The Pakistan Update

By Trudy Rubin – Inquirer

After two weeks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, I’m struck by how much hot air is expended on rumors of talks with the Taliban.
If you believe the tales, Afghan President Hamid Karzai (or his brother Qayum) was talking to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s No. 2 man, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, before the latter was recently arrested in Pakistan.

A second popular rumor has it that Pakistan arrested Baradar so it could control any talks between U.S. officials and Taliban leaders. A third says the United States is stopping Karzai from meeting Taliban leaders, or blocking a “peace jirga” in Kabul that has just been postponed until late May. (more…)

Tags: Afghan Taliban, AfPak, Al Qaeda, CIA, Featured, Hamid Karzai, ISI, Mullah Baradar, Mullah Omar, Taliban Talks

Posted in Afghanistan, Around, Blog | 2,142 Comments »

By Wajid Shamsul Hasan

Why Pakistan needs strong institutions is amply demonstrated in recent events of monumental importance. However, these events did not get enough attention either because of indifference from analysts or their lack of comprehension about these issues. It is a tribute to democracy that, despite the challenges of security and economic downturn due to the fight against extremism and terrorism, the government of Pakistan has succeeded in meeting major challenges. Of course, in doing so it enjoyed the support of the masses and the major political forces in the country.

Let us talk about those monumental events at an international and national level, events that have been taking place ever since the democratic government came to power in March 2008. Seven such major events and developments are discernable. (more…)

Tags: Afghanistan, Asif Zardari, Democracy, Hamid Karzai, Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa, Martial Law, Military, musharraf, nfc, Security, Taliban, War on Terror

Posted in Blog | 2,491 Comments »

In almost every briefing pertaining to South Asia, the U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke says that he won’t use the ‘K word,’ by which he means Kashmir. This is sensible of him, knowing that any statement could escalate into an exchange of hot words between India and Pakistan (and India has made it clear it has no intention of bowing down before an meddling intermediary). Hence Ambassador Holbrooke understands the seriousness of the situation and thus avoids the “K” issue.

There is another increasingly controversial “K” that U.S. officials should refrain from using, especially in a derogatory manner. And that “K” stands for Karzai. (more…)

Tags: Abdullah Abdullah, Af-Pak, Afghanistan, AfPak, Ambassador Holbrooke, Barack Obama, CIA, Featured, Hamid Karzai, Insurgency, Pakistan, President Obama, Richard Halbrooke, Taliban, Talks with Taliban, Terrorism, us media, War on Terror

Posted in Afghanistan, Around, Blog | 1,191 Comments »

In a visit that wasn’t announced until he arrived, President Barack Obama met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.

Obama arrived at Bagram Airfield aboard Air Force One at 7:25 p.m.; local time 10:25 a.m.; and was met by Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry.

The president boarded a helicopter at Bagram for a 15-minute flight to the presidential palace in the Afghan capital.

James L. Jones, Obama’s national security advisor, told reporters the president would engage his Afghan counterpart on benchmarks for matters that require attention, such as a initiating a merit-based system for appointment of key government officials, battling corruption, and taking the fight to the country’s drug traffickers, who provide funding for insurgents.

In his first visit to Afghanistan since taking office, Obama firmly prodded Karzai to take more decisive steps to reform his corruption-tainted government so both leaders can capitalize on the surge of 30,000 more American troops into the war zone.
Speaking to nearly 2,000 military service personnel, Obama warned that they faced “difficult days” in the escalating fight against Taliban insurgents.

“There are going to be setbacks,” Obama said during the 20-minute speech at Bagram Air Field near Kabul . “We face a determined enemy. But we also know this: The United States of America does not quit once it starts on something.”

In his speech, Obama told the American forces that their job was to “reverse the Taliban’s momentum” and to disrupt, dismantle, defeat and “destroy Al Qaeda and its extremist allies.”

Obama also praised neighboring Pakistan for acceding to persistent American pressure to clamp down on al Qaeda and Taliban sanctuaries.

Tags: Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Counter Terrorism, Featured, Hamid Karzai, Insurgency, Kabul, Obama, Pakistan, Taliban

Posted in Afghanistan, Around, News | 2,326 Comments »

By Tahir Ali

Afghan President Hamid Karzai wants to win over the moderate Taliban insurgents and leaders by offering them money, jobs, protection, and amnesty. But the million dollar question is: will his plan succeed. I think it won’t for various reasons. The strategy was used in Iraq with significant results. However it is either unlikely to happen at all or may not succeed in the war-torn Afghanistan though it probably will generate considerable debate in the media. The coalition obviously aims to divide and weaken the Taliban-led struggle. British foreign secretary David Miliband has also publicly stated that the aim of the Western countries was to divide the Taliban and overcome their resistance.

The coalition only wishes a respite in attacks against the coalition forces there and wants peace but on the basis of its own terms and desires. Will the Taliban or Hikmatyar, rather Afghans, agree to it? They, as we all know, have their preconditions to enter into a meaningful dialogue. Both Taliban and Hikmatyar –the two biggest forces that matter there –have made their support to a negotiated (more…)

Tags: Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, General Kiyani, Hamid Karzai, Hezb e Islami, Hikmatyar, NATO, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taliban Talks, US

Posted in Afghanistan, Around, Blog | 838 Comments »

A high-level delegation of Pakistanis is due to sweep into Washington for the restart on March 24th of a “strategic dialogue” with America. The Pakistanis have muscled their way to the table for what looks like a planning session for the endgame in Afghanistan. The recent arrest of the Taliban’s deputy leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, and a clutch of his high-ranking comrades, has won them a seat.

The Pakistani team, led by the foreign minister, will include both the army chief and the head of the army’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). America has upgraded its own representation at the talks, last held in mid-2008, from deputy-secretary to secretary-of-state level. The dialogue is supposed to cover the gamut of bilateral issues, including help for Pakistan’s fragile economy, and even, on its ambitious wish-list, civil nuclear technology.

But the future of Afghanistan is the most pressing topic, and in Pakistan that issue is always controlled by the powerful army and the ISI. Pakistan believes that the Americans are coming to understand its fear of encirclement: (more…)

Tags: Afghan War, Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, CIA, Featured, Hamid Karzai, Hillay Clinton, India, ISI, Kabul, Mullah Baradar, NATO, Pak US relations, Pakistan, Pashtun, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Taliban, Terrorism, US

Posted in News | 767 Comments »

By Muhammad Jamil

President Hamid Karzai, soon after his arrival in Pakistan, went straight to the Presidency to hold talks with President Zardari. Both leaders have agreed to revive the joint grand jirga process for evolving a common strategy on furthering Kabul’s reintegration and reconciliation plan. Both leaders are of the view that military operations are not the solution, so Pakistan and Afghanistan should cooperate in engaging the Taliban to restore peace in the war-ravaged country. A day earlier, President Karzai had a meeting with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, and it appears that President Karzai has been tasked by the US to bring at least second rankers from the Taliban leadership on board. Pakistan and Afghanistan seem to be on the same page now. Realising that without Pakistan’s transit facility and facilitating logistics there could be a disaster, measures have been taken to address the concerns and sensitivities of Pakistan.

The London Conference was held in January 2010, which was a prelude to plans for an honourable exit of the US and its allies’ troops from Afghanistan. The objective of holding the London Conference on the future of Afghanistan, arguably, was to find ways and means to hold talks with the Taliban with a view to bringing peace in war-ravaged Afghanistan. In the communiqué of the conference, attended by about 70 nations, a renewed commitment was made towards helping Afghanistan so that it emerged as a secure, prosperous and democratic nation. (more…)

Tags: Afghanistan, Asif Zardari, FATA, Featured, Hamid Karzai, London, London Conference, Pakistan, Robert Gates, Taliban leadership, Talks with Taliban

Posted in Afghanistan, Blog | 1,556 Comments »

Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Islamabad Wednesday for talks with Pakistani leaders after his government called for the extradition of a senior Taliban commander captured in Pakistan.

Karzai will stay in Pakistan for two days. It is his first visit to neighbouring Pakistan, which like Afghanistan is battling Taliban militants, since his controversial re-election in troubled polls last year.

On arrival in Islamabad, Karzai was received by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior officials, Pakistani officials said.

President Asif Ali Zardari is to host a state banquet for Karzai and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will hold talks with him Thursday. (more…)

Tags: Afghan border, Afghan Pakistan Talks, Al Qaeda, FATA, Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Terrorism, Tribal Areas

Posted in Afghanistan, News | 1,597 Comments »

By Jim Garamone

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met in Kabul Monday to discuss the challenges still facing Afghanistan and the increasing opportunities in the country. Gates and Karzai discussed the major operation under way in Helmand province during their talks at the presidential palace before meeting with reporters in a joint news conference.

Karzai approved and devoted significant Afghan troops to the operation in Helmand, which is blunting Taliban momentum in the country, Gates said. Other positive developments include additional military and civilian support from the international community, increasing pressure on the Taliban inside Pakistan, and Afghans’ response to Karzai’s call to take on the Taliban.

Karzai and Gates also discussed the “Peace Jurga” that the Afghan (more…)

Tags: Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, Hilmand, Marja, Marjah Offensive, Peace Jurga, Robert Gates, Taliban

Posted in Afghanistan | 1,097 Comments »

The Taliban’s leaders will decide soon about joining talks with the Afghan government, a spokesman said on Friday, after President Hamid Karzai invited them to a peace council as part of efforts to end years of fighting.

Karzai on Thursday set out plans for a loya jirga, an assembly of elders and influential Afghans, to initiate peace talks with the Taliban and called on the group’s leaders to take part. The United States and its allies would not participate.

Foreign donors are funding an Afghan plan to reintegrate rank-and-file Taliban fighters using jobs and cash, an initiative the Taliban have described as a “trick.”

Below are some questions and answers about possible talks.

WHY WOULD THE TALIBAN TALK WHEN THEY ARE STRONG?

The insurgency, composed of several factions, is at its strongest since the Taliban’s removal in 2001. But it faces a surge in foreign troops and a concerted, relatively well-funded initiative to tempt foot soldiers with promises of cash and jobs.

Some Western diplomats also say fighters are weary of the battles that has gone on in the country for decades. (more…)

Tags: Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Featured, Hamid Karzai, London Conference, Pakistan, Taliban, War on Terror

Posted in Afghanistan, Around, News | 430 Comments »