An overview-

Pakistan’s support to Taliban

.• History of Taliban

• Pakistan’s Support

• Nurturing Taliban post soviet retreat

• Growing Talibani influence on Pakistan

• Defining moments

• Present scenario

• Socio economic challenges.

History of formation of Taliban

• In the absence of any respectable job opportunity, the frustrated youths from Deobandi madrasas in Pakistan set up by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam who opted for Jihad as career were recruited by ISI to fight against Soviet army in Afghanistan.

• Received assistance from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and tacitly, The USA.

• Ruled Afghanistan from 1996 – 2001.• Overthrown by The USA• Reorganized itself , revived as strong

insurgency movement in 2004.

Pakistan’s Support

ISI initially supported Taliban to ouster Soviet occupation.

Received valuable training , supplies of arms and ammunition particularly from Inter – Services intelligence.

Recruits from madrassas in Pakistan especially ones established by Jamiatulema-e-Islam(JUI).

Nurturing Taliban post Soviet retreat

• Post soviet retreat , Taliban should have been dissolved.

• Alleged reasons behind Pakistan's support:-• A powerful tool in hands of Pakistan.• Islamist-tinged government, in Kabul, more

inclined to Pakistan and hostile to old enemy India.• Compliant regime to ensure control over Pashtun

dominated border areas.(which it fears can someday break to join kabul)

• Policy of “Strategic Depth”.• Kashmir issue.

Facts

• Taliban regime called itself Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan .

• Gained recognition only from Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

• Recent study at London School Of Economics puts forth ISI’s close links with Militants in Pakistan.

• Taliban leadership is called quetta shura….Quetta being a Pakistani city.

• Operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan in provinces around Durand Line border.

Growing Talibani influence in Pakistan

In Pakistan, says the counterterrorism expert  Brian Fishman, "There's this whole milieu of militant groups, and individuals within those groups, that have come together ideologically and decided that they want to embark on this mission that al-Qaeda has set forth for them.”

Post Taliban’s US imposed exile in 2001 , influence of warlords grew , clubbed with the frustration brewing within the population settled in the tribal belt.

Post 9/11

• Pakistan caught up in a catch 22 like situation.

• Supported USA, of which it has been a close ally.

• Launched “war on terrorism"

• Taliban backfired!

Taliban’s grip over the tribal border belt .

Work in coordination with Pakistani militant groups.

Technically Pakistan supports USA.

Internally, reports and researches claim, it’s support to Taliban continues.

By Ashley J. Tellis, a senior associate at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Most of these groups have tended to fall into one of the five distinct categories

Sectarian; Anti-Indian:Afghan Taliban:Al-Qaeda and its affiliates:The Pakistani Taliban:

Factors….

• Jihadi Mentality nurtured since long.Extensive network of extremist madrasas and

mosques, especially in the tribal- federal belt of Pakistan.

Denial of aids and facilities citizens deserve.Failure of Democracy.Governance issues.Absolute lack of opportunities.Abject poverty , ultraorthodox religious zeal,

hatred for western powers , failure of state established education system, predominantly in the tribal Pashtun belt.

Defining Moments…

Non Violent Coup- Overthrow of Nawaz Sharif led government by Pervez Musharaff .

Benazir Bhutto’s Assassination – defiance of democracy.

Swat Valley conflict - Had a tinge of civil strife .

Warlords - Baitullah Mehsud , Mullah Mohammad Omar .