Posts from — August 2009

By Nasser Yousaf in The Dawn, July 22
The list of most-wanted persons carrying head money of millions of rupees could not have been more telling. Consisting of titles like ‘Qari,’ ‘Hafiz,’ ‘Mullah,’ ‘Maulana,’ ‘Mufti,’ the list reads like an ecclesiastical hierarchical map.
It was the NWFP government that took the initiative by coming up with the list with a maximum head money of Rs5m for the insurgent-in-chief of Swat. It would not do, the Government of Pakistan subsequently decreed, as it enhanced the scalp price manifold to match the magnitude of the gruesome cruelty unleashed by those included in the list. But with titles one holier than the other it is the spiritual aspect of the list that overweighs its enticing materialist value and thus merits greater attention.
There is little doubt that the ongoing spate of unrest in Pakhtunkhwa carries distinguishing and indeed ineffaceable marks of religious makings. But this is an argument that the apologists pooh-pooh as they are observed tirelessly trying to portray the operation against the militants as an international conspiracy against the Pakhtuns. And who really are those apologists who are taking recourse to crass analogies and outdated references to paint this relentless reign of terror let loose by the terrorists as having a great deal to do with Pakhtun renaissance? Such bizarre arguments only help strengthen conjectures.
The militants fighting throughout the length and breadth of the northwest are not doing so for the fun of it. Their level of resistance indicates the hard work that has, over the years, gone into the building of war machinery worthy of envy. Of course, such a piece of machinery would have malfunctioned without efficient ‘mouths’ oiling it day in and day out. If such ‘mouths’ are to be believed then Pakhtun nationalism has indeed undergone a metamorphosis and like Kafka’s gigantic pest is now stuck to the wall, refusing to fade until it dies of hunger and disease. But how can it die if so many hands and mouths are feeding and nourishing it?
Kafka’s Metamorphosis is not an easy story to read as it pitilessly suffocates its readers as does the current chapter in Pakhtun history. Gregor, Kafka’s lead character, was an able-bodied workingman until he saw himself transformed into a gigantic pest. Gregor ultimately perishes of hunger after his family abandons him to his fate. Here an uncanny analogy can be drawn with our present predicament, with some of our men of beautiful brains and bodies having metamorphosed into lingering pests and groomed to survive.
The apologists writing in the country’s mainstream newspapers and talking ad nauseum in numerous talk shows are doing a great disservice to the Pakhtuns by calling the ongoing operation against the militants anti-Pakhtun. They are the last people whom the Pakhtuns would want to be represented by. Pakhtuns are not lunatic warriors seized with fighting and settling all the world’s dirty wars. But where then are the original Pakhtun nationalists and why don’t they stand up? Must they not take the entire blame for refusing to come out of their leaderless little world of platitudes?
Pakhtun nationalism as envisioned, preached and practised by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan is dying and quite ignominiously at that. Unwittingly perhaps, the death pangs of nationalism started with the burial of the red-shirt old patriarch in the then Soviet-occupied Afghanistan.
At that time, some among us saw the event as the flowering of the assiduously planted tree when a tumultuous crowd accompanying the cortege violated the currency of the Durand Line with impunity. But that was not so; Ghaffar Khan’s shabbily constructed tomb in the heart of Jalalabad wore a picture of utter apathy no sooner had the last shovel of earth been thrown on it.
It was then bandied about that the great Khan had willed to be buried in the free land of Afghanistan as opposed to his native village in Charsadda. The veracity of the will was never seriously doubted despite the fact that back home it would deprive the nationalists of a solid platform whereon they could religiously renew their resolve for the pursuance of their objectives. With due respect to his soul and to the lack of foresight of those of his heirs who flaunted the will, its implementation has turned out to be as miscalculated as the nationalists’ love affair with the guilty Soviet occupiers.
Just when three million displaced Pakhtuns and Afghans were looking for solace and support, the nationalists handed them on a platter to a ravenous clergy looking for a constituency. Thus while the zealots feasted on war-induced resources and ploughed deeper into the camps and ranks of the distraught refugees, the nationalists busied themselves with empty sloganeering. It was perhaps precisely at that time in history when religion-based nationalism was mid-wifed; it has now metamorphosed into its most perverted form.
Ghaffar Khan’s nationalism was the most innocuous form of nationalism the world had ever seen. The non-violent struggle waged by the father formed the core theme of his eldest son Ghani Khan’s poetry, as the latter would sing:
‘Jang la dey Mansoor rawan thop o na tufang lari’ or ‘Mansoor (Bacha Khan) is marching to war sans armoury.’
But much water, and that too thick with the blood of innocent Pakhtuns, has since flowed under the Attock bridge.
One vividly recalls how Ghaffar’s politician son Wali Khan would command the respect of the Punjabi intelligentsia and liberals whenever he got an opportunity to speak to them. All that wealth of respect seems to have been buried with the great Khans as one now hears quite unsavoury stuff from the folks across the bridge in the halls and restaurants and on the pavements.
Nationalism identified with ‘Pakhtu’ and ‘Pukhtana’ was a wonderful equation; the one being presently forced down our throats is bitter. One wonders if non-violent Pakhtun nationalism will ever be revived. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/09-state-of-pakhtun-nationalism-szh-03

THE killing by the Balochistan Republican Army of its remaining 10 policeman captives may well reflect that organization’s mindless brutality, but it also represents the failure of the government, which well knows the solution to the problem, but has not implemented it, or even moved towards its implementation. The BRA has killed the remainder of its police hostages left from the initial bloodletting, in which it killed eight of the 18 policemen it had kidnapped on July 30, along with 11 labourers, from Chhattar in Naseerabad district. In a vain attempt to stop that incident, four members of a pursuing police party, including a DSP, were killed. However, the labourers were all released by the kidnappers.
The government, in the person of the President, Asif Zardari, who is also co-Chairman of the PPP, had already apologized to the Baloch for past wrongs. The Balochistanis not only shared in the PPP’s mandate in the Centre, but also installed the PPP in the province itself, with its own Chief Minister for the first time since 1977. President Zardari had set up a committee to prepare for an All-Parties Conference on the province. Recently, in his Sharm Al-Sheikh meeting with Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Yousuf Reza Gilani had the issue of Balochistan included in the final communiqué, which caused Dr Singh a lot of trouble in the Indian Parliament.
Apart from the genuine grievances of the Baloch, which include a continuing refusal by the central government to implement truly the provincial autonomy given by the Constitution, there are two other potent factors. First, so many years of military rule, under which the Baloch suffered more than others. Second, the accusation made to Dr Singh: that India (and Afghanistan) were supplying the Baloch money. Baloch nationalists should remember that they only do themselves a disservice by taking Indian help, and the only path for them is dialogue. The government should also remember that its only path out of the situation is that same dialogue. http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Editorials/12-Aug-2009/Deaths-in-Balochistan

Washington (PTI): Describing India as its “strong” ally, the United States has said both New Delhi and Islamabad should move beyond the stereotype rivalry against each other and concentrate on how to fight terrorism, poverty and other challenges being faced by the people in the region.
“We have a very strong and growing partnership with India. We have a partnership with Pakistan that we’re trying to improve on. We need to get away from these views of if we are a supporter or we have a good relationship with India, that impacts the relationship with Pakistan,” State Department Deputy spokesman Robert Wood said at his daily press briefing.
Mr. Wood was responding to questions about growing anxiety among the people of Pakistan because of the strengthening relationship between India and the US.
“I understand that that is how people in the region see it, but I think we really need to move away from this type of view in the 21st century,” Wood said, adding that the people of the region have some very difficult challenges to face.
“We are doing what we can to try to support them as they confront these challenges, not only from terrorism but from poverty, illiteracy, drought, disease,” he said.
The US would continue to work with India, Pakistan and other countries to deal with these challenges.
“But we have to move away from these old stereotypes and work with one another in the 21st century to defeat these common enemies that we do face, as I said – drought, disease, hunger, illiteracy, poverty, terrorism,” Mr. Wood said. www.thehindu.com/holnus/000200908120325.htm

By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Aug 11: The Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Dawood, announced on Tuesday formation of a council for ‘independent Balochistan’ and rejected any reconciliation with the government of Pakistan without the mediation of European Union and United Nations.
Addressing reporters from London on telephone, he said the council would ensure the creation of an independent state of Balochistan.
The Khan said Baloch separatist forces of Pakistan and Iran would have representation in the council.
He said the names of members of the council would be announced later.
He, however, said that Nawabzada Baramdagh Bugti will be a member of the council, adding that he was in touch with him and other forces which stood for an independent Balochistan.
Replying to a question, he said that recommendations adopted at the Kalat Jirga had not been shelved.
He said that a lot of progress had since been made and the issue of Balochistan had been raised at the international level. He said that some people had disassociated themselves from the recommendations.
He said he was enjoying the support of ‘friendly’ and ‘like-minded’ countries who had promised all help and cooperation.
The Khan of Kalat said the Baloch had observed their Independence Day on Tuesday because the British rulers had accepted independent and autonomous status of the Kalat state on August 11, 1947. They later announced independence of Pakistan and India on August 14 and 15.
He said the Qauid-i-Azam had negotiated Kalat’s accession to Pakistan but it was rejected by the Kalat state assembly. He said Kalat was merged into Pakistan in March 1948 and in reaction Prince Agha Abdul Karim mounted a revolt.
The Khan said the Baloch had lost trust in Pakistani rulers. However, he said that if European Union and United Nations mediated then negotiations could be held with the government of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Khuzdar Engineering University was closed on Tuesday for an indefinite period.
According to sources, a group of students belonging to the Baloch Students Organisation-Azad entered the university campus and tried to hoist the flag of ‘independent Balochistan’ on the administration building.
Law-enforcement personnel did not allow them to remove the national flag and arrested a number of students.
After the incident, the administration announced the closure of the university. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/khan-of-kalat-ups-the-ante-289Khan of Kalat ups the ante: The Dawn, Aug 12

When the first Baloch insurgency broke out in 1948 to resist the illegal and forceful annexation of the Baloch-populated autonomous Kalat state with Pakistan, Manmohan Singh – today Indian prime minister – was barely a teenager while his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani had not even been born to witness the rebellion’s magnitude. Yet, last month, both leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh discussed for the first time the indefatigable Baloch insurgency.

Pakistan has been blaming India for causing trouble in its resource-rich province. Gilani broached the issue with India at a time disgruntled Baloch youth have removed the Pakistani flag from schools and colleges and stopped playing the national anthem. Punjabi officers refuse to serve in Balochistan, fearing they would be target-killed. Islamabad attributes the unrest to ‘foreign involvement’. India is not the first to be blamed. Similar allegations were levelled in the past against the now defunct Soviet Union, Afghanistan and Iraq to discredit the indigenous movement for retaining a distinct Baloch identity. Indian assistance sounds ridiculous given that the Baloch do not share a border, common language, religion or history with India. Hardly has 1 per cent of Balochs have visited India.

The idea of Pakistan never attracted the secular Baloch. Ghose Baksh Bizanjo, a Baloch leader, said in 1947: “It is not necessary that by virtue of our being Muslims we should lose our freedom… If the mere fact that we are Muslims requires us to join Pakistan, then Afghanistan and Iran… should also amalgamate with Pakistan.”

Over the years, Islamabad has applied a multi-pronged approach to deal with Balochista Apart from military operations launched in 1948, 1958, 1962, 1973 and 2002 to quash the rebellion, Islamabad adopted other tactics. First, it kept the province economically backward by denying it good infrastructure, mainly in education and health. Natural gas was discovered in Balochistan in 1951 and supplied to Punjab’s industrial units. The Balochs hardly benefit from their own gas.

Second, Balochs, whom the state views as traitors, were denied representation in the army, foreign services, federal departments, profitable corporations, Pakistan International Airlines, customs, railways and other key institutions. Third, Balochistan has historically been remote-controlled from Islamabad. A Pakistan army corps commander, often a Punjabi or a Pathan, and the inspector general of the Frontier Corps, a federal paramilitary force with less than 2 per cent Baloch representation, exert more power than the province’s elected chief minister. The intelligence agencies devise election plans and decide who has to come to the provincial parliament and who should be ousted.

Fourth, Islamabad has created a state of terror inside Balochistan. Hundreds of check posts have been established to harass people and restrict their movement. Forces and tanks are stationed even on campuses of universities. Fifth, national and international media are denied access to conflict zones in Balochistan. Several foreign journalists were beaten up supposedly by intelligence agencies personnel or deported when they endeavoured to report the actual situation. Sixth, international human rights organisations are denied access to trace the whereabouts of some 5,000 ‘missing persons’. Pakistan is also in a state of denial about the existence of around 2,00,000 internally displaced persons in Balochistan.

Seventh, Islamabad has been engaged in systematic target killing of key Baloch democratic leaders. Ex-governor and chief minister of Balochistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti, 79, became a victim once he demanded Baloch rights. Balach Marri, a Balochistan Assembly member, was killed to undermine the movement. In April this year, three other prominent leaders were whisked away by security forces and subsequently killed.

Eighth, Pakistan has pitted radical Taliban against secular and democratic Baloch forces. The state is brazenly funding thousands of religious schools across the province with the help of Arab countries to promote religious radicalisation. Elements supportive of Taliban were covertly helped by state institutions to contest and win general elections. They now enjoy sizeable representation in the Balochistan Assembly to legislate against the nationalists and secular forces.

Ninth, Islamabad has been using sophisticated American weapons, provided to crush Taliban, against the Baloch people. This has provided breathing space to Taliban hidden in Quetta and weeded out progressive elements. Finally, Afghan refugees are being patronised to create a demographic imbalance in the Baloch-dominated province.

Baloch leaders are critical of many democratic countries for not doing ‘enough’ to safeguard a democratic, secular Baloch people. I asked Bramdagh Bugti, a Baloch commander, about the India link. He laughed and said, “Would our people live amid such miserable conditions if we enjoyed support from India? We are an oppressed people… seeking help from India, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union to come for our rescue.”

The Baloch movement is rapidly trickling down from tribal chiefs to educated middle-class youth aggressively propagating their cause on Facebook and YouTube. This generation would understandably welcome foreign assistance but will not give up even if denied help from countries like India. The Baloch insist their struggle was not interrupted even at times when India and Pakistan enjoyed cordial relations.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4878167,prtpage-1.cms

LAHORE, Aug 5: Indian interference is being alleged in Balochistan to justify the military operation, says Jamhoori Watan Party President Shahzain Bugti.

Speaking as chief guest at a seminar entitled “Threats to National Security and Our Responsibilities” here on Wednesday, Bugti said the government should prove its allegations of Indian interference in Balochistan if it had any evidence. “We are accused of being pro-India. We would have voted for inclusion of Balochistan in India in 1947 if we had been in favour of India,” he said.

Bugti, the grandson of late chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti, said the federal government always wronged Balochistan. “Baloch people were asked to come down from mountains in 1960 and hanged. Nawab Akbar Bugti was assassinated and Gwadar was snatched from Balochistan.” Bugti said allegations of target killing of Punjabis were being levelled to justify the presence of Frontier Constabulary in Balochistan.

He said Baloch people did not hate Punjabis. He said his party was criticised for demanding royalty for gas. He however said that his party demanded the royalty for the Balochistan government and not for itself.

He said the gas emanating from Balochistan was not available in most parts of the province and its rates were higher there than Punjab and Sindh.

Awami National Party Secretary General Ehsan Wyne said he spent three months with the late Bugti in Kot Lakhpat Jail, but never heard him talking against Pakistan.

He said there had been eight military operations in Balochistan so far and the last one was still in progress. He said people revolted as they did in East Pakistan whenever they were deprived of their rights.

He said people’s rights would have to be restored for trial of Pervez Musharraf. He said Punjab was abused for the evils of its bureaucracy. Pakistan Democratic Party Secretary General Nawaz Gondal said most problems being faced by the country had been created by dictators, who destroyed all national institutions to prolong their rules.

He said the country needed an institution to prevent loot and plunder. He said Musharraf should be tried for the assassination of the late Bugti.

He said democracy had not been restored in the country despite the general election, adding that the incumbent government was civil, but not democratic.

Former federal law minister SM Masood said the country was facing problems because of various institutions’ attempts to usurp each other’s powers. He said the tug of war destabilised the country, while foreign pressures were also creating problems. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/unrest-in-balochistan-india-being-blamed-to-justify-military-action-689

Dr Wahid Baloch is President of the Baloch Society of North America and is considered close to many senior leaders in Pakistan and Iran. He is a medical professional living in Florida . He spoke to Nagesh Bhushan of the Rediff.com on the recent Indo-Pak joint statement in Egypt and what it means for the Baloch fight for freedom.

Question:The recent Indo-Pak joint statement in Egypt raised considerable ruckus in India for including restive province of Pakistan, Balochistan. Do you think that Baloch issue is internationalised by this?

Answer: Depends on what you mean by internationalised? If you think internationalising means people around the world came to know about what is going on inside Balochistan, then yes, but if you mean recognition of Baloch struggle for freedom by United Nations or world leaders, then no. At this point, neither the UN nor the world leaders have recognised Balochistan as an illegally occupied land which the Baloch people are demanding.

Question: In Pakistan some groups questioned not including Kashmir in the joint statement. Why do you think Kashmir was excluded?

Answer: The Kashmir issue is created by Pakistan. There is no Kashmir issue. Unlike Balochistan, which is an occupied land, Kashmir was and is an integral part of India. Kashmiri separatist religious movements only exists and is based in Pakistani occupied Kashmir, where the Inter Services Intelligence and military men train Kashmiri terrorists and send them to India to kill innocent people.

Question: Is India aiding the Baloch struggle?

Answer: No, not yet. We have not seen any help coming from India or any other country so for, but we ask all the nations including India to help us and support our just cause for freedom.

Question: In the past Pakistan made similar allegations that they had proof of Indian involvement in the Baloch region but didn’t produce any evidence. Why do you think Pakistan included Balochistan in joint statement now?

Answer: Pakistan is trying to divert the attention of Indian government and world community from its involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks and other Taliban sponsored activities. They also want to use this ‘threats in Balochistan’ and ‘Indian involvement’ as a pretext to pave the way to intensify their ongoing military operation in Balochistan and to justify their inhuman barbaric actions against the Baloch people.

Question: If not India then who is arming the Baloch militants?

Answer: Nobody is arming the Baloch people. These are baseless allegations of Pakistan to use as pretext to continue their aggression against the defenseless Baloch people. Arms are available in open market, in fact everywhere in Pakistan. If you have the money, you can buy a tank, even in Islamabad, Lahore or in Karachi. Corrupt Pakistani military men will bring it to you at your doorstep. You don’t have to go get it. They will sell you anything for money.

Question: Is there any rationale in Pakistan’s allegations about India arming Baloch militant groups while seriously engaging in negotiation with Iran and Pakistan on the gas pipeline?

Answer: Pakistan’s creation was the biggest blunder of history, it is an artificial country. How can you expect an irrational Pakistan to talk and act with some sense of rationale?
As for as the gas pipeline is concerned, the Baloch people cannot guarantee its safe passage through Balochistan, because the final beneficiary of this pipeline is the Pakistani military and the Iranian regime — not the people of Balochistan. We are in the midst of our freedom struggle against Pakistan, therefore it is advisable for India to exercise caution before investing in this project.

Question: Do you support the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline?

Answer: I will support anything that benefits the Baloch people and Balochistan. But as I said we cannot guarantee safe passage now. We do not support Pakistan to continue loot and plunder our resources and treat us as one of their colonies.

Question: The Iranian Baloch group Jundullah uses religion to fight against the Shia state. Pakistani-based groups are considered secular and never use religion in their struggle against Pakistan. Do you support acts of Jundullah?

Answer: No. Jundullah is a terrorist organisation. I strongly denounce Jundullah and its activities. Jundullah is being funded by Pakistani ISI to counter the secular nationalist Baloch movement. Jundullah must stop its radical activities which are detrimental to the Baloch cause. Jundullah must be replaced by a Baloch nationalist secular movement in Iranian-occupied Balochistan.

http://news.rediff.com/interview/2009/aug/04/inter-india-is-not-helping-the-baloch-freedom-struggle.htm

QUETTA, July 31: Nationalist groups would take strong action if Frontier Corps personnel continued to ridicule the Baloch dress code and insult Baloch elders and youths for wearing certain clothes, chief of the National Party Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said here on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, he said that Baloch people were being humiliated for wearing a different type of Shalwar-Kameez which was a serious matter.
He urged provincial government to take action against FC men who were victimising Baloch youths.
He accused the FC of turning Quetta into a war zone and said that the Baloch people faced the wrath of FC personnel whenever any incident occurred even in the city’s suburbs. He said that they had hoped that things would improve with the PPP-led government, but the situation had worsened in Balochistan. Instead of ending military operation and freeing political workers, the government had intensified punitive actions, he added.
He condemned target killings and said it was the responsibility of the government and law-enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits. Dr Malik said that although he was not prepared to to mediate between the government and militants, he would fully back talks to resolve the Balochistan issue. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/fc-warned-against-mocking-baloch-dresses-189

Senators concerned over FC ‘excesses’ against Baloch youth
The Daily Times, July 29, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Senators from Balochistan on Tuesday expressed concern over what they claimed “excesses” of the Frontier Constabulary against Baloch youth and demanded the government take notice of the situation.
Those who spoke on the issue on points of order included senators from the treasury and opposition. They said the already fragile law and order situation in the province would worsen if the government did not take corrective measures.
Senator Abdul Malik Baloch, who was the first to raise the issue, said that the Frontier Constabulary was picking up Baloch youth without registering cases against them and keeping them in custody.
“If this practice continues, the situation will deteriorate,” the senator warned.
Demands: Senator Ismail Buledi asked the government to immediately halt the operation by the Frontier Constabulary in Balochistan and produce the people still missing.
Federal Minister Israrullah Zehri went further, accusing government agencies of protecting the people involved in target killing instead of punishing them. Hasil Bezinjo said that on one side the government was talking of resolving problems of the people of Balochistan, while on the other, the Frontier Constabulary was “committing excesses against them, barging into their houses and picking up innocent people”.
Referring to a recent statement by Interior Minister Rehman Malik about the Baloch, Bezinjo said “There should be a difference between the policies of former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik. “The government should move forward and try to find solutions to the problems instead of having them suppressed by the Frontier Constabulary,” he said. /www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\07\29\story_29-7-2009_pg7_4

By Anwar Iqbal in The Dawn, July 31
WASHINGTON, July 30: Pakistan raised the issue of India’s involvement in Balochistan with the US, but provided no credible evidence to support their claim, says America’s special envoy Richard Holbrooke.

“I would be misleading, if I said it didn’t come up,” said Mr Holbrooke when asked if Pakistan brought up this issue during his visit to the country last week.

Responding to the second part of the question — “if Pakistan also gave credible evidence to support its claim” — Mr Holbrooke said: “The narrow answer to your question is no.”

Pakistan raised this issue with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well at a bilateral meeting in Egypt on July 16.

On Wednesday, Mr Singh defended the inclusion of Balochistan in an India-Pakistan joint statement issued after the meeting but said he received no dossier from his Pakistani counterpart on India’s alleged involvement.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Pakistan linked its action against the Lashkar-e-Taiba with New Delhi ending its covert operations in Balochistan.

The report said that in conversations with the Obama administration, Pakistan’s army chief indicated that India needed to stop meddling in Balochistan in return for Pakistan’s actions against the Lashkar.

At his briefing in Washington on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Holbrooke also refused to discuss Occupied Kashmir, saying that it was outside his area of responsibility.

“That issue is outside my area of ability to discuss,” he said when asked to what extent the resolution of the Kashmir issue would help him in achieving the US goal to dismantle, disrupt and defeat the Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Mr Holbrooke cast doubt on the success of Pakistan’s Swat valley offensive, saying that it was unclear if the military had defeated the Taliban in the region or simply driven them underground.

“We don’t know exactly to what extent the Pakistani army dispersed or destroyed the enemy,” he told his first media briefing after his visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan last week. “The test of this operation is, of course, when the refugees return. Can they go home? Are they safe? And we’re just going to have to wait and see.”

Mr Holbrooke said that during his trip he wanted to visit Swat as well but the Pakistani military advised him not to do so now.

“I asked to go to Swat or Buner knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to go to Mingora, but I wanted to establish the limits of what was possible here,” he said.

“And the military said they really would prefer we didn’t do it now. And look, ‘prefer’ means ‘no’. So we didn’t.”

Mr Holbrooke, however, said the US was in constant touch with Pakistan to help it deal with any spill-over effect of stepped-up operations by international forces on the Afghan side.

He said that top US military commanders in Afghanistan often visited Pakistan to discuss the issue. “So the military-to-military discussions are helping to harmonise the situation” in the area, he said.

The purpose of these consultations, he said, was to alert Islamabad of any movement of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

Mr Holbrooke urged the international community to provide sustained economic support to Pakistan so that it could deal with the problem of the Swat refugees and the economic and energy crises.

“Pakistan is critically important to the rest of the world” and could not be ignored.

Secondly, he said, what happened in Pakistan affected Afghanistan.

Mr Holbrooke also praised the Pakistani leadership for shifting some of its forces stationed along its eastern border with India to the western frontier bordering Afghanistan to fight out Taliban and Al Qaeda.

“The Pakistanis have moved a very large number of troops from their eastern border to their western border. That’s a historically significant redeployment,” he saidhttp://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/proof-of-indian-meddling-in-balochistan-not-provided-us-179