ELEVEN YEARS AFTER 9/11 AND PAKISTAN

Almost eleven years ago when United States and its Allies invaded Afghanistan and the renowned war of “crusade” was given the term by former US President George W. Bush in 2001 for this adventure in Afghanistan. The adventure was later on renamed as “operation infinite justice”. But after receiving a lot of criticism on such terminologies from Islamic and Arab countries finally, “operation enduring freedom” had been chosen the name for this adventure in order to maintain Support from Islamic and Arab countries against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. In response to 9/11 attacks, US and allies captured Afghanistan in November 2001. Taliban government was officially ousted from power on 17 November, 2001. In December 2001, Bonn conference born puppet, The Karzai government in Afghanistan was installed. The most important element of this war commonly referred as “war against terror” was gaining international support for US for such a historical military alliance of 50 plus countries against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. It was never seen in Military history of the world before. Even the Arab world, to an extent Iran, China, Russia, and other players of power also supported US either directly or indirectly against the forces of Taliban and Al Qaeda. Pakistan’s role designated as the major Non-NATO ally. Whereas India fully supported the “noble” cause of eliminating so called terrorism from the world. Since the invasion of Afghanistan, US and its allies did everything possible and took all the essential steps to defeat Taliban but all in vein.

Interestingly, AL – Qaeda Chief Osama Bin laden was also killed in Abottabad last year. The fighting also claimed Thousands of Afghanis, Pakistanis and others, with or without any reason and still, everyday casualties is ongoing. There is no any authentic figure of these casualties since 2001, but we can estimate the numbers at least in thousands if not in millions. Almost 50 countries of the world under the ISAF command by US are in the course of war against Taliban but failed to eliminate them from Afghanistan. Taliban’ resistance against the allies has now moved on a decisive stage and the western aggressors are now running back to their homes. They have finalized agreements on their withdrawal by the end of 2014. The reality is that the US and its allies are not winning war in Afghanistan and could not defeat the Taliban militarily. It’s happening third time in the modern history that a world power is being defeated in Afghanistan, Firstly the British in 1880’S, the Soviets in 1980’S and now the Americans in 2010’s. Although the US as super power is still able to conduct military operations in Afghanistan as and where it desires, but Taliban have reached the point where they will eventually takeover in Afghanistan, whenever the western forces leave. Pakistan due to its enormous geopolitical significance can not remain in isolation. Whatever happens in Afghanistan, matters for Pakistan because it shares its longest boundary (approximately 2,640 KM) Durand line with Afghanistan. Durand line has a long history of border skirmishes between Afghanistan and British India before 1947. It is also considered as a sensitive issue Between Afghanistan and Pakistan. If fighting continues in Afghanistan after US Withdrawal like it happened in the case of Soviet Union’s withdrawal than, Pakistan is going to face similar situation which it had faced until Taliban’s rise to power in 1996. Prior to 9/11, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had their "strategic depth" in Afghanistan against Russia, India and Iran. 

Once again similar challenge and opportunity is on its way, but this time Russia, India, Iran and China are also going to chase this “strategic depth" according to their own interests. Pakistan already engaged in military operations in its territory against the Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan (TTP,) a group accused of its foreign links. A combination of foreign aggression, like Drone attacks, Air strikes and terrorist attacks by different groups can be threat to Pakistan’s survival. Pakistan’s internal situation is alarming, Balochistan, KPK, FATA, Gilgit - Baltistan, Karachi and different other parts of the country is bleeding. Nearly 1,500 people are killed alone in Karachi in just 8 months of the current year in Target killings. Similarly, KPK,Quetta and Gilgit are also portraying same pictures of law and order situation. Pakistan’s losses on the war on terror is more than US and NATO, as the Major Non- NATO ally Pakistan paid a huge price for American imperialist policies almost eleven years of its national deficit, both in economic and human consequences. The present international state system is equally of new dangers as well as new opportunities. Despite having all its internal threats and problems Pakistan, remains a key player in the endgame of Afghanistan. 2014 is not far away, Pakistan has to maintain the balance of power in the region besides playing an effective role in dealing with both the challenges and opportunities. An earlier attempt to prepare and manage an alternative multi dimensional grand strategy is needed for a multi level application. It may lead to secure Pakistan’s political, economical, and strategic objectives in the wake of Afghan Endgame.