INDIA’S NUCLEAR SAFETY by Muhammad Sa’ad

India wants to increase its nuclear power generation manifold within framework of the 123 agreement. However, India’s desire is fraught with severe hazards. India’s past record of nuclear-security is dismal.

Christopher Pine, a nuclear expert at the Natural Resources Council in Washington, stated that Indian power plants have the lowest capacity factor in the world and one of the poorest safety records. A UN report, published in 1993, confirmed Pine’s fears. The report stated that occupational-exposure hazards in India, calculated in proportion to the amount of electricity generated, were six to eight times more than the world average. A subsequent report of Indian Parliamentary corroborated that there has been 147 mishaps or safety related incidents, including 28 of acute nature. Dr A. Gopalakrishnan, former Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, willy-nilly admitted in his report to the Atomic Energy Agency in 1996, following observations: (a) Indian nuclear facilities have had 130 instances of safety related concerns including 95 that require urgent action. (b) India is likely to face serious nuclear accident in the not too distant future. (c) The degree of automation and cross checks on safety in old nuclear power plants is very minimal. The poor safety standards in nuclear plants have been a subject of litigation also. However, even India’s supreme court (on 6 January 2004) wilted under government’ s pressure and rejected a public-interest petition seeking disclosure of contents of Atomic Energy Regulation Board report. disallowed opening the lid from the Pandora box of lapses. The basic contention of the petition was that nuclear installations and atomic power stations across the country were endangering the lives of people living in the vicinity. Dr A Gopalakrishnan, former Chairman of India’s AERB was also a petitioner. He had contended that serious nuclear accidents could take place at Narora Nuclear Power Plant, Uttar Pradesh and Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant, Karnataka. The Supreme Court ruled that Government had every right to maintain secrecy about nuclear installations and deny public information about these in the interest of national security. It would be pertinent to quote a few failures of nuclear safety. The Cirus reactor at Trombay, capable of producing 14 kg weapon-grade plutonium, developed a radiation leak in 1991. As a result, soil water and vegetation in the vicinity was contaminated. Dhruva, a reactor at Trombay, capable of producing 30 kg weapon grade plutonium, suffered from design problems that caused fuel failures. Mumbai port became radioactive because of nuclear effluents discharged by plutonium -reprocessing facilities. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor of 40 MW at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, built with French assistance, was rated `not safe’, and discarded. Similar reactors, like Super Phoenix of France and Monju of Japan, were also discarded because of safety hazards. Twenty-six workers were injured because of radiation leakage on 14 Mar 1980. Subsequently, a high dosage (740 times higher than the normal level) of iodine was found in seawater around this plant in 1989. The radioactive waste from the plant contaminated the water supply of nearly 3000 villagers living nearby. Rajasthan Atomic Power Plants, Rawatbhata (Kota) were shut down several times during 1980 to 1994 due to cracks in its coolant channels, or water leakage. Madras Atomic Power Plants, Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) suffered numerous shutdowns because of radiation leakages, injurious to workers and marine life. Let us quote a few more incidents. Since early 1990s, Madras Atomic Power Reactors have suffered frequent breakdown owing to defective flow of uranium. On March 1993, fire broke out in the Narora Atomic Power Plant. On 25 April 2003, heavy water leaked from one of the coolant channels. The resulting radiation affected the environment. The radiation leakages from tritium- contaminated heavy water from coolant channels of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station have affected not only the workers but also the population in vicinity. A power reactors experienced a near disastrous fire accident in 1991. The design of Kaiga Atomic Power Plants proved to be defective. Containment dome of a unit collapsed in 1994, 24 hours prior to commissioning of the plant. In view of poor nuclear safety-standards in India, India’s quest for augmenting its nuclear energy by establishing a sprawling network of nuclear reactors could be hazardous for the people and the environment. The performance of the existing reactors amply reflects that several plants suffered from flaws in designs, besides slipshod operation. Being the next-door neigbour, poor nuclear safety in India is a source of concern for it. The world community and the nuclear watchdogs, also, should prevent export of nuclear fuel to India ostensibly for nuclear-power generation.

Post-operation scenario by Muhammad Jamil

The humanitarian crisis in Malakand Division is not much different from epic scale tragedy of October earthquake so far as matter of displaced people is concerned.

Therefore, the government should move on war footing for the rehabilitation of displaced persons to win their hearts and minds. The military operation was inevitable in Swat because extremists and militants were not willing to wean away from their anti-people and anti-state activities, as they believed in righteousness of their cause and success in their mission. In FATA and NWFP there are many shades of Taliban. There are also groups supported and funded by foreign agencies having their own agenda. In February 2009, the Awami National Party had entered into a peace accord with Sufi Muhammad with the objective to restore peace in Swat by demobilisation of Taliban militia and restoration of the state’s writ to the beleaguered valley. But none was anywhere in sight. Fazlullah’s brigands had publicly vowed neither to disarm nor to demobilise. Visibly, the militants consolidated their position in Swat and began advancing to Buner, Lower Swat and Shangla to entrench, and link up with local Taliban and enlist new recruits to hold on to these regions too. When the US wanted from Pakistan to be ruthless with the militants it may have its axe to grind, or may have some genuine grievances that militants from Pakistan side enter Afghanistan to create problems for US and NATO forces. It is, however, impossible to completely stop their movements because of the porous border, though the frequency can be reduced by taking stringent measures. Many people had raised eyebrows over the peace agreement on the pretext that it was result of building up pressure by arm wielding Taliban on the government. So far the residents of Swat are concerned with the enforcement of Nizam-i-Adl, their old demand for restoring system of courts during Wali-i-Swat was met. Agreement to this effect was signed by Sufi Muhammad, who on his part had assured the government that he would use his influence over Maulana Fazlullah of Tehrik-i-Taliban and Taliban would lay down arms after the announcement of Nizam-i-Adl. It, however, transpired that Fazlullah had other motives and he prevailed upon Sufi Muhammad who insisted that he would himself appoint Qazis and Darul Qaza, monitor the entire system, and the government would have no say in the matters in Malakand Division. Unfortunately, the Taliban have proved their skeptics right who presaged that they would not stop at Swat or for that matter in Malakand Division. It so happened that after the announcement of Nizam-i-Adl, they started moving from Swat to Dir and Buner terrorising the people and enlisting more recruits and manpower to run a parallel government. Meanwhile, Maulana Sufi Muhammad in a public meeting used derogatory remarks against the Constitution, Supreme and High Courts, describing democracy and its institutions as nizam-i-kufr. By doing so, he lost the support of a large section of the people who had earlier supported or sympathised with his cause. Anyway, it was duty of the followers of Sufi Muhammad and Fazlullah to ensure the safety of the people, but on the contrary Fazlullah’ thugs continued to play havoc in Dir, Buner and Shangla. In this backdrop, the security forces had no choice but to take action to stem their tide. The Taliban claim that they are fighting for the cause of Islam but the question is how a Muslim could kill innocent Muslim brethren on one pretext or another, and behead members of the security forces who are defenders of the frontiers of the country and the people? They risk their lives and lay down their lives so that their compatriots could live in peace. On Monday, the Taliban had taken control of Mingora and were trying to move into other areas in clear violation of the Swat peace agreement. According to latest report, security forces pounded militants’ strongholds with gunship helicopters and artillery in Swat also. Gunship helicopters targeted militants’ positions in Shahdhari area of tehsil Kabal, Bamakhela, Khawazakhela in Matta and Malamjabba mountains. On Thursday, Taliban militants blocked roads with rocks and trees preventing terrified civilians from fleeing the valley as the army stepped up a ground and air assault on the guerrillas. More than 500,000 Pakistanis driven out by fighting in other regions of the northwest are already living in makeshift camps or with relatives, adding a growing humanitarian crisis to the country’s daunting security, economic and political problems. With Taliban militants roaming the streets of Mingora, Swat’s main town, and troops launching artillery and air strikes on militant targets from helicopter, many residents remain indoors with trepidation and fear. But more and more internally displaced persons are leaving their houses and the figure is estimated to be one million. The government has already arranged camps for the people who are leaving their abodes to avert collateral damage but it needs a massive effort of civil society, non-governmental organisations and political parties to help those people in this hour of need. In view of colossal human suffering, the international community should come forward to help those who are in camps. Meanwhile, the security forces should try to clear the roads to help residents of Swat to vacate the area, so that operation could be taken to its logical conclusion by flushing the militants once for all. In the past, peace agreements were signed but to no avail because after military operation and quelling violence, the army went to the barracks without finishing the job because there were many voices criticising the security forces for killing their own people. But this time around, the government, parliamentarians, political parties and people at large are supportive of the military action and wish to see that armed forces complete the job by eliminating the terrorists from the area. Indeed, when the people see the army succeeding in its mission, they will bear the inconveniences for its campaign to go ahead with all the speed and full vigour. The government must set up well-maintained and tightly-secured camps in safer places near their homes and post officials to guide them to those encampments. The government should bear in mind that challenge of rehabilitation of refugees also provide opportunity to help the displaced persons, who have all the time on their minds as to what will happen to their houses and belongings? They should be assured that they will never be left alone and would be looked after in the camps and they will get all the help in rebuilding their houses after the militants are flushed out of the area. To express solidarity with the displaced persons, the NGOs, civil society organisations and political parties should send their delegations to visit the refugee camps. Right thinking ulema should also visit those camps to tell the people that what militants are doing is against the teachings of Islam and inspire them to never bow down to the imposters who raise the banner of Islam to denigrate it through their barbaric methods, bullying, killing and maiming their Muslim brethren. Armed with the trust and confidence, these people in the camps would prove a great asset and in future they will stand up and fight the enemies of Pakistan and Islam. The media should also play its role by giving all out support to the armed forces and discouraging the so-called intellectuals and religious zealots, who try to prove that action should not have been taken against the militants.

Eyeing Pak-Afghan Transit Trade by Momin Iftikhar

The signing of a Pak-Afghan MoU, on 6 May 2009, on the sidelines of the tri-lateral discussions involving Pakistan, Afghanistan and US has been viewed as a significant development in reshaping the contours of an existing transit trade agreement, signed in 1965 to provide transit to Afghan trade through Pakistan.

The MoU binds the two governments to finalize a trade agreement by the end of the year; the existing arrangements having been overtaken by the exigencies of the changing geo-strategic environments in the Region. It was however the doctored jubilation in the Indian media that led one to believe that perhaps the MoU had provided a much awaited breakthrough to India in securing a transit trade route through Pakistan to Afghanistan. It was the clarification from the Pakistan Foreign Office that put a check to such vested speculations. “As far as our engagement with India in the context of transit route for Afghanistan is concerned, it is a separate issue all together. It will be discussed with India bilaterally and has nothing to do with MoU,” said Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit. The spokesman clarified the Nation’s stance by saying that progress in ties with New Delhi was not possible without resolution of all disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir. Sensing an opportunity to push a foot in the door, India has redoubled its efforts in securing the Wagah-Khyber transit route to Afghanistan – a lingering ambition ever since independence - notwithstanding the fact that Pakistan and Afghanistan are already engaged in an exercise to revise the agreement as an ongoing process and signing of the MoU is nothing out of the blue. The aspect was adequately underscored by Mr. Basit. “This is not something new and is going on because Afghanistan at one stage proposed to us that we need to revise this agreement. So this is a continuation of the process,” he clarified. With the emergence of Central Asian Republics the dependence of Afghanistan and Pakistan on both ways transit facilities through their respective homelands has acquired greater importance that is mutually intertwined in the manner of a conjoined twin. Afghanistan is dependent on Pakistan for providing a major and shortest access to a seaport. In its turn Afghanistan, due to its strategic location has the potential to provide Pakistan transit access to the Central Asian States and vice versa. Presently the transit through Pakistan is governed by the 1965 Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) which specifies the port, route, transport modes and customs transit procedures. But the status quo already stands shaken by the winds of change. Over the last forty three years the economic, infrastructural and geo-political conditions in the Region have transformed to say the least. Consequently the two countries are already engaged in renegotiating ATTA, not only with regard to arranging a transit arrangement for Afghanistan to reach the Arabian Sea but also define the terms for Pakistan to secure routes to the Central Asian Republics through Afghanistan. The MoU signed in Washington is a step in formalizing the ongoing process; a work in progress. India, without sharing a border with Afghanistan is obsessed with gaining a transit route to Afghanistan and thence on to the Central Asian States. The transit route through Pakistan has remained an enduring dream; but obviously this has not dissuaded her from exploring other options. A major manifestation of her ambitions was on display when President Karzai and the Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 220 KM link-road Delaram (Nimroz Province Afghanistan) – Zaranj (on Iranian border); a lion’s share of the $1.1 billion construction costs having been footed by India . This road effectively links Afghanistan’s arterial Herat-Kabul-Kandahar ring road with the Iranian port of Chahbahar, thus opening up Afghanistan and the Central Asian States to a transit route from Iran. It is worth noting that India has already concluded transit agreements with Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and the Chahbahar link up affected in Afghanistan will help her speed up her flow of men and materials in the Region. The opening up of an alternative route has only marginally depreciated the importance of the transit route through Pakistan. The Iranian route covers a distance of more than 3500 Km, whereas the Torkhum Route involves 2700 KM and given the expenses involved, the commercial viability of the Iranian route will remain at a marked handicap. Aware of the inherent disadvantages and making a determined effort to offset the same, the Iranian Government has allowed Afghan exporters a 90% discount on port fees, a 50% discount on warehouse charges and permitting Afghan vehicles full transit rights on the Iranian road system. Notwithstanding the acquisition of an alternative transit route into Afghanistan, the Indian obsession still remains fixated in finding a transit corridor to Afghanistan through Pakistani territory. Such an Indian desire, incidentally, is not restricted to Pakistan alone. Finding such a transit swath through Bangladesh to gain access to its restive North Eastern States has remained a persistent Indian ambition – something that constituted a strategic goal of India’s seeking the dismemberment of East Pakistan and a desire that has largely remained unfulfilled so far. In Nepal she doesn’t need a corridor since through a highly manipulative treaty of friendship and cooperation the Indo-Nepal border is open and is extensively used to keep the Government in Nepal on its knees and always looking over its shoulders to evade Indian coercion. For the Indian Government to think that it can acquire the right of transit trade to Afghanistan passing through Pakistan,is an idea which doesn’t stand much chance, given the state of bilateral relations obtaining at the moment. India’s presence in Afghanistan has already become a major source of instability and subversion in FATA, NWFP Province and Baluchistan. She is flooding these areas with arms and funds for the forces of disruption that are buffeting Pakistan with an unprecedented fury. The Composite Dialogue Process, which has an investment of five years of sustained negotiations, has all but come to a stand still. The perils of opening up Wagah – Khyber transit route to India for access into Afghanistan, under the circumstances, is fraught with unbearable costs. Much needs to be done before the Indian ambitions of a transit route to Afghanistan through Pakistan’s hinterland can translate into reality.

Hammer and anvil action in Swat by Sultan M Hali

The government finally took the decision to act against the miscreants in Swat with all its might. After resorting to negotiations with the Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi leader Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the provincial government of NWFP proposed the imposition of Nizam-e-Adl in Swat.
The Parliament endorsed it and the historical resolution was to bring peace to the troubled paradise on earth, the erstwhile scenic tourist resort. Despite acting in earnest in an effort to respond to the apparent desire of the people for seeking speedy justice, in continuation of the Nizam-e-Adl, the Dar-ul-Qaza or Qazi courts were also established. Unfortunately, the miscreants were never serious in their desire for peace or speedy justice or Islam or any other system to benefit the people. They had their own agenda. Instead of laying down arms, as stipulated in the peace accord, they swiftly moved to occupy Buner, when asked to vacate, they recruited youngsters from every house per force and spread into other areas, looting, plundering and behaving like marauding hordes of barbarians. They decried democracy, female education and even the constitution of Pakistan. The criminal nature of the miscreants, and the mala-fide and mischievous game plan they had devised was finally construed by the government, it also became clear that certain external forces were at play, who are funding, training and supporting the logistics of the miscreants. How else would they have the sophisticated communication infrastructure, unending supply of funds and the proficiency to match one of the finest armies in the world? Moin Ansari in his Op-Ed Indian RAW funded Swat terrorists: $650 million to destabilise Pakistan quotes a story carried by The Nation: "Three arrested members of a militants' gang especially deputed by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan have disclosed that RAW has been funding suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan and that the Indian agency has funnelled Rs 680 million through its links with the Afghan secret agency. The gang of three persons have brazenly admitted that they belong to the group of persons who had been deputed to 'destabilise democratic Pakistan' with the sole purpose of 'enforcement of Shariah' in the country. Operators of an intelligence agency, working beyond the call of their duty, came into contact with a source ready for a tip-off against a reward and led to the arrest of Khurram Ishtiaq, Ghulam Mustafa and Shamim. The persons had been working under Qari Hussain, second-in-command to Baitullah Mehsud. All the three had been arrested while they were on the prowl for a target. The militants had been arrested 'red-handed' as they possessed complete suicide kits, including two jackets and 70kg of explosives and detonators. The accused were hardened militants and took a lot of time to break in and make confessions. They revealed that Qari Hussain had been working to help three adjutants Farukh Usman alias Shahjee, Tayyab alias Baba; Ustad, the trainer to destabilise democratic government." The hardest hit are the peace loving people of Swat. Prior to the incursion by the miscreants, Swat had the highest literacy rate for women in the area. Its people were warm-hearted, broadminded and hospitable. Tourism being the primary source of earning, Swatis were an enlightened race. All this changed with the take over of the miscreants. The people became hostage to the terror groups. Their muted sighs of pain and anguish could not rise above the crescendo and din of the terrorists' gunfire. It is now becoming evident through information made available that each household was forced to provide young recruits for joining the miscreants. Many were drugged, doped or demonised into becoming suicide bombers. With the collapse of the law and order, the local population was forced to submit to the demands of the terror group. Even now the local population is being used as human shields, the territory has been mined by the miscreants to prevent them from leaving. The only recourse open to the local population is to flee on foot. This effort is fraught with peril because of the curfew imposed, the aerial bombardment and above all the fear of being caught in the open when curfew breaks are over. The Taliban are loath to let the locals escape to freedom, because they are their bargaining chip. Thus the local population is caught between the hammer of the military action and the anvil of the miscreants. Once they manage to escape, survival is not an assurance. The refugee camps hurriedly set-up to house the "IDPs" or Internally Displaced Persons are bursting at the seams and lack basic amenities. The crops ready to be harvested have been abandoned, the academic session, which had already been disrupted by the miscreants means a loss of many years. Their businesses abandoned, their houses in ruin and family members missing, the IDPs are in dire straits. The human tragedy, which is unfolding before us has many dimensions. Many religious and political parties are being critical of the use of force. This speaks of double standards. It is imperative that the operation be supported wholeheartedly to purge the region of the miscreants. Earlier efforts to eliminate the miscreants did not succeed because there were outcries against the use of force and the security agencies had to be withdrawn without completing the task. This time if the government means business, it should support the armed forces, more importantly, the people have to be wholehearted in championing the cause. The plight of the refugees requires international support. The IDPs must be sheltered, fed, and aided to overcome the trauma of the last few years of suppression, terror and fear. If the IDPs are not supported in their moment of need, they can be exploited by circumstances or the miscreants to turn to terror. The world owes it to them to save them from the hammer and anvil of misery and death.

Indian roadmap of extended strategic neighbourhood by Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan

From Alexander the Great to Mahmud Ghaznavi and Zaheer ud Din Baber to Ahmed Shah Abdali, all conquerers and assailants from Europe and Central Asia had moved to India through Afghanistan.
Therefore, in the ensuing history, the nature of relationship between Afghanistan and Indian subcontinent emerged as an inevitable fastening. During the nineteenth century, Afghanistan experienced the prominent ‘Great Game’, a mêlée between the British India and the rapidly expanding Tsarist Russian Empire. Although direct Indian involvement in Afghanistan ceased momentarily since that time, however, due to common religious, ethnic, cultural and linguistic affiliations, the destinies of Afghanistan and North-West India remained bound together. After the partition of the subcontinent it was expected that Pakistan due to geographical contiguity, common religion, ethnic and linguistic ties would be nearer to Afghanistan as compared to India. But unfortunately, this did not happen. Rather, the issue of Durand Line and implicit role of India assisted by former Soviet Union (USSR) shoddily affected our relations to a considerable level. From then on, the diplomatic, trade, transit and bilateral relations remained at lowest ebb in most of the time during our common neighbourly history. With the connivance of India, then Afghanistan administration under late king Zahir Shah, created many complications for the newly born state of Pakistan. In the subsequent years, India, Afghanistan and USSR did not let pass any chance in destabilizing and weakening Pakistan by promoting nationalistic and anti Pakistan sentiments in Balochistan and some parts of NWFP through their infamous intelligence network within Pakistani territory. India adopted the policy of mysterious silence and covert support to USSR, once it invaded Afghanistan in 1979. This decision benefited her in the subsequent years, once it received a huge sum of military hardware from the former Communist superpower. However, on the other hand it deprived itself of maintaining meaningful relations with the mujahedin, as a fleeting hiatus, which kept it away from the Geneva negotiations, arranged under United Nations for the resolution of Afghan problem in late 1980s. Being a non party to these negotiations, India made an effort at the level of the Non-Aligned Movement to resolve the Afghan problem but remained abortive. It was assumed at that time that the future role of India in Afghanistan would be insignificant. But this did not happen, and immediately after the exit of Russia from Afghanistan, India resumed its lost role with the recommencement of colossal shoring up of the puppet Najibullah regime in a big way. However, this time India was more selective and finicky in determining its potential ally in the future Afghan politics, once it chosen the non-Pashtuns; Uzbeks, Tajiks and Ismailis in the north and the Shia faction in the central Afghanistan as its latent ally. Thus it would be very pertinent to say that India was the first country who implanted the seeds of ethnicity, sectarianism and factionalism in the traditional harmonious Afghan society. During this period, India provided all technical and financial support to some of the prominent heads of Afghan factions like Rabbani and Masoud in order to establish an anti-Pakistan government in Kabul. The collapse of Soviet Union once again sent alarming indicators into the corridors of Indian foreign office and policy makers, especially its intelligence setup (RAW). Indians were worried that now it would be difficult to extricate Pakistan from Afghanistan’s internal affairs and more so they were foreseeing an Islamic bloc emerging on the horizon in shape of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs). Since long India has been keen to maintain strong relations with Afghanistan, to sideline Pakistan, and subsequently to deny her a secure backyard having access to Central Asian Republics (CARs). The fall of Taliban and assumption of power by the Northern Alliance (NA) provided her a much awaited opportunity to re-establish its lost foothold in Afghanistan. Thus started helping Afghan government through assistance programmes and achieved significant doorway in its civil and military hierarchy. Indeed Afghanistan is not the limit of Indian ambitions; she is looking beyond Afghanistan towards CARs and its cold war ally, the resurgent Russian Federation. The worldly and unbiased nature of CARs supplemented with immense richness in natural resources compelled India to have strong ties with these nations and the shortest route available to her was through Afghanistan. Since their independence, Indian relations with the newly emerged states have come a long way. Indian officials have made conscious efforts to strengthen and diversify relations with CARs and refer Central Asia as their ‘extended strategic neighbourhood’. The vacuum left by soviets and US was filled by warring factions and power struggle continued till the birth of Taliban. Taliban being Pashtun dominated were considered as Pakistan friendly who could provide it the strategic depth against India with subsequent facilitation for influence in the energy rich CARs. This situation was not at all acceptable to India as she feared that Pakistan would use the Afghan soil and Jihadi groups in Kashmir, thus picked up the pace to support the non Pashtuns in Afghanistan in all spheres as a counter measures to Pakistan. A vast majority of the Northern Alliance leaders and youth were taken to India for their brainwashing and training on military aspects. Besides the families and kids of the majority of the Northern Alliance leadership were and are still being provided with free of cost living and education in the Indian universities and other related institutions. Despite generous support from Iran, India and Russia, Northern Alliance (NA) could not make any real headway against the Taliban, until the occurrence of the unfortunate incident of 9/11. The events brought a dramatic change in the region thus sealing the fate of Taliban rule and paved way for an interim administration to take over. This interim government had a Pashtun President but the cabinet was dominated by the NA, openly hostile towards Pakistan and gracious with India. Since the establishment of Interim Administration in November 2001, Indian active participation in all important international efforts aimed at political reconciliation and economic rebuilding of Afghanistan. The last visit to Kabul by an Indian prime minister was in 1976 when Indira Gandhi visited Afghanistan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became the first Indian head of government to visit Afghanistan in 29 years. Since then, the exchanges of high level visits including ministers and prime ministers from both sides are normal phenomena. Besides the economic dimensions of the situation, India has started a more coercive role and taking the advantage of the present environment is covertly fuelling the internal security situation in FATA and Balochistan. It has support of its previous and new ally in promoting the insurgency and anti state elements in Balochistan and FATA through its capillary type intelligence network. The main aim is to make Pakistan economically crippled, bled from inside and to prove it as a failed state so that US and West can highjack its strategic assets through a pre-planned strategy. The ongoing insurgency being fueled by India and its allies has stained the soft image of Pakistan and undermined our credibility as a peaceful nation. Militancy in the name of Islam is further denting the image of Islam and Pakistan. India is vigorously pursuing her economic objectives and developmental strategy in Afghanistan while hurting interests of Pakistan. Besides mellowing down its image as enemy, she is using our western border by supporting militants to create internal instability. India has provided technical, material and financial assistance to Iran in the construction of its Chabahar deep sea port, the shortest possible route now available to India for an access to CARs. Indian manoeuvres in the region have far-reaching implications for Pakistan whereby we could be confronted with a situation in which India would succeed in its bid to outflank us and undermine our newly constructed deep sea Gwadar port. Incorporated into Tsarist Russia later Communist USSR, in late 19th/ early 20th century, the iron curtain could not allow the access of neighbouring/regional countries including India to approach CARs. Instantaneously upon their independence in 1991, India realized the importance of CARs and established diplomatic relations with them. The Indian strategists were of the opinion that it was necessary to prevent Pakistan from developing an anti-India coalition with the CARs. In this regard, India strove to form a common front with Russia and Iran against Pakistan and used the bogey of so-called Pakistan sponsored Islamic militants to frighten the leadership of CARs to maintain distance from Pakistan and to keep ties with India. Indian adherence to democracy and so-called secularism were the other contributing factors in this regard. Social, diplomatic, security and trade relations are the major Indian goals in relations with the CARs. Through the idea of ‘extended strategic neighbourhood,’ New Delhi attached so much importance to the newly independent region that it immediately opened embassies in all capitals of CARs by early 1992. A number of pacts and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed or are under consideration between both countries ranging from fields of energy, science/technologies and oil/gas sectors including bilateral mechanisms to exchange information on terrorism and counter terrorism training. Turkmenistan and India signed MoU for cooperation in the oil and gas sectors, creating an opening for Indian companies to enter the nation’s hydrocarbon market. It had a military base in Tajikistan and presence of its intelligence network all over the CARs. Afghanistan is a country where now Indians are feeling much comfortable as compared to the past. They have benefited a lot since the ouster of Taliban, achieved significant influence in the government and are in a position to secure vital foothold in Central Asia. While on the other hand Pakistan’s role is diminishing with every passing day. The distressing level of internal instability is getting worse and resultantly our secure western borders are becoming more and more vulnerable. However, geographic, socio-economic, religious and ethnic compulsions still favour us, provided we have the will to convert challenges into opportunities. Pakistan still remains closest route to Afghanistan and CARs through sea and enjoys an obvious advantage over any other country in the regional geo-politics.

This is no solution by Muhammad Jamil

Pentagon has replaced the top American commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, less than a year after he took over.

This change in military leadership is reflective of frustration on the part of US leadership and of course indication of gravity of the situation. He is to be replaced by Lt General Stanley, a former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command who recently ran all special operations in Iraq. But this is no solution and there is no guarantee that general who could produce somewhat better results in Iraq due to different reasons will be successful in Afghanistan, which is described as graveyard of the ruined dreams of the adventurers and invaders. The decision, announced by Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reflects a belief that the war in Afghanistan has grown so complex that it needs a commander drawn from the military’s unconventional warfare branch. As regards much-touted new strategy, there seems to be nothing new, as President Obama continues with the policy of pressuring Pakistan to do more, and a bigger and important role to India in Afghanistan. But this can prove a sure recipe for disaster and no amount of forces in Afghanistan or change of army commander will do the trick. If Pakistan’s security concerns are not addressed, no cajoling, threats or sanctions against Pakistan could force it to ignore its eastern borders to produce fruitful results for America. After 9/11, the UNSC through a resolution had allowed the US to punish Afghanistan and to take out Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda leaders. But the US had drawn flak from the people throughout the world for having invaded Iraq on the false pretexts and concocted evidence about weapons of mass destruction, import of uranium from Nigeria and Saddam’s contacts with al Qaeda. Later, all these charges proved to be wrong. But people had also condemned attack on Afghanistan on the grounds that those involved in 9/11 events were Arab nationals and none of them was Afghan national. Anyhow, the right course for Obama administration is not ‘staying the course’ but let the people of Iraq and Afghanistan look for solution to their problems. President Obama seems to be well versed in history and other disciplines, and he must be aware that people of Afghanistan could not be tamed by the British in the past. In the recent history, former Soviet Union had bitter experience. And perhaps America could lose its status of sole super power if it insists on having a permanent foothold in Afghanistan, as it happened in case of former Soviet Union. Anyhow, President Obama should reinvent American ideals of human rights and right of self-determination of nations and let people of other countries decide the way they want to live, so long as they do not impose their will on others. It is hoped that President Obama would not like to be counted with the likes of former president George W Bush and Harry Truman etc.

Inside Balochistan Crises by Zaresh Khan

Since the inception of Pakistan in 1947 the province of Balochistan has been the hot bed of crisis emanating mostly from the qualms of disgruntled baloch feudal lords. The issue of Balochistan is not a new one rather an age old movement which has never gained the support of general public on lines as mass movements going on through out the world since days immemorial. In fact from the days of yore till today upheavals and tranquility in Balochistan have largely been dependent upon the caprice and whims of self-centered baloch chieftains and feudal lords. A probe into history makes it obvious that as far as the baloch leadership was being bestowed upon by the ruling elite, never was heard some one chanting slogans in favor of the misery stricken and poverty ridden masses. On the contrary the history of Balochistan is replete with many a number of upheavals and rebellions as soon as a privilege of any formerly blessed feudal lord was infringed. The general tribesmen kept as slaves had to ascend mountains in obedience of the independence call heralded from the castle of the feudal lord and had to fight till the feudal lord was given his privileges back.

On 26 February 1948, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his letter, addressed Mir Ahmed yar khan, khan of Kalat, to annex kalat with Pakistan and assured him that his status of khan would be retained. On Quaid's honest assurance Ahmed Yar khan announced annexation of kalat with Pakistan but before long in march 1948 his brother prince karim seeing his governorship of Makran in peril revolted against the government of Pakistan and in sheer disobedience to his own brother Ahmed yar khan, compelled his poor followers to take arms against the government and himself took refuge in Sarlet area of Afghanistan. Prince karim revolted for his seat and status on the backing of soviet union and Afghan government but, as said in preceding lines, as soon prince sensed things going against his future pomp and grandeur, he accepted the terms of government and concluded a peace truce to the misery of his followers.

In 1961 Mari tribesmen led by Sher Muhammad Marri and in Jalawan, Mengal tribsmen led by sardar Attaullah Mengal declared guerilla warfare with the government. Reason being the initiative of government to disarm the general masses and initiate educational and developmental schemes in their respective areas. The government program of disarming the general tribesmen and taking measures for their education and development were resented by the feudal lords as they saw their survival and pomp in their masses being downtrodden and illiterate. The resistant movement occupied areas from kohlo to Baila and main support was obtained from Afghanistan a station of anti Pakistan players. The movement died its death when General Yahya khan restored the status of disgruntled Nawabs in 1969 and bestowed upon them the privilege they were fighting for.

Much from the history, the recent insurgency in Balochistan is part of the same chain which starts with the demands of Nawabs and ends with their fulfillment regardless of the sufferings of the general Baloch masses who are in fact peace loving and industrious. There is no denying the fact that the stand of Baloch nationalists on the gas royalty issue is genuine but the death of Baloch veteran Nawab Akbar Bugti on 26 august 2006 brings forth some other crucial factors of the on going Baloch insurgency. Till the time the gas royalty was going to the pocket of Nawab and jobs in Sui Gas plant were in the hands of Nawabs, no voice was raised for the suffering of the poor Baloch masses. As soon as Nawab Akbar Bugti was deprived of the undue privileges of decorating mountains for himself with the amount gained in lieu of gas royalty, the hapless Baloch masses were once again betrayed on the call of fight for the rights of baloch. After the death of Nawab his grand son Brahamdagh is fighting a war of his survival in Dera Bugti where hostile regional players are cashing upon their own evil aims in Pakistan. The situation in Dera Bugti revolves around the main claimants of seat for future Nawab which apparently is called a war for the rights of the baloch. Brahamdagh Bugti is presently in Afghanistan where he is funded enormously by Indian Raw and Afghan RAAM to continue terrorist acts in Balochistan. Presently the BRA network of Brahamdagh is working on two lines. Firstly, in service to the Indian players stationed in Afghanistan, the activists of Brahamdagh undertake terrorist activities in Balochistan where their main target is the Punjabi settled population because the target is much easier and poses nil resistance. Secondly, to gain control of the Dera Bugti, where the followers of Talal Bugti and other pro government population is targeted. The Indian diplomacy and intelligence have been keen since 2002 on finding ways to drive a wedge between Washington and Islamabad and Brahamdagh proved to be the right person for the right job. What is beyond doubt is that Mr. Solecki was kidnapped by terrorists trained and financed by Brahamdagh Bugti. Brahamdagh and his handlers knew that the three captors of Solecki were in direct contact with Pakistani security officials and could compromise the security of the terrorist activity and the routes of secret funding from across the border and the terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan. But what they did not expect was that the kidnapping would backfire and blow the cover of the terrorists and their links all the way inside Afghanistan. Mounting evidence indicates that Brahamdagh or his handlers in Afghanistan ordered the elimination of the three Baloch politicians. India’s diplomatic actions in this regard are well known but the British and the American media have been silent on growing evidence of Indian covert activities in Afghanistan under an American nod.

Thus it becomes clear that none is fighting for the rights and miserable condition of the poor baloch masses contrarily the age old demand of tribal supremacy and countless powers and rights are the cause for which the Baloch Nawabs very often resort to guns at the expense of general population. However, the game doesn’t end, in this whole affair an ample ground is open and intelligently utilized by Indian RAW, Afghanistan RAAM and American CIA for treading on aims of destabilizing Pakistan. The baloch miscreants are enormously paid by India and British MI6 to materialize their long standing design of destabilizing Pakistan. Despite the heavy funding, training and support of hostile countries baloch miscreant groups have never succeeded in realizing the evil aims of India. Reason being that except some segments of general public hijacked, the remaining are indifferent to the struggle of Nawabs for their own vested interests. Each tribe has its own armed group to extract maximum support, funds from hostile regional players and to maintain tribal supremacy at the expense of general masses who in the age of modern science and technology drink from puddles and hardly get their both ends meet. For instance, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) represents Marri tribe, Baloch Republican Army (BRA) represents Bugtis, Laskar-e-Balochistan is the armed group of Mengal tribe and Baloch Liberation front (BLF) represents many tribes.

Analyzed from every angle insurgency in Balochistan has always been for the vested interests of selected few feudal lords and chieftains supported by Indian RAW and safe heavens provided by pro Indian governments. The general masses are kept in dark. Education and every kind of development is strongly opposed by local Nawabs because with development and mass awareness their control will die its death as it happened in Pushton belt of Balochistan where education and development is rampant.

Need is to apprise the peace loving and law abiding baloch masses of their fundamental rights of liberty and freedom. Freedom from the crafty and cruel clutches of land lords, feudal lords and chieftains who are anti state elements and are acting on the whims of those who have always been hostile to the existence of Pakistan. The province of Balochistan and all its resources belong to the law abiding Pakistani baloch citizens. Through education and provision of open fields of healthy competition they can excel like any other developed nation. Through land reform, extensive development projects and government sponsored free education only; the fate of baloch people can be changed.