Will there be more In Line of Fire
Akhtar Jamal

President General Pervez Musharraf’s recently released book “In Line of Fire” has not only perturbed several at home but has also upset India and the United States.
The Book has revealed how United States imposed its war on terror on Pakistan and left Pakistan with no choice then to “cooperate” with it following threat. Senior observers believe that Pakistani President was very calculated and cautious in his revelation about United States war on terror and Pakistan’s role.
“It is really courageous to disclose the secrets behind Pakistan’s willingness to join America’s war on terror and tell the world that Islamabad had no choice then to support the Americans”, noted a seasoned observer in Islamabad. Observers were surprised to note that President Musharraf who is considered a strong ally by the United States had to reveal bitter experience with the Americans.
Observers say that threats and pressures can never force people or country to accept the strategy of ‘might is right’. Some experts even doubt the authenticity of official motives behind occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. Many experts say that Pakistan lost more than 800 security officials in its war on terror and put its economy and political stability at stake only to be blamed for “doing less” by the Western states. Even Pakistan’s bold move to arrest more than seven hundred Al Qaeda men was used as a progpaganda against Pakistan.
Experts say that what embarrased Pakistani officials most was the fact that the United States Forces released several dozens of men, (once wanted by the U.S.) after being captured and handed over to the Americans. One of the most dangerous terrorist who was released from Guantanamo Bay by the U.S. played an open role in the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers during 2004. The ordeal resulted in the death of one Chinese but the terrorist could not be arrested as yet.
Several other Taliban men wanted by the U.S. and subsequently handed over to them were also released only to embarrass Pakistan and its security officials. Well-known Taliban ambassador to Islamabad, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef also released by the Americans after being taken into custody from Pakistan claimed in an interview that “Pakistan had stabbed in the back”. He claimed that “when Pakistani officials were handing me over to the Americans they started beating me and Pakistanis did nothing to stop it”. According to observers the dual policy and strategy of the United States has puzzled many in Pakistan and Islamic world which witnessed American support for Israel in its month-old bombings and killing raids on Lebanon while Washington continued to press the world for moves against “Islamic terrorism” and so-called “Islamic fascism”.
President Musharraf’s Book also suggested that had Pakistan not advanced in Kargil, the Indian forces were slowly moving ahead in the region and was even planning to attack the area. Indians too behind nuclear scandal
The book has also disclosed the possibility of Indian involvement in the so-called “nuclear network” that involved some top Pakistani scientists and link men. President Pervez Musharraf’s book suggested that several Indians involved in nuclear business that later implicated Dr. A. Q. Khan “vanished” from UAE.
The Book also suggested that India's uranium enrichment technology "could be a copy" of Pakistani centrifuge design. The Book says that in nuclear business there were many 'freelancers' from, Dubai, Holland, Switzerland, and European states who pursuaded their own business independently, but 'ironically the network based in Dubai had employed several Indians, some of whom have since vanished.' Some Pakistani sources had earlier claimed that during 2001-2003 certain “foreign agents” posing as Iranian and Libyan “government officials” had lured some Pakistanis to share nuclear blueprints and components. The sources believed that the conspiracy had dual prupose: to gain knownlowdge of Pakistan’s exclusive centrifuge sytems and to implicate the country in N-profliferation scandal. The Book also revealed that “Top Classified” papers relating to Pakistan’s nuclear program had landed in the hands of American CIA. “These documents had all the signatures”. India on Monday reacted quickly the Book and asserted its "entire nuclear technology has been developed indigenously."
Intelligence sources are not ruling out that possibility after a recent disclosure that Indian scientists had begun working on a Pakistani-style centrigufe system since 2003. President Musharraf also strongly denied in his book that Pakistan Army or any of the past governments of Pakistan was ever involved or had any knowledge of proliferation activities.
Rumors grip Pakistan following “accidental breakdown” Last Sunday Pakistan was in the grip of wide-spread rumor claiming change of government and over health condition of President Pervez Musharraf. Even some top officials and high-ups were reluctant to clarify the situation on September 24th afternoon when a sudden “accidental power breakdown” switched off almost everything.
Urgent measures had to be taken at important locations and sensitive offices and buildings and telephonic contacts clarified the situation within few hours. The fact that even some high government officials were unwilling to clairfiy the situation led to the promotion of rumors and gossip among politicians and top business circle.
The complete shut down of Pakistan even for few hours seriously bothered many citizens and experts about vulnerability of our energy resources and links. It also showed how shaky and volatile are some politicians while how rival politicians are waiting to fish in the troubled water.
Experts are posing the following questions to be answered:
—Is Pakistan’s energy link so vulnerable that whole country can be hit if one certain areas or targets are hit?
—Are we prepared for any such emergency or urgency that may be called for?
—Has Pakistan’s strategists put “all eggs in one basket” and can be hit in one go by the enemies.
—Is our communication link also vulnerable to any such “accidental” or otherwise threats
—Can we sure our power and communication links from enemies of our nuclear program and assets?
It is know to the experts that sensitive organizations have their own system and power generation plants but a nation-wide power or communication breakdown can more disasterous and catastrophic if such incidents are allowed to be repeated. President Gen. Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have taken strong notice of the move and order a full inquiry and investigation. It is hoped that full report of the inquiry would be published soon and not sent again into the cold storage.

Afghan soldiers defecting to Taliban
Shahid Saleem Afzal

The U.S. declared war against the Al Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan following the 9/11 incident. Cruise missiles and bombs were littered all over the suspected strongholds of the militants. B-52 bombers carpet bombed the famous Tora Bora Mountains to flush out the militants from the caves. Much of U.S. action remained limited to aerial attacks. The ground offensive was conducted with the assistance of the Northern Alliance (NA). The NA confronted the Taliban and Al Qaeda on ground with U.S. air support while the American troops remained in the background. The strategy paid well as it drastically limited American casualties.
Following the Bonn Agreement, the Afghan National Army (ANA) was raised to counter militants and provide security. The Afghan police also contribute towards the security of Afghanistan and in maintaining law and order. But the Afghan government is faced with a dilemma as thousands of the U.S.-trained Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and police have deserted after completing training. About 30 percent ANA soldiers have already fled the army. The final strength of the ANA has been planned at 70,000, but with the high rate of desertions it is doubtful if this figure can ever be achieved. Tough training, low wages and factional links to private militias which still control wide swathes of the country outside Kabul are believed to be behind the mass exodus from the ANA.
The Afghan government has encountered problems attracting qualified recruits as it has failed to maintain an ethnic balance in the composition of the army. There is a disproportionately large number of Tajiks and a disproportionately low number of Pushtuns (the country's largest ethnic minority), particularly at the officer level. This has led to increased suspicion of the Afghan force in Pushtun communities. There have been reports that ethnic Tajik officers have abused, verbally and physically, recruits and soldiers from rival ethnic groups. The desertions are also attributed to fierce resistance from the Taliban. It is a blow to the Afghan government which wants to increase the size of the force so the numbers of international troops in the country can be reduced.
The desertions have now taken a serious turn in that the deserters are now defecting to the Taliban. A dramatic incident took place on 4 June 2006. Five Afghan police shot dead seven fellow officers as they slept, before defecting to join Taliban guerrillas fighting in southern Afghanistan. The incident took place outside Qalat, the provincial capital of southern province of Zabul. "The seven policemen were asleep when the other five jumped, killed them, took their arms and joined the Taliban," according to provincial spokesman, Gulab Shah Alikhail.
The ratio of desertions from the ANA and the police continues to rise. The situation has reached alarming levels especially in the provinces of Laghman, Kunar and Ningarhar. Local elders attribute the desertions and defections to heavy ANA casualties in recent operations against Al-Qaida and Taliban in Helmand, Oruzgan and Zabul provinces. Another reason is the pressure on parents and the response of natives towards the dead body of an Afghan soldier killed while fighting the Taliban. They no longer hold the blood of killed soldiers in high esteem and do not call them martyrs. Dead bodies of afghan soldiers coming home are seen more often, encouraging the soldiers to flee the army. To make matters worse, in July 2006, 16 policemen deployed at Spina Ghbarga roadside check post in Zabul province joined the Taliban along with their vehicles and weapons.
Desertions and defections are undermining Afghan security and are putting the Coalition forces and the ANA at great risk. The coalition per force is subjected to more exposure which goes against the US doctrine. The situation may further worsen unless the Afghan government takes bold measures to bring the Pashtoons in the mainstream of afghan politics.
 

Strengthening ties with Central Asian Republics
Kashmala Khan

With the opening up of the Central Asian Republics (CARs), the whole geo-political scenario has changed. The Central Asian Republics have become more important in the world community. Although Central Asian States are land-locked and dependent on other regional partners for export purposes but still these states are attractive to the world because of its rich natural resources. The Caspian Sea in Central Asia contains one of the world's largest untapped oil and gas resources. Countries such as India, Pakistan and Afghanistan welcomed new millennium with redefined goals and objectives and all these countries are trying to get closer to Central Asian States to boost up their trade.
Pakistan's ties with CARs have gained strength since their independence and it was among the first few countries to recognize these states. The historical ties of people between Central Asia and South Asia have contributed to Pakistan's ethnic and cultural outlook. The centuries old ties of shared culture, growing potential for a multi-dimensional cooperation and geographic proximity give Central Asia a distinctive place in Pakistan's foreign policy. This finds ample reflection in our exchanges of high level visits with these brotherly countries.
Pakistan and CARs have signed number of agreements to promote bilateral trade, tourism, cultural and economic cooperation. Pakistan has also developed institutionalized arrangement to promote cooperation in the economic and commercial fields. Moreover, Joint Economic Commissions (JECs) have been established with all the Central Asian States. Under a Special Technical Assistance Programme (STAP) initiated in 1992, Pakistan provided training facilities, which are fully funded. The Program includes courses ranging from English language, banking and accountancy to diplomacy. Exchange of high-level visits has been an important aspect of relations between Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics. These have contributed to better understanding and closer cooperation. Pakistan wishes to keep up the momentum.
Pakistan's relations with the Central Asian Republics made good progress during the past few years. With improved regional security after the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan have decided to push ahead with plans for the ambitious 1,500-kilometre-long gas pipeline. The leaders of the three countries have signed a framework agreement to implement the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline project. The Trans-Afghanistan pipeline would export Turkmen gas (from Daulatabad gas field) via Afghanistan to Pakistan, from where it could reach world markets. Proponents of the project perceive it as a modern continuation of the Silk Road. The Asian Development Bank is the leading coordinating partner. It has, in addition to financial and technical assistance, played an important role in integrating efforts to realize the project. It is also expected that TAP would boost regional economic ties and pave the way for further foreign investment.
Pakistan is also offering Central Asian Republic's access to sea through Gwadar Port. Priority is also given to road and rail links and related facilities for a more effective and mutually beneficial access to Central Asia. Development of transport and communications network linking Pakistan to Central Asia is still in progress. The laying of railway tracks from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan is an important part of it. Another quadrilateral agreement between Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan provided transit trade facility through Karakoram Highway. Murghab Kulma Road from Tajikistan to China linking by Karakoram Highway to Pakistan is also a good step. It will boost the transit trade between Pakistan and the Central Asia.
Pakistan and Central Asian States are also the members of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO); it provides a good opportunity for the Heads of State and Government to meet. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines offer a closer focus on bilateral relations. In the early 1990's the Pakistani dream of a common market through ECO did not materialize due to continued instability in Afghanistan. On the other hand Pakistan's overall trade with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is around $2 billion. Pakistan's combined trade with the rest of the Central Asian States is merely $26m. Now it is expected that Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will promote the free flow of trade merchandise. Central Asian Republics such as Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan played a useful role in helping Pakistan's entry into the SCO as an observer.