Pakistan goes ahead with having dialogue with the banned TTP (Tahreeek-i-Taliban Pakistan).

Nevertheless, the prevailing skepticism makes the critics think that the current universal crisis of terror has been cleverly created by those who have no respect for human values. The terrorists worship money even if they have to create crises.

Indeed, the chaotic scenarios have left the flood gates wide open for the unlimited opportunities to make material gains at the cost of life and property of the innocent. Mysteriously, the media remains addicted to the opportunities as well for monetary gains.
Obviously, it’s not hard to figure out that there are certainly some criminal factions (the so called Taliban) who are like ferocious animals employed to work as merely proxy warriors. These monsters have absolutely no religious affiliations.

Some critics argue against the negotiated settlement. Because, there have been a few peace deals in the past including Shakai, Sargodha peace accord, Miran Shah peace deal, but none worked.
Swat is also a case in point, where the peace deal was messed up, as the Taliban militants attempted to introduce their version of Islam. Thank God, Pakistan armed forces succeeded in liberating Swat after a highly successful military operation.

Facilitating the development of an effective apparatus is needed to control the un-leashed monsters, because the prolonged war against the highly equipped TTP has not yielded any significant result.

The US support for Pakistan’s initiative to hold dialogue with Taliban is like one NOC (no objection certificate). Briefing Pakistan journalists on last week, senior US officials acknowledged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had shared with them his plan to engage the Taliban. “And we told them we have no objection to it as long as the Taliban agree to recognise the Pakistani constitution and respect the rule of law,” said one US official.
Mr Sartaj Aziz said “the government had already covered a lot of grounds and talks with Taliban are likely to start in the next few days.”

In the past, some countries eventually ended up having dialogue with the militants. For example: the IRA in Great Britain and Ireland, the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, and the Naxalites in India and peace talks between the US and the Viet Cong took place when all military means failed.

Acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts to support an inclusive reconciliation process in which Afghans determine the future of their country, both Obama and Nawaz wanted the Taliban to join the political process and enter into dialogue with the Afghan government.

Unfortunately the Muslims have already been divided in sects such as Shia, Sunni (Deobandi, Brailvi), Wahabee, Malki, Ahle Quran, Ahle Hadith, and many more with their own agendas not to serve Allah but others.
"As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou have no part in them in the least: Their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did." (The Quran Surah Al-An'am (6:159).

Let’s give the peace deal another try to save the innocent lives.
Only as a last resort, Pak Army would need a clear mandate for an all out operation for completely wiping out the militant element.

"Hajj Purifies the Sincere Ones Only"

The annual Hajj performance by the Muslims is in a way a marvellous opportunity to bring them together from all over the world to worship Allah the Almighty at one geographical location in a well organized manner. The massive gathering of three or more millions of Muslims at one common place of religious worship is, indeed, a confirmatory; the commendable step that gears up integration and solidarity in the different shades of the Muslim Umma.

Naturally, if the Muslims from different parts of the World gather together and interact with one another as the members of the same family, the feelings and mindset of oneness is developed leading to an emotionalised atmosphere of relationship amongst them. Most probably, there is no other prerequisite for the unity, affinity and harmony ever noticed of any community.

One has to have an intention to perform Hajj, and then the men have to be dressed in two un-hemmed white cloths, while the ladies need to be modestly dressed keeping face and hands uncovered. The rituals are to be performed the same way as done by Prophet Mohammed Sallahu Alaihi wasllam.

The ritual of walking seven times counter clockwise around the Kabah is called Tawaaf. Then, there is running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. The throwing of pebbles at “Jamarat” is to signify the defiance of the devil and is an expression of the pilgrim’s intention to obey Allah’s commandment, and is a demonstration of his humility and servitude to Him.

The slaughtering of the animals and shaving or clipping of the hair are the actions that signify about the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
The annual Hajj also is famous for teaching discipline and forbearance to all participants. In fact, the observance of the rites of Hajj in the faithful manner keeps the pilgrims very close to the purity of mind, and that’s the solitary mode to acquire the vicinity of God Almighty, indeed.

Furthermore, the Hajj is the world’s greatest example of eliminating social discrimination and any other human differences. It’s based on the fact that all mankind is from Adam and Eve: An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority over white; actually, none has superiority over another except by piety and good action, said the prophet during his last sermon at Arafat valley during his only hajj, as he performed Hajj just once.

While delivering his sermon, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) advised the Hujjaj, “Regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust, return the goods to their rightful owners, and hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.”
He said further, “Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived, your capital, however, is yours to keep, you will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.”

“Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.”
“Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat.

Perform Hajj, if you have the means.”
The prophet said, “I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.”

Nevertheless, let’s remember - the Hajj, the Sacrifice and all Ibaadah may be nullified, if we tend to re-join the sinful life. This means if our attitude doesn’t change, Allah will never help us achieve our Islamic purpose of life. Obviously, if we are not careful enough, the element of hypocrisy in our thoughts and actions is more than sufficient to ruin our effort of connecting to our Creator/Lord.

Moreover, the disease of hypocrisy attacks those weaker ones who fail to maintain TAQWA, and those who don’t follow the Qur’an and Sunnah; hence are at greater risk.

Since, the polluted thoughts lead to social vices 24/7; we must resist them to maintain good connection with our Creator.
The problem is some people go for Hajj, yet, they don’t hesitate to indulge in arguments, fights; or lose talk; hence are liable for maintaining the stinky environment around them.

Furthermore, it’s usually seen that some people during Tawaaf (fard) love to violate the general atmosphere by committing short cuts to reach for kissing the black stone (hajr-e-aswad) which is just a Sunnah. Accidents do happen with this nonsense.
If there is no self discipline, there is no Ibaaddah. If selfishness is allowed to frustrate the others, how is the hajj valid then?

However, on the other hand, the true believers behave well with utmost patience despite the odds. From the very start, they observe calmness and when they return after hajj, they are really transformed into good citizens and they are Sin Free like a newly born baby.

May Allah (SWT) enable all the Hujjaaj to perform the hajj within the allowed parameters.
May He accept the Hajj of all pilgrims this year and help them return home safely in good spiritual purity and a sound physical health as well.(Ameen).
All others should still take the message based on the Prophet Muhammad’s last sermon leading to more unity among the members of Muslim community all over the globe enabling them to have self-control and unconditional submission to Allah (SWT).
Certainly, if the Islamic values are appropriately observed and practised sincerely, beyond doubt, there is a real understanding of the significance of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha.

“Ray of Hope amid Climate of Mistrust”

Most probably, the political leadership in India is addicted to score political mileage through cursing Pakistan. Higher the degree of allegations and hatred against Pakistan, more are the chances to be elected to come into power. If that’s really the case, Dr Manmohan (81) has been up to the mark with his anti Pakistan tough tone, while addressing the General Assembly recently.
Following the speech of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the general assembly, the prime minister of India had to target Pakistan labeling it as the “epicenter of terrorism” in South Asia.
The Indian premier didn’t even hesitate a bit while repeating the same “memorized version” of his story during his one on one meeting with President Obama.

Is it a reality that the Indian voters hate Pakistan so much that their PM felt so pressured to shift most of the blame of his regime’s failure towards Pakistan in order to get elected again next year? The audience can easily figure out the answer. Here, Indian premier’s attitude suggests there is a significant political mileage in Indian politics through blaming Pakistan. The fact of the matter is Mr. Singh’s party faces an electoral challenge early next year against the extremist Hindu parties that have called for a tougher position against Pakistan.

On the contrary, Nawaz Sharif (63) was more optimistic while telling the United Nations last Friday that he wanted “a new beginning” with India. “We stand ready to re-engage with India in a substantive and purposeful dialogue,” he said during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Vow!

Yet, India stubbornly creates negative arguments by complaining about non-action on the Mumbai attacks and blames Pakistan’s inability to suppress jihadi elements and the recent LoC violence. But, Pakistan has been rightly upset due to India’s lack of willingness to take up the core issues including Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen and the issue of Pakistan’s share of water from the flowing rivers.

Thank God, subsequent to the “heavily polluted Indian speech” in the general assembly, the ‘aftershocks’ changed into friendlier atmosphere to bring the rivals closer during their one on one meeting in the larger India Pakistan dynamic. Though, many claim it was just a waste of time as it ended up with nothing but inaction, yet any benefit of the said meeting cannot be overlooked either. Mr. Singh was very cautious during his meeting with Mr. Nawaz. Probably, there is a great deal of trouble for his political party to survive the 2014 election.

In spite of all this, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believe that normalization of ties is the desired outcome between India and Pakistan. Moreover, Prime Minister Sharif asserted for a sustained dialogue between the two countries. The two countries can prosper while making movement on the issues which have adversely affected relations. Sadly, both sides failed to come up with a workable mechanism to achieve the goal of normalization.
Positive development: According to Shivshankar Menon (India’s national security adviser), Mr. Singh and Mr. Sharif are in agreement to remove Kashmir related tensions which triggered three wars between Pakistan and India since 1947. The leaders have also pledged to push senior military officers to find “effective means” of restoring a 2003 cease-fire in Kashmir, said Mr. Menon.

Both the premiers agreed to pay visits to each other's respective countries. Of course, something is better than nothing.
Other problem is the economic position of India is not as sound as it was four years ago. The future condition of diplomatic relations between India and the U.S. is also preparing for a rough ride ahead. If the BJP assumes power in India after winning the upcoming Indian elections, a different scenario is quite predictable: The next expected Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has been twice denied visas to go to the USA, in 2005 and again in 2013, on the basis of his record of human rights violations. Therefore, it’s quite likely that the entire ball game with respect to Indo-US relations changes.

It may safely be presumed after the Manmohan’s recent visit to the U.S., that the era of U.S.-India understanding is almost over.
Friendly relations between India and Pakistan are of crucial importance for mutual trade and economic well being indeed.
Since, Indian water terrorism is costing Pakistan in terms of agriculture and its economic prosperity, India must stop violating water rights of the low riparian Pakistan.

Beyond doubt, there is a desperate need for improving the India-Pakistan equation. Mr. Sharif seems moving slowly and carefully. And, Mr. Singh is not so sure for his re-election. So, at end of the day, there is nothing but inaction.
Quite obviously, the words without action are meaningless.

Thus, without wasting further time and resources, a resolution of all outstanding matters, including Jammu and Kashmir, foreign interference in Balochistan, Siachen, Sir Creek and water issues must be a top priority to pave the way for viable friendship between the long time rivals.
The key word is security; prosperity follows it.