New Great Game and Afghanistan

The United Kingdom and Russia were vying for capturing the Central Asia during the 19th century. The United Kingdom was approaching from the Indian side, whereas the Russians were heading toward India while capturing Central Asia. Unfortunately, the Afghan soil was the center of this great game and Pashtuns were its fuel at that time. Both countries were using Afghanistan as a buffer state and playing this game from the Afghanistan soil. The tenure of this classical great game started with Russia-Prussia war in 1813 and ended on Anglo-Russian Convention in 1907. A British intelligence officer, Arthur Konolly had given this title to a geopolitical and strategic war and he had named the entire Central Asia the Great Chessboard. Rudyard Kipling later on gave this great game an unmatched fame and a romantic status in his novel the KIM.
War of Capturing Resources
This new great game is a war of capturing resources, particularly oil, its supply routes, pipelines and mineral resources more than just occupying territories. Another fundamental difference between the two is that the United Kingdom and Russia were the major players in the old great game, whereas Iran played a side role from time to time along with them; whereas, in the new game, a large number of regional and international powers are involved and the fuel are again the Pashtuns and to an extent Pakistanis. The players in this war include, in addition to the United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its allies, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Tajikistan of Central Asia, population of which is even less than 2,000,000.
This war is becoming the most expensive war of all times. Only the United States spent $130 billion in 2010 ($4 billion for social sector, and that too, with a number of conditions because of which the entire amount could not be released) (Parenthesis as published). This expenditure earlier amounted to $50 billion to $65 billion. The expenditure incurred by other countries is in addition to this. With regard to life losses, too, this war is becoming unbearable for the United States and its allies. The number of casualties and injured troops is increasing with each passing day. So far, more than 3,000 US and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) troops have died, whereas number of injured troops stands close to 8,000. However, according to independent sources, number of casualties and wounded troops could exceed these estimates because the Americans and ISAF sources are trying to fudge the numbers due to public reaction.
As far as the Afghans are concerned, they -- according to famous poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz -- consider their flesh and blood part of the soil so it became food of the soil (means the body went back to its origin). Majority of the troops, who have returned to their home countries, are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Their treatment, including physical ailments, will cost approximately $650 million. On returning home, these troops assume strange behavior. Some limit themselves within their homes; and some join those Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), which help people in Afghanistan and Iraq.
According to the US Anti-Suicide report, approximately 100 out of these returnees commit suicide every year, whereas, approximately 200 are prevented from committing suicide. Different countries want to have a stake in these countries because of their natural resources and strategic importance.
Natural Resources and Strategic Importance
Let us have a look at the natural resources and strategic importance of this region. The oil experts say huge quantity of oil is present under the Caspian Sea. In addition, the world's largest natural gas reserves are present in Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries. According to survey, conducted during the erstwhile Soviet Union times, 73 million tons coal, 100 billion barrel oil (it appears to be somewhat incorrect) (parenthesis as published) and 5 trillion cubic ft natural gas is present in Afghanistan.
In addition to this, the American National Geological Society conducted another survey in 2007 but released its report in 2010, which says that huge reserves of copper, gold, cobalt and raw iron, which value at $1 trillion, are present on the Afghan side of the Durand Line. The nature's distribution does not observe the geographic limits, set by human beings. It means that there could be huge reserves on the other side of the border, too (means, on Pakistani side). The Pentagon has compared and declared the Lithium reserves here at par with Saudi Arabia's oil reserves. In modern life, Lithium assumes the same importance as the oil, because no battery can be manufactured without Lithium. It is abundantly used in manufacturing several products.
China has initiated a $3 billion project in ionic copper mines, situated in Lugar Province of Afghanistan. It means the Pakistan-Afghanistan Pashtun belt is important as a transit route and it is also full of natural resources.
To benefit from these resources, the United States had first planned to lay a pipeline from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, and then to India and the Arabian Sea. The US firm, Unocal, Bredas of Argentine, and a Saudi company were competing to get the contract for this project. The US firm, Unocal had already spent lot of money on conducting feasibility study and had also arranged funding from international institutions, but the Taliban awarded contract to Bredas, which stunned the United States. Approximately four months before the 9/11 attacks, the US delegation informed every one and particularly Pakistan, during an international conference in Bonn that the Taliban had now become unbearable. And their government will be toppled by the end of the year.
The CIA initiated contacts with Ahmed Shah Masood; otherwise, ZalmayKhalilzad, while representing the US Government, had expressed support to the Taliban in his article, published in The New York Times only two days before this contact (with Ahmed Shah Masood by the CIA was established). In this article, Zalmay had also reprimanded the European countries for banning women veil. The write had suggested the European governments that they should not impose their culture on Afghans, as observing veil is a centuries old Afghan tradition.
The 9/11 attacks provided them (the United States and allies) a golden opportunity and they invaded Afghanistan, which unleashed a new process of destruction and devastation, because the war (in Afghanistan, allusion to Russian invasion of Afghanistan) had, in fact, started 20 years ago before the 9/11 attacks.
Cultural and Religious Influence
From a strategic importance point of view, four historic areas surround this region. Wild tribes, be they in the form of Scythians, White Huns or Mughals, have always marched from the northern plains, Steppe; and finally, Russia's march through Central Asia toward warm waters and Afghanistan and then expansion of Chinese empire from south to the east; and arrival of Indian cultural and religious influence from northwest side.Afghanistan is situated in the southwest of the Middle East region and Wakhan corridor is also situated here, borders of which, touch Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-administered Kashmir) in the south, Tajikistan in the north and China in the east. During 10-year erstwhile Soviet Union war, this was under their occupation; and the United States is also staying here. Iran is also situated in the same area; and Gwadar Port, which is placed as a modern port right at the edge of Asian Gulf, is situated on its eastern side.

Steps To Improve India-Pakistan Relations

A meeting of the Pakistan-India Joint Working Group with regard to the travel and trade facilities across the Line of Control (LoC) was held in New Delhi on 18 July where Zahra H. Akbari, director general for South Asia at the Foreign Office, led the Pakistani delegation while Joint Secretary Y.K. Sinha led the Indian delegation. In the meeting, the Cross-LoC Travel and Trade Arrangements were examined so that their effective implementation is ensured and additional steps are taken for the provision of the cross-LoC trade and travel facilities.
Unanimity of Views
The unanimity of views between India and Pakistan for enhancing trade through the Control Line, increase in travel and confidence-building measures is appreciable. It is an indication that difference between Pakistan and India are waning and harmony is growing, which is unavoidable for establishment of peace in this region. It is, however, necessary that effort is made to give the matters agreed upon a practical shape because an agreement for the provision of travel facilities to the people of the Occupied and Azad Kashmir across the Control Line and the promotion of trade between them was also reached earlier during the era of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and perhaps it was also implemented for some duration but this process was later suspended because of the lack of appropriate attention of the two governments and not only the little trade that was going on was suspended rather the hope of the people of the two regions to meet their relatives across the Control Line after decades also died. Therefore, it is necessary that this process is continued this time so that an atmosphere of harmony is created, which is necessary for strengthening the Pakistan-India relations. If seen attentively, such an atmosphere is also necessary for longstanding problems between the two countries. And if this process is to be advanced, this goal can be achieved by increasing the across-the-border travel facilities for people of each other.
Common Interest
New Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has told the Parliamentary Committee on National Security that progress is being made in the relations with India and if it had not been so, the India reaction after the Mumbai blasts would have not been positive. It is a welcome advancement. It is in the interest of both the countries that these contacts are not only maintained rather also enhanced. It is also necessary that care should not be ignored in this process of increasing meetings because both the countries are currently facing terrorism and any carelessness can provide the extremists an opportunity too achieve their nefarious designs.
Some care is being exercised after recent strain in relations with the US that is appropriate. Its proof is it that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has recommended that citizens of the US and other countries are issued visas from the Foreign Office through one-window. It will be its benefit that a single authority will be authorized to issue visa and obviously will also be answerable for arrival of any disliked personality or person in Pakistan.

It is hoped that this policy of carefulness will yield good results. The Parliamentary Committee on the National Security in its meeting of Monday made some other recommendations as well that need attention e.g. the committee has sought the draft of the Establishment of National Counterterrorism Authority and Anti-Terrorism Act from the Ministry of Interior, the objective of which may be that the immediately and solid planning for checking terrorism is reviewed. The committee has recommended that the Foreign Office should strictly implement the resolutions of the Parliament. It is a good proposal because it is necessary for establishment of the supremacy of parliament in the country that whatever resolution is passed, it is implemented in its letter and spirit.
Demand of Situation
Pakistani Senator Raza Rabbani has said that keeping in view the stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense, the committee would prepare recommendations for the government. Appropriate proposals will emerge in this way by implementing, which the government will be able to improve the defense and foreign affairs. The committee has also stressed that Pakistan's strategic interests should be given fundamental importance in all policies. It is a fact that there should have been no need to make this recommendation because safeguarding the strategic interests of any country is the top priority of its government. Anyhow, if the committee has now called attention towards it, the monitoring of these matters is necessary. The committee has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that talks with all countries should be held on the basis of equality and sovereignty. This directive too should be implemented because all countries and nations of the world are equal and none has supremacy on the other. Therefore, whenever talks are held or matter is agreed upon with any country, it is should be on the basis of equality.
The need for this directive has perhaps been felt because the US attitude toward Pakistan during the past many decades that Pakistan's assistance is stopped after achievement of the US objectives or sanctions are imposed on Pakistan has created an impression at the public level that the United States has supremacy over Pakistan. The adoption of the policy of equality is also needed to dispel this impression.

High-Level Meeting in Azad Kashmir Decides To Tighten Security

In order to check terrorism and establish peace in Azad Kashmir, it has been decided in a high level meeting that peace committees will be established at the village level. However, foreigners' arrival in Azad Kashmir has been made conditional upon security clearance. These decisions were taken at a high level meeting held at the Prime Minister's House on 7 January. The meeting was presided over by Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider, Prime Minister, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Murree gave the participants of the meeting a briefing on the Tararkhul bomb explosion. The participants of the meeting also offered Dua-e-Maghfrat (prayer for forgiveness of the victims) for the martyrs of the bomb explosion. The chief secretary and the inspector general of police briefed people at the meeting on the law and order situation in Azad Kashmir.

Establishing Peace Committee
The meeting decided that peace committees would be established at the village level in order to check terrorism and maintain peace. The member of Zakat and Ushur committees (collect alms, charity) will also be included in the peace committees. The deputy commissioners of all the districts have been directed to immediately form peace committees and that the report of these committees should be sent to the government.
The meeting decided that the security arrangements on all the entry points of Azad Kashmir would be further tightened. Scanners will be installed on the entry points for checking vehicles. The entry points will be monitored 24 hours. Action will be taken against all the non-registered vehicles in Azad Kashmir. The meeting decided that the police officials would be trained by the military.

Training of Police Officials
During the meeting, the GOC offered cooperation for training of the police officials and said that the police officials will be given training in using modern weapons, defusing explosive material and getting secret information. The decision was taken to further improve the security of foreign engineers including the Chinese citizens working on the construction projects. In this regard, decision was taken to seek services from private security companies also, besides the police.
All contractors working on construction projects were told to keep all the record of their laborers and share this record with the district administration and law enforcing agencies. The meeting took strict notice of open sale and purchase of explosives and weapons in Azad Kashmir, and it was decided that henceforth no shopkeeper will sell explosives and weapons without prior permission.

Helping Common People
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan said that the country is presently passing through a critical time. The enemy is moving toward Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-administered Kashmir). Attacks on the army in Azad Kashmir cannot be tolerated. The Pakistan army has been present in Azad Kashmir in order to help the common people. We should not wait for any attack by the enemy, but the enemy needs to be exposed before it attacks. Our enemy is invisible. If the enemy is visible, it can be easily faced. Thus, we have to jointly face the enemy. If any district officer is found responsible for negligence, action will be taken against him.
Meanwhile, Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that a country's development depends on its education. The current wave of terrorism has been caused by a weak education policy. The class-based educational system has divided the society. Is it Jihad to kill people in the house of the God?

Responsibility of State
The prime minister expressed these views while addressing a seminar on education organized by a non-governmental organization here yesterday. Some ministers, Jamaat-e-Islami (AJK) chief Abdul Rashid Turabi, experts on education and other political parties' leaders also addressed the seminar.
The prime minister said that the provision of basic education is a responsibility of the state. If a government fails to fulfill needs of primary school for the people, it has no right to stay in power. He said that our educational system has been on the decline. The performance of government's educational organizations is disappointing. The current suicide bombing is being carried out in the country due to a weak education policy.

Autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan

The Northern Areas have been located on the height of 2,800 to 3,000 ft above the sea level between Karakoram Range, Hindu Kush Range, and Pamir Range of mountains. In the diameter of 90 km around Gilgit, there are a dozen of mountain peaks approximately 15,000 to 20,000 high. The world's second highest peak K-2 is also located in this region. It is approximately 28,250 ft high.

The world's greatest glaciers besides Northern Arctic Ocean are found in these areas. Geographically, these areas are counted among the most sensitive locations of Pakistan. The reason is that it touches China, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan from their northern sides. Approximately 300 miles long Line of Control is located in the south.

Divided Districts
Managed by the central government, these areas cover 72,496 sq km area and its population is more than 2 million. These areas have been divided into five districts of Gilgit, Diamir, Skardu, Ghazar, and Ghanchay for administration facility and economic progress. Shina, Balti, and Broshksi are the regional languages.

Historically these areas were called Darwastan in the past and they were divided into smaller states. Every state used to have its own ruler. Therefore, nothing could be done for collective benefit. The ruler of Basin Raja Gauhar Aman killed Sikander, the ruler of Gilgit and occupied Gilgit in these circumstances. However, Sikhs occupied it in 1842. This area completely fell into the lap of Dogras. The British Government took these areas on 60-year lease in 1935.

Kashmir Freedom Movement
The local population occupied these areas during Kashmir Freedom Movement in 1947. It was 13 November 1947, when Brigadier Bargsar Singh was removed and announcement of independence was made. Governor Basin Mahbub, Governor Ponyal Raja Mohammad Anwar Khan, Mir of Hunza, and local rulers, including Walinagar announced to join Pakistan. According to Karachi Agreement reached in 1948, the Pakistani Government took administrative control of the areas.

Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-administered Kashmir) High Court delivered a verdict on 18 March 1993 and declared the Northern Areas a part of Azad Kashmir The issue reached the Supreme Court. The chief secretary government of Azad Kashmir told the Supreme Court that according to the Karachi Agreement reached on 28 April 1948, the control of the Northern Areas was handed over to the Pakistani Government.

Legitimate Part of Azad Kashmir
The government accepted the Northern Areas as legitimate part of Azad Kashmir. This acceptance is present in Pakistan-China agreement reached on 2 March 1962. Then after reconciliation between the Pakistani Government and Azad Kashmir Government, caretaker Prime Minister Moeen Qureshi, announced to delegate authorities of appointing chief executive of the level of the central minister in the Northern Areas and to give him powers of the provincial government.

The seats of the Northern Areas council were increased from 21 to 24. The judicial commission rate was upgraded to the level of a High Court. Benazir Bhutto constituted a constituent assembly through a new Legal Framework Order (LFO) in 1994. A full bench of the Supreme Court, while giving its decision in 1999 on determining constitutional status of the Northern Areas and granting of fundamental rights to these areas, directed the central government of Pakistan that the Northern Areas according to their geographical locations were quite sensitive. The borders of these areas touch China, India, Tibet, and central Asian states. Therefore, legal and administration measures should be taken within six months to determine the legal status of the area and granting of fundamental rights to people. Some changes were brought in the Northern Areas LFO after the decision of the Supreme Court and its name was changed into Northern Areas Government Act. These areas were granted local autonomy in 2007. The elections based on party system were held for the first time in these areas on 25 October 1994.

Granting Separate Identity
The people of the Northern Areas wished to have separate identity since long. The central cabinet has recently approved Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009. Under this order, the Northern Areas have been granted autonomy. According to this ordinance, the Northern Areas would be called Gilgit-Baltistan and its assembly would comprise 33 members. Besides 24 general members, six seats would be reserved for women and three for technocrats. It will have its own governor and the chief minister.

The elections for the assembly would be held in November and the central minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas would be acting governor until the elections are held. A six-member council would be set up on the pattern of Azad Kashmir and the prime minister would head the council. The president would appoint the governor. The number of judges in the higher judiciary would be five and chairman council would appoint them with the consultation of the governor. The constituent assembly would have the authority to legislate on 55 subjects.

Historical Decision
The Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has termed it a historical decision and has said that a separate chief election commissioner and auditor general would be appointed for Gilgit-Baltistan. According to the prime minister, Gilgit-Baltistan cannot be given the constitutional status of a province. As, the area has been granted full autonomy within the constitutional limits, therefore, it is not required to be brought in the Parliament. Now Gilgit-Baltistan would have no representation in the parliament. The opinions are coming out in the favor and against this new order.

Moreover, reservations are being expressed regarding Kashmir cause. The people who have reservations opine that when Pakistan brought Kashmir dispute in the United Nations in 1948, the total area of Kashmir was 86,400 sq. km., including Gilgit and Baltistan. There are two dangers in granting these areas a separate status from Kashmir. First, the Kashmiri leadership has got negative message that Pakistan has withdrawn from their [Kashmiris] position. India could not separate some areas from Kashmir in spite of its wish because of the fear that the Kashmiri people would not accept that. However, Pakistan has ignored it. Second, if some day the stage of plebiscite comes, then there would be nothing to stop India from refusing to accept those areas as a part of Kashmir.

The Future Ahead
We should call this decision a part of Pervez Musharraf's suggestion that Kashmir should be divided into five units and then a United States of Kashmir should be established. Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, said: "Gilgit-Baltistan requires administration structure and we must be given this right." To make a decision about the Northern Areas without taking the Kashmiri leadership on board is a disgrace of the Kashmiri people. It is also an undemocratic act. The importance of this decision is that governor and the chief minister will be appointed in Gilgit-Biltastan. Is it not happening in the occupied Kashmir [India-administered Kashmir]? They will be appointed by the president. We call the chief minister of occupied Kashmir a puppet. What will be they called?

Pakistan is of the position since 1947 that Kashmir is a disputed territory and it is not a part of Pakistan as well. The entire Kashmir policy revolves around this policy. Is it not an axing of this position when the President appoints the governor? If this decision was to be made, the Kashmiris, instead of the Pakistani Government, should have made it.

The people who favor this decision say that Gilgit-Baltistan is not a part of Kashmir. The locals of Gilgit-Baltistan had already joined Pakistan before the liberation of Azad Kashmir. This new ordinance was the requirement of the locals so that they should enjoy fundamental rights.