@Beena
If we are looking in hind sight then the decision of PPP to acknowledge Taliban government in Afghanistan appears faulty.
However if you try to go back and imagine the situation of 1994/96 you will find the decision of Pakistan's government supporting Taliban seems reasonable.
I am carefully using the word Pakistan government not just PPP government because not only Mohtarma and her cabinet including Gen. Naseerullah Baber supported this decision but the real government of Pakistan i.e., (Al mighty establishment) was also planning since Zia regime to use Afghanistan and Tribal ppl as their "fuel and raw material" to control the central asia.
The seeds of religious extremism and arming fanatic mullahs with US dollars and weapons was started in the Zia regime. Sectarianism, AK47 and drug culture is also the by product of Zia's policies. During second term of PPP Taliban had become a real force at least in Afghanistan with full backing of Pak ARMY and ISI and other international players like KSA and UAE. While other religious extremists of Pakistan were involved in Indian-held Kashmir.
Though the talibans took over 90% of Afghanistan, apparently established peace in war-torn ocuntry and had not exposed their true face until 1996 I think it was not the wise decision and mistake PPP government made in their second term by accepting Talibans rule in Afghanistan.
The other reasons why PPP didnot confront the Taliban like it is doing now is because:
1- Pakistan was facing the mannace of MQM and Sectarianism.
2- Pakistan was under heavy sections of USA and in the first term of NS government it was almost declared as "Terrorist State".
3- So, PPP's major focus was on to curtail MQM and safe Pakistan from being labelled as Terrorist State which it did along with stabilising/improving economy despite for being in govt for only 2 years.
4- So, Taliban was not the eminent threat to Pakistan in early 90s. The eminent threat was MQM with which PPP government was occupied!
5- Beside in the 4 tenures of PPP led govt, in first govt Taliban phenomemon not even existed, in 88 again Taliban had not emerged, in 1994/96 PPP was occupied with MQM mainly and taliban were not fully exposed as they are now, and in 4th tenure PPP and majority of country is taking
Z(T)aliban hard on.
Posted 2 years ago on 03 Jun 2009 11:12
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