Proxies and Non-State Actors of Pakistan

               US aid to Pakistan completely dried after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1988.  Pakistan started slowly disengaging from powerful militant groups. However, all war veterans ‘Jihadi’ and warlords could not be rehabilitated and honorably disarmed. The state of Pakistan also decided to abandon the use of non-state actors to further its political agenda particularly after the death of President of Pakistan Gen Muhammad Zia ul Haque.

Then came 9/11 and everything said to be changed. World community led by the USA widely propagated that use of violence even for just freedom struggle was not appropriate. The U.S. and Western Academia vigorously debated in media the new dawn of international ethics and morality. U.N. was made assertive and weaker communities assured that world community would stand with them. General Musharaf fully supported US efforts in Afghanistan during the war on terror. Pakistan was declared Non-NATO ally.

The ruling elites of Pakistan were hopeful that Pakistan would benefit from new changes at international level. President and Chief of Army Staff, Gen Musharaf assured people of Pakistan that U-turn in Afghan policy was in best interest of Pakistan. He told the nation in a televised address that he was promised help by U.S. to resolve Kashmir issue with India. Afghanistan was bombed to dirt. The US had avenged 9/11.

               After Bombay attacks of 2008, Pakistan completely withdrew moral support to remaining warlords and religious leaders who had previously benefited from violence in terms of money and prestige from Afghanistan and Kashmir.

               Warlords and “jihadis” were financially deprived and angry over sudden change of heart due to US pressure. Few of them were quickly “highjacked’’ by Indian intelligence agency, RAW; formed into TTP [ Tehreek Taliban Pakistan] and used against the state of Pakistan. These Mercenaries devastated the country in highly ruthless manner. Over seventy thousands Pakistani soldiers, police personnel and innocent civilians including women and children got killed in bomb blasts and suicide attacks till Jun 2017.

The sad part of the story- the US was fully in knowing what the India was doing. Though Pentagon was sympathetic and sincere, US state department prevailed; the economic interests of Multinational Companies’ Vis-a-Vis huge Indian market was preferred over Pakistan’s interests. India became the strategic partner. Indians were not checked to stop this bloody and inhumane game.

Pakistan kept bleeding everywhere from FATA to Baluchistan from Karachi to Lahore. ISI had done blunders by losing the credibility and ingress in militants groups. It was now running pillar to post to counter and unearth hostile networks operating everywhere in Pakistan. Massacres in schools, Mosques, Churches, Playgrounds, funeral and wedding parties, and crowded markets; nothing was spared by RAW sponsored TTP.

By 2010, TTP not only had terrorized the masses it even physically captured vast areas in tribal areas and was now threatening to overrun Islamabad. Pakistan “dushman” Taliban hideouts were being replenished openly by Indians consulates through Afghanistan.

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