How to stop Al-Qaida in Afghanistan

Al-Qaida in general and Ayman Al Zawahiri in particular have had a free reign in the region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have found sympathizers and safe houses to allude the US-Pakistani law enforcement agents.

Al-Qaida's presence along Durand Line (the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan) has resulted in Talibanization of the region, thus making it even harder to chase down Al-Qaida.

Pakistan has deployed 70,000 troops to fish out Al-Qaida fugitive. So far we have seen killing or capture of few 2nd and third rank Qaida members. However tier-one leaders are still on the run.

Pakistan has fought pitched battles with the Qaida and their tribal sympathizers. The fight has resulted in the loss of innocent life and the loss of many brave soldiers. It is time now to review Pakistan's approach in the tribal region.

There are a couple of issues that Pakistani authorities must consider at this stage.

1. The source of Taliban appeal is the presence of US and NATO forces along the Afghan side of the Durand line.

2. It is too easy for the Talibans to move across the Durand line.

If Pakistani army with the help of US and NATO could address the two issues, Taliban movement will lose its steam. Pakistan should take charge to address these issues, keeping in mind that Tribal area known as FATA must be uplifted from it's 200 years old "wild-wild-West" status. There are several things that Pakistani military can do to address this.

1. Declare FATA area as provincial administration and deploy regular police instead of using Pak military or Frontier Corps. This will create a buffer between the military and the local people. FATA should become a separate province or be given under the control of Peshawar. In either case, this 200 years old system of political agencies must be abolished.

2. Create a 20 miles wide no-man land belt on each side of the Duran line. This 40 mile wide strip should be free of any civilian presence whether residential or business. People who may lose their property should be duly compensated with money, land or both.

3. Afghanistan is the real battleground of the Taliban resistance, so Pakistan should move major chunk of 70,000 troops from Wazirastan to Afghan side of the Durand line. Karazai shouldn't resist the idea as it will bring stability to his government. NATO and US will be too happy to receive badly needed reinforcements from battle hardened and well disciplined pro-West Pakistani troops.

4. Pakistan Air Force should declare the 40 mile wide no-man land strip along Durand line as a practice range for their bombing and strafing runs. This will keep this area free of smugglers and Talibans. It will also provide a source of fast ground support missions on the Afghan side where Pakistani troops may come under attack.


Taliban problem needs innovative solutions. Pakistan badly needs to stopping murder and mayhem in Wazirastan. By following suggestions in this essay, Wazirastan will become free of Talibans.

Pakistan must help Solve Afghan refugee problem

Afghan refugees have suffered tremendously, and we ought to treat them kindly. Talibanic terrorists are making life hell in Afghanistan, so pushing refugees there is not going to create good situation for anybody.

Refugees are being used as an escape goat for many problems Pakistan. However the issues such as "poor infrastructure", or "obsolete tax system" have true blue Pakistani roots.

Here are my suggestions.

1. Afghans born in Pakistan should be given Pakistani citizenship and should be accepted as Pakistani brothers and sisters.

2. Afghans who wish to go back, should be given means to sustain their lives back home. We must help them monetarily (they won't need much to begin with), and militarily. This is time to help cleanup Afghan side so these refugees have a safe place.

3. Redeploy all Pakistani troops from Wazirastan to hot spots in Afghanistan. If we add 70,000 troops to the coalition forces, Afghanistan will be able to function very quickly, thus providing safe living.

Respect for Durand Line: A must for peace in Afghanistan

Durand line, the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the line that establishes limits on travel, the land of Pushtoons, the fierce, the tribals, and you name it.

Afghans have a history of making noise about this line. They have put maps online that show Pushtoonistan only in Pakistani territroy, while Afghanistan doesn't lose even a square inch.

http://www.afghanistans.com/Information/History/Durandline.htm

shows a map that chops up Pakistan into half. How do the Afghani nationalist come up with these cockeyed schemes is beyond me. Look at the map yourself. I am not kidding. While Afghanistan is majority Pashtoons, they don't get to live in the Afghan Jannat called Pashtoonistan. Why are Afghanis so "Bakheel" (stingy) that they are pushing the idea and yet unwilling to give an inch of their own territory?

Afghans should agree on border demarcation and setting up of border posts. This will send a clear signals to all those tribals who want to stir trouble in Afghanistan.

It is time that Afghans respect the Durand line. Otherwise we may have to set up a real Pushtoonistan.

Why? Because Afghan Pushtoons can't be subjugated by minority Hazaras, Tajiks, and Uzbeks.

Pushtoons want to live in free land, well we'll give them the freedom land.

The map of the "Real Pushtoonistan" is in the works. The first draft is posted here. Your comments are highly appreciated.