EDITORIAL : THE DAILY OUTLOOK, AFGANISTAN

              

 

Prime Minister Singh’s Visit

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is coming to Kabul today. He will meet President Karzai and discuss on bilateral issues, terrorism and the so-called end-game situation in Afghanistan. The death of Osama bin Laden and its aftermath would also be discussed.
This trip was announced long ago, but PM Singh had to postpone it due to security concerns, particularly in the wake of Osama's death. At a time when there is the talk of foreign troops' withdrawal, the Indian leader is doing Kabul Yatra to keep New Delhi as stakeholder in the end-game script.
Indian has legitimate concerns regarding terrorism, talks with insurgents and the future of Afghanistan after the mass withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014. Prime Minister Singh is coming to Kabul after 6 years. His last visit was in 2005. During this visit, besides announcing refreshed commitment of support for Afghanistan, he will also discuss the aftermath of Osama's death, the most important development of the war on terror.

India, being a victim of terrorism, has its legitimate concern on the security affairs and transfer of responsibility to Afghan National Security Forces by the US and NATO troops. Our Government must take our strategic ally and neighbor into confidence.

Since his arrival in office in the second term, President Karzai has been making efforts to reach out to militants and persuade them to join the reintegration and peace process. The US and NATO who are on the path of an end game in Afghanistan, and everyone is in hurry, are now more than ever supportive of the talks with insurgents to ensure a political settlement before they start military withdrawal. In such a process, our neighbors are concerned about the uncertainty of the future of Afghanistan.

Our leaders should assure the neighbor that Afghanistan would never again allow to be used for terrorism against other countries, including our neighbors. The rivalry-game between India and Pakistan on the issue of "influence" in Afghanistan is a purposeless phenomenon. Indian support to the rebuilding of Afghanistan should not make others concerned and giving legitimate excuse for making allies with Afghan militant groups to maintain the "strategic depth" in Afghanistan.

Releasing Prisoners for Peace?

21 prisoners have been released from Nimruz jail and 73 got their terms cut short on Tuesday May 10, 2011 under a Presidential decree. This is a process that has been going on since last two years. Hundreds of prisoners, prosecuted and punished on criminal trials, have been released under the confidence building measures of President Karzai to woo Taliban insurgents for peace talks.

But the most concerning part of this loose process of releasing prisoners is that among them hundreds of notorious Taliban were also included. There have been reports that many of those released during the last two years have joined the frontline of insurgency fighting against foreign troops. President Karzai started this process to persuade Taliban for negotiations and in hope that the insurgents will give up militancy and it would create the basis for trust to start the process of reintegration. But the results have been reverse. Many of the notorious militant leaders released have joined back the ranks of insurgency. Those released after the recommendations of Peace Jirga, have all joined back the insurgency.

If prisoners, criminals and militants who are proved having killed innocent civilians are released in such a way, then why our security forces are fighting them?
The other day, prominent opposition leader and member of the High Peace Council, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq said this process has to stop. He strongly criticized the Council which he is a member of, for releasing notorious prisoners. As it has been reported in media, Mr. Mohaqiq said the release of insurgents from jails can hugely contribute to deterioration of security situation. Mr. Mohaqiq called it against laws and constitution.

The Peace and Reconciliation Commission has released more than 8700 prisoners in last couple of years. A couple of months back, the Governor of Helmand Gulab Mangal had said a huge number of insurgents pardoned by President Karzai and released from Bagram and Pul-e-Charkhi prisons have joined back the insurgency in his province.

The process of releasing prisoners is a blind one without any strict checks by the intelligence, or surety from those released not to join the insurgency.
The Government must stop this process and make a strict check. Such a blind process of efforts to appease the militants won't persuade them to come for negotiations. Otherwise it is injustice to everyone who has committed crimes of murder, robbery and imprisoned for their terms. The process of reconciliation and peace should not sacrifice justice and accountability in this country. But alas President Karzai is ruining the whole concept of crime.

Taliban Challenge Government in Nuristan

Taliban have become stronger. All has to admit this. Taliban have presence almost everywhere in thirty four provinces of Afghanistan. Even in many provincial capitals where the government is believed to have better grip, Taliban rule at nights. The problem is more severe in remote districts. In such districts the control of Afghan security forces are believed to be limited to only a few kilometers around their bases.

Also, people living in districts that are under strong influence of Taliban consult Taliban for solving their societal and legal issues. Taliban's presence in large number of districts of Afghanistan is an open challenge to the government and the international community as it puts the success of transition process in serious doubts and increase concerns of the people.

One of the provinces that have been under doubts of falling back into the hands of Taliban is the remote province of Nuristan. There seems to be no or very little government rule in Nuristan, except in its capital, Parun. Nuristan governor has reported presence of more than 400 Taliban militants who trying to topple the provincial government. In the past too, there have serious clashes between Taliban and Afghan security forces in this province and so far the Taliban seem to have the upper hand. Although the governments reports that soon it will be launching extensive military operations to clean up the province, its previous attempts have completely failed to root out the presence of Taliban in there.

Nuristan is only one example. Same is the case with many other provinces of Afghanistan. In the last years, reportedly, thousands of Taliban members have joined the government or normal life as a result of efforts by government and other political figures but the graph of Taliban's strength has significantly inclined. What Afghans were expected ten years back was a peaceful and developing Afghanistan, what they see, is quite opposite. The international need to step forward with more effective strategies or Afghanistan will turn into more horrific place to live.