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for South and Central Asia, voters exercised their franchise in 32 Russians and Chinese simultaneously.
had met Taliban officials in of the nation’s 34 provinces. The poll Khalilzad’s current 11-day trip takes him
Doha in July for what were authorities are confident of conduct- to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United
described as talks about ing elections within this month in the Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.,
talks. southern province of Kandahar, which which is expected to change the great
The indications from faced bomb attacks killing its police game of the region.
the White House are that chief General Abdul Raziq. The incident The public posture of the Taliban
the Trump administra- took place just two days before the polls officials has been the withdrawal of
tion does not suffer from and many blame Talibans for this vio- American forces as a pre-condition for
any ideological embar- lence. The eastern province, Gazhni, too peace talks. However, indications are
rassment in dealing with has faced violence. that they would be able to work out a via
the Talibans. It may have Pakistan’s growing disillusion- media. A sizeable US presence may con-
little hesitation in having ment with the West is much more tinue even Talibans joining the govern-
a much pronounced dic- pronounced following the elevation of ment. Meanwhile, the US-bashing is in
tatorial Islamic regime in Imran Khan to the office of the prime full swing in the Pakistani media. Some
Kabul provided it serves minister. He could neither be as cun- old newspapers are being quoted that
its strategic interests in the region. An ning as Zia-ul-Haq to enjoy US funds there has been US conspiracy in the as-
op-ed document appeared on Sep- under the pretext of ousting Russians sassination of the country’s first Prime
tember 5, 2018, in the New York Times, Minister, Liaqat Ali Khan to army dicta-
written by an insider of the Trump ad- tor, General Zia’s plane crash. It is being
ministration has revealed, “In public asserted that Khan had demanded that
and in private, President Trump shows The ongoing talks USA must vacate air bases in Pakistan
a preference for autocrats and dicta- have given Talibans upon which the then US president,
tors, such as President Vladimir Putin Harry s. Truman had reportedly threat-
of Russia and North Korea’s leader, Kim a potential window ened him with dire consequences. For
Jong-un, and displays little genuine ap- for a peace deal, eliminating Khan, an assassin was hired
preciation for the ties that bind us to al- in Afghanistan. In case of the Zia’s plane
lied, like-minded nations”. The author’s backed by regional crash, Gulam Ishaq Khan, the leader of
name is not known, but this precious and global powers, the Senate, who under the then Paki-
document reveals the direction, the stani Constitution had assumed power,
Trump administration is likely to adopt comprising US, China, said that ‘’sabotage cannot be ruled out’’
in coming times. In other words, Trump in the explosion. The Pakistani leader-
administration may concede power to Russia, Pakistan, ship comprising its armed forces must
the Talibans in Afghanistan, but they India, Iran, Saudi realize that era of rhetoric is over. The
must reciprocate to the US gesture by noises against the US and India in Paki-
aligning with it. Arabia and Turkey stan are being done under the instruc-
Enthusiasm among the new genera- tions of the ruling elite.
tion of Afghanistan was quite visible. In Afghanistan needs a multilateral
spite of some violent incidents, which from Afghanistan nor take a prompt approach to wade through the com-
shook Kandhar and Ghazni, nearly forty decision to side with the US in the war plicated situation in the country. It is
lakh voters exercised their choices for against terrorism like Musharrraf fol- possible that the Taliban themselves
250 seats in Parliament. As many as lowing the collapse of the twin towers. too have realized the limitations of
2500 candidates were in the election He is only receiving sermons from the violence. The ongoing talks have given
fray. Amidst them were a large number US, “do more”. For Pakistan, the chal- them a potential window for a peace
of young men and women. A 26-year- lenge remains the same: helping the deal, backed by regional and interna-
old former journalist, Maryam Samaa US to achieve peace and stability in tional powers, comprising the US, Chi-
and news presenter of the Tolo TV, too Afghanistan while hobnobbing with na, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, Saudi
is a candidate for a parliamentary seat the Islamic zealots and militants. How- Arabia and Turkey. A steady approach
in Kabul. Samaa is being quoted in me- ever, it is becoming increasingly clear and common-sense diplomacy may
dia that she decided to run because to the new government in Pakistan prevail this time giving a lead to the US,
there are few “actual representatives that the Afghanistan conflict may not while other regional powers may help
of the people” in the current parlia- be able to generate flow of funds for in restoring peace and prosperity in this
ment, which has become a home for the Pakistani army as a continuous land of brave people.
competing “mafia networks.” During source of revenue and enjoy love from
the two-day polling, a large number of the West and quietly teaming up with letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 november 2018 57 www.Tehelka.com

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