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Colonel Imam: Ideologue or pragmatist?

(5 posts)
  1. zia m
    Member

    He sounds like a pragmatist.

    It is interesting to note that time and again the Colonel has insisted that Mullah Omar is a reasonable man who would be willing to negotiate and compromise with the Americans, given the right terms and conditions. In an interview with McClatchy in January, he even hinted at the possibility of acting as a liaison between the Americans and the Afghan Taliban leadership. Given his history of close links with both sides, it is entirely conceivable that Colonel Imam might play an important role in any future or ongoing talks with the Afghan insurgents. Of course, any such role would require the approval and active support of the ISI.

    With rumours of secret negotiations and potential deals doing the rounds in the international media circuit, some reports already suggest that the US is actively seeking a compromise with the Afghan Taliban. Speculations of Saudi involvement in this process have also been made and it will be interesting to see if anything concrete develops over the next few months, and if so, how Pakistan and the Colonel would fit into the equation

    http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-col-imam-qs-07

    Posted 1 year ago on 10 Mar 2010 16:15 #
  2. On his part, Colonel Imam makes no effort to conceal his ideological support for the Afghan Taliban. This support can possibly account for his particular views and predictions. That being said, his in-depth knowledge of the region and vast experience with key players involved in the conflict cannot be overlooked. If his predictions prove to be accurate, the implications for the region will be crucial. In the end, only time will tell if the enigmatic Colonel Imam is an ideologue dwelling in the past (as suggested by his detractors) or a grounded pragmatist with profound foresight.
    (same link as above)

    His past interactions with the top brass from all sides mark him as a very important person. Question is why this character is being played at this time and why not before? He may have been a deep rooted plant who is being revived and activated into a scenario to play a crucial role once again. Why he has never been a target while the likes of him; most of them have been eliminated!

    Posted 1 year ago on 10 Mar 2010 16:36 #
  3. zingaro
    Member

    Col Imam can certainly play an important role as he might have high level links with both sides. He had been involved in CIA operations in Afghanistan through ISI nomination and many famous Afghan war lords consider him as a teacher and give same respect. He is himself a dangerous man having knowledge of spy wars and even he can make bombs using ordinary things available in a home. Anyway the main thing is peace which should be attained by whoever to be involved.

    Posted 1 year ago on 10 Mar 2010 16:45 #
  4. Assalam-o-Alaikum-Warahmat-ULLAH ALL,

    (sarcasm) No one gets angry with, shoves slurs onto Col. Imam for recruiting people to go on Jihad and die, as Pakistanis' love to put it. Everyone points their slurs only at JI. I wonder why that is ? Why isn't he hated for his contribution in times of Russian occupation of Afghanistan ? (/sarcasm)

    Is a video of this interview available somewhere ?

    Posted 1 year ago on 10 Mar 2010 18:28 #
  5. zia m
    Member

    Col Imam works for the army.He does not make policies not fair to blame him for our past mistakes.

    Posted 1 year ago on 11 Mar 2010 15:36 #

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