Changing Mood of Pakistan Government

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's confession that terrorism was deliberately created and nurtured in Pakistan as a policy to achieve some short-term tactical objectives deserves to be hailed. Although there is nothing new in what Zardari has said with regard to terrorism, it is really surprising to hear it from a Pakistan's head of state. This is the first instance when any Pakistani president has openly admitted that Pakistan actually encouraged terrorism under a strategy. Zardari has said that the fact should now be admitted honestly. The statement by Zardari at a meeting of retired civil servants has come about when the country has come to realise that it faces the biggest threat to its existence from the terrorist networks like the Taliban, and not from India.

The President was apparently referring to a widely held belief that Pakistan’s security agencies under military rulers created and nurtured extremist organisations for the fulfilment of its internal and external agenda. These outfits were dubbed as “assets” in the furtherance of strategic objectives, particularly in Afghanistan and Kashmir.

Fighting Taliban
There are several countries that refrain from admitting their centuries-old mistakes, whereas in comparison what Asif Ali Zardari has admitted is just recent news. It therefore shocks everyone when he says that terrorists who have become villains in Pakistan today were being praised as heroes until recently. Under US pressure or its own domestic compulsions, Pakistan's entire government machinery appears to be fighting the Taliban today. This fight is not with the Taliban alone, but also with elements within the elite class, the army, and the Inter Services Intelligence, who are supporters of the Taliban at one level or the other.

Zardari said that terrorists were considered as heroes in Pakistan before the 11 September 2001 attack, but they have now started challenging the state. Zardari would not have said such a big thing without giving it a thought. He could not have given such a statement without taking into confidence power centers like the Army or the Inter-Services Intelligence. His statement is indicative of the changing mood of the Pakistani Government. In fact, with regard to action against the Taliban, the mutual understanding between the Pakistani Government and its Army has become strong.

Army Chief General Kiyani also admits that the Taliban pose a big threat to Pakistan at the moment. He has indicated that the Army could go to any extent to wipe out the Taliban. However, the action against the Taliban could be successful only when they have full cooperation from people. The Pakistani Government has, therefore, expressing a tough attitude with regard to terrorism. The government is aware that resentment among people against the Taliban is growing. The common man is harried by the way the Taliban played a bloody sport in Swat and some other areas, and destroyed social life. It became necessary to give the message that the government is not in confusion with regard to terrorism, and is it under any pressure.

Responsible for Terrorism
In his statement, Zardari has held his predecessors responsible for terrorism, and claimed that the present regime is clean in this regard. He has also tried to earn the trust of the United States and the international community by his attitude, whose cooperation he needs the most at this time.

After the Mumbai tragedy, the international community's pressure on Pakistan has increased quite a lot, following which the Pakistani Government is compelled to change its stand. This pressure and the internal situation in Pakistan have brought Zardari to this stage. Still, it cannot be said with certainty that there is going to be any radical change in Pakistan's policy.

Politics in Pakistan
The politics in Pakistan is quite complex and has several twists. The Pakistani rulers have also been expert at changing colors. Although Army Chief Kiyani looks at the Taliban as a crisis, he also considers India as a threat to his country. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, had given an indication of this.

The anti-India phobia among the politicians in Pakistan and a large section of society is quite strong. This phobia could be discerned in Pakistan's policies so far. Let us see how Zardari's statement is taken. However, we wish that he remains firm on his stand, and decides his country's policies in accordance with it.

Need of the Hour
There is a dire need to wipe out terrorism with a strong political determination and in coordination with the military. Toward this end, a comprehensive campaign is called for. It is for the first time that any head of state in Pakistan has come forward with such a straightforward statement of confession. Now, it needs to be seen in the days ahead how far the Pakistan political leadership succeeds in bringing out the deserved results with the cooperation of the Pakistan Army and Pakistani people.

And the biggest point is that accepting a mistake is also a reassurance of not repeating it, but does this rule also apply to Zardari's statement? It cannot, therefore, be said with certainty at this time whether Zardari's admission would resolve the matter, or would complicate it further.