Taliban: The Golden Goose And The Deadly Noose

Pakistan has been pledged a sum of $5.28 billion at a donors meeting in Tokyo. President Zardari seeking aid from the Friends of Pakistan said, “If we lose, you lose. If we lose, the world loses.” He was referring to the Taliban insurgency in Pakistan. Since 9/11, Pakistan has seen a  growing international interest and aid.

Religious extremism has caused damage and anxiety but it has brought money to the rulers.

The fear of a Taliban take-over of Pakistan is a grave scenario for the US war efforts but the Talibanisation of culture and politics of the country has been hurting the people for long. Now they prepare to suffer the brutality of a Taliban rule.

The ruling elite have not much to show in their war against Taliban. A military surrender in Swat was legitimized by the national assembly when they passed the Taliban law called Nizam-e-Adl. Pakistan army, which is larger in size than the US army could not defeat the Taliban in Swat because they did not want to fight. Pakistan army likes to rule the country and avoid any other challenge.

The grip of the Islamists on the country has never been a secret and the military-feudal gang has always found religion as a method to oppress, so allowing Taliban to do the same in Swat, does not make a difference to them. Religion that demands loyalty of its citizens to the sovereign is the only ploy in the vast expanse of the country, where no sign of civilization has arrived in more than sixty years.

The donor countries are aware of this complicity between the state and Taliban so they demand transparency for their aid. The ruling elite are annoyed over conditions attached but they will not refuse the aid offered. International aid can enrich the lives of the few but the insurgency that laid golden eggs so far has shown promise of taking over the show. Puppets are mocking the puppeteers by chopping heads off and grabbing lands and mines.

There is a race between the rulers craving for international money against the danger of Taliban, and the actual Taliban take-over. Time is of essence in this game. Taliban take-over of the Malakand division has been authenticated and their presence in some major cities has been documented. Molana Sufi Mohammad of Tehreek-e-nifaz-e-shariat-e-Mohammadi is calling on partners to implement his version of religious rule over Pakistan.

The danger of Taliban taking over Islamabad looks real but the military could use influence and keep Taliban on the outskirts by making the parliament promulgate a rule of religious orthodoxy. Those who oppose such move could be faced with dire repercussions. Such tactic could buy them some more time to interact with international donors.

After all the delays, when the day arrives for the Pakistan army to choose between Taliban and the feudal elite, they would claim to accommodate moderate Taliban only. The promulgation of a medieval religious orthodoxy could be represented as the indigenous political system sprouting in a muslim country.

The biggest loser in the history of Pakistan has been the people of Pakistan. Most of them live below poverty line and the trials and tribulations of the state could prolong and intensify their misery. Being slapped by a young boy for arriving late for prayers to their girls getting flogged in city squares, the people of Pakistan could be consigned to hell by their sovereign.

President Zardari’s assertion “If we lose the world loses” could be prophetic for the people of Pakistan and the international community that shows interest in their well-being, but the elite could lose another chance of making rich of international donations and aid. When the golden goose tightens the deadly noose, the whole world will lose and the only winner would be regression and brutality. The knowledge of impending doom is agonizing and helplessness blows my mind.

courtesy: Rashid Malik