Pakistan's Perspectives on recent events

Mr. Mubashir Hasan, former Finance Minister of Pakistan, addressed an invited audience in the Delhi Policy Group in October 2001

In his opening remarks, Mr. Hasan said that the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 has brought Pakistan into international focus. The reason being the presence of religious fundamentalism, weak government of President Musharraf and the possible American actions against Pakistan in the light of its recognition to Taliban. However despite extending recognition to the Taliban, Pakistan has agreed to support the US in its fight against terrorism. Pakistan does not want to get involved in Afghanistan apprehending the Jehadis backlash at home. Mr. Hasan said that Afghanistan is ruled by uneducated mullahs (religious leaders) who rule by slogans rather than by the rule of law. Afghans are generally not supportive of Taliban and are against mercenaries fighting for the Taliban forces. Since Afghan's dislike towards America is much more than against Taliban, the presence of American forces will unite the Afghans with the latter.

Prior to the Government of Pakistan's decision to support the US, President Musharraf had met representatives from different political parties, religious groups, media, intellectuals and bureaucrats. There were varied responses on the way Pakistan could handle the situation. The political parties in Pakistan reposed faith in the President and extended support in tackling the situation. The religious parties were categorical in their stand on neither getting involved in Afghanistan nor siding with the US. The advisors of President Musharraf were worried about the possible Indian armed attack against Pakistan. According to Mr. Hasan, the Indian media was largely responsible for this. From the Pakistani perception there has been a virulent propaganda against their country from the Indian media such as naming Pakistan as a terrorist state. It sets in negative feelings amongst the people. Since the failure of the Agra Summit in July 2001 the image of Indian bureaucracy in Pakistan is of being rigid and in a confrontationist mode. In fact it is the Indian bureaucracy, which is blamed for not wanting any dialogues to commence between the two countries.

Mr. Hasan said that India and Pakistan should cooperate to find a solution in settling the internal processes in Afghanistan. Similarly the issue of Kashmir, which has strained the relations between the two countries, should be resolved. India should make a definite policy in dealing with Pakistan on Kashmir in which the voices of people from Jammu and Kashmir along with the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir should be heard. The central question for Mr. Hasan is "how far will India be ready to accommodate these voices in its dialogue with Pakistan".

The views expressed by Mr. Hasan were debated by the invited audience. The contradictions in Pakistan's position in sustaining the Taliban government over the years and assisting the US to bring it down were highlighted by many in the audience.