Stalled talks

Of all the reasons Pakistani clerics could give for refusing to attend preparatory talks for a conference with Afghan clerics, citing the anti-Taliban nature of their counterparts may be one of the very worst. There can be only two interpretations of this action: either the Pakistani clerics support the Taliban and their ideology or, they live in such fear of the Taliban that they are worried about being targeted for their association with anti-Taliban clerics. Neither interpretation reflects well on the Pakistani clerics. The Pakistanis wanted to use the conference as a way to become part of the reconciliation process with the Taliban but true reconciliation will only be possible after a reckoning of the Taliban’s crimes and not by glossing over them.

In fact, a conference such as this would have been an ideal way to bring about clerical consensus against the Taliban. One reason extremism is thriving is that too many prominent clerics have provided religious cover to the Taliban. Even if they denounce the Taliban’s methods, they are often in agreement with their interpretation of religion. This conference should have been used to try and counter that. Instead, Pakistan is thwarting the possibility of even creating an anti-Taliban alliance. This will be counterproductive for the cause of peace in both countries.

Then there is also the unfortunate fact that such actions serve only to reinforce the almost colonial way in which Pakistan treats Afghanistan. In our dealings with that country, we want things to either go our way or we pack our bags in a huff. It was this attitude, which led to our foisting the Taliban on Afghanistan and then continuing to support the Afghan Taliban based in our territory. It seems that for us, Afghanistan simply exists to further our regional geopolitical goals. Now might be the time for some humility, to show Afghanistan that we take its concerns seriously even if we disagree with them. The place to express these disagreements and debate them would have been at the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2013.