It is necessary to know the secret of Taliban’s
success keeping aside the issue of assistance by neighbors. Before the present
image and meaning of Taliban, the word Talib was perceived positively. Talib is
a student of religious schools called Madrassa who after studying for certain
years will become an Islamic clergy called Mullah. In the past there was much
respect for Mullahs. However, their involvement in politics and activities other
than religion has brought a significant decrement in their fame among the people
who have a little bit of know-how. In last two decades the meaning of Talib has
completely changed. By hearing the name of Talib, images of brutality and
killings appears on one’s mind.
Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until they
were toppled in late 2001 by US-led coalition forces. They had been able to have
a firm control over 90 percent of Afghanistan. They accomplished this success in
a very short span of time by gaining the trust of a large portion of Afghan
population. 99.9 percent of Afghanistan stands to be Muslims. Before occupying
an area or fighting, the Taliban used to present the holly book of Islam, the
Quran to the people of that area and would tell them, ‘would you people fight
Quran?’ The people had no say and were bent towards Taliban allowing them to
enter their towns, districts and provinces. After finding hold over capital
Kabul, the real face of Taliban started becoming visible to people. -- Mohammad Ahsan
This article by Mohammad Ahsan, a journalist
from Afghanistan gives an insight into how Taliban won the confidence of Afghan
people and came to power ruling the country for five years before being toppled
by the US-led coalition forces in 2001. It also shows what the natives feel
about Taliban, the NATO, Pakistan and the Afghan government.--Editor
By
Mohammad Ahsan
Since
2006, the Taliban have successfully regrouped and reorganized to give a tough
time to Afghan government and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF). Now, Taliban are actively involved in creating security constraints
covering more geography of Afghanistan. Durand line regions are their epicenter
for recruiting, training and commanding their fighters. Our neighbors have been
accused of giving financial and technical assistance to Taliban. But these
countries have time and again denied such accusations saying they support peace,
reconstruction and democratic processes in Afghanistan.
Whatsoever! It is necessary to know the secret of
Taliban’s success keeping aside the issue of assistance by neighbors. Before the
present image and meaning of Taliban, the word Talib was perceived positively.
Talib is a student of religious schools called Madrassa who after studying for
certain years will become an Islamic clergy called Mullah. In the past there was
much respect for Mullahs. However, their involvement in politics and activities
other than religion has brought a significant decrement in their fame among the
people who have a little bit of know-how. In last two decades the meaning of
Talib has completely changed. By hearing the name of Talib, images of brutality
and killings appears on one’s mind.
Taliban
ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until they were toppled in late 2001 by US-led
coalition forces. They had been able to have a firm control over 90 percent of
Afghanistan. They accomplished this success in a very short span of time by
gaining the trust of a large portion of Afghan population. 99.9 percent of
Afghanistan stands to be Muslims. Before occupying an area or fighting, the
Taliban used to present the holly book of Islam, the Quran to the people of that
area and would tell them, ‘would you people fight Quran?’ The people had no say
and were bent towards Taliban allowing them to enter their towns, districts and
provinces. After finding hold over capital Kabul, the real face of Taliban
started becoming visible to people.
They were
tyrant and completely against the human rights. They acted completely against
the humanity and Islamic codes by killing tens of thousands of Afghans
especially in central parts and Northern provinces of Afghanistan. Towards the
end of nineteenth century out of fourteen million refugees around the world, 5
million were Afghans forming more than one third of all refugees. The life of
these refugees was very concerning. No one could dare to return to Afghanistan
fearing the brutality of Taliban. After the fall of Taliban, a major number of
Afghans have returned home but still millions of Afghans are living abroad.
Their condition in countries like Iran has been of great
concern.
Today the Taliban are morally strong. If they
have not been successful in overthrowing the government, for sure they have
succeeded to compel the Afghan government to invite them for talks. At this
position the rigid Taliban regime will never show readiness for talks without
complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, power sharing and
probably reimplementation of Shria Law. On their side, the people of Afghanistan
have already made views clear to government and countries backing President
Karzai’s reconciliation program. They would never allow government to compromise
on the Afghan constitution and share power with Taliban leaders. So what is the
way out? The government of Afghanistan has to make the Afghans who are on
Taliban’s side understands that they have been deceived and that the Taliban are
not their friends. Media campaigns to defend preaches by Taliban should be
intensified. The people should be motivated to help the government identify the
terrorists who are hiding among them and emphasize on making them understand
that their efforts would mean decrement in civilian deaths and improvement in
security situation. Already such schemes have been initiated by Afghan
government and NATO on radio and TV channels. This should be made sure these
messages reach the people who have been betrayed and distracted.
In order
to demoralize Taliban, they should be pressurized. The planned operation for
Kandahar must ensure success against Taliban. The NATO and Afghan forces should
have the same kind of operations in their mind for other provinces which are
influenced much by Taliban. According to Afghan Ministry of Interior, only nine
out of 364 provinces of Afghanistan are safe. Many of the districts are fully or
partially controlled by Taliban and no office of government can function in
them. If security has improved in Kabul, it should be enhanced in other
provinces too. No peace process can become successful until and unless the
momentum of Taliban is reversed. Trust of the people is vital factor to ensure
the Taliban do not come back to the areas that are cleaned up as a result of
military operations. The priority and the promise of Afghan government and NATO
to Afghans have been immediately kicking off reconstruction works after military
operations – this should be made practical. None of the Afghans want the return
of Taliban. They do not want to lose what they have achieved so far since 2001.
But failure of government to ensure security and provide justice to Afghans
would largely benefit the Taliban.
Source: Daily Outlook
Afghanistan
10:34 PM
Sultan Shahin
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