by Nirupama Subramanian, The Hindu
Pakistan has, for the first time, acknowledged at the highest level that militant groups were created and nurtured by it for “tactical” objectives. Speaking to retired civil servants, who met him on July 7 night to discuss national issues, President Zardari said militants and extremists had been “deliberately created and nurtured” as a policy for “short-term tactical objectives.”
Apparently, a reference to the use of jihadist groups by the Pakistan security establishment to further strategic goals in Kashmir and Afghanistan, the statement was the first acknowledgement by a government leader of a policy that has been an open secret for years and is widely blamed for the country’s present troubles.
Before this, the former President, Musharraf, came close to a similar acknowledgement in a January 2004 joint statement with PM Vajpayee, in which Pakistan committed itself to not allowing militant groups to use its territory to carry out attacks in India.
But Zardari has articulated it in brutally clear terms. Importantly, there has been no denial yet by the Presidency or a clarification that he was misquoted, or quoted out of context. “Let us be truthful and make a candid admission of the reality,” the President told the retired federal secretaries and senior bureaucrats who met him as part of a consultative process on the issues facing the country.
“The terrorists of today were the heroes of yesteryear until 9/11 occurred and they began to haunt us as well,” Zardari said. According to a report of the meeting by the State-run Associated Press of Pakistan, Zardari said: “Militants and extremists emerged on the national scene and challenged the State not because the civil bureaucracy was weakened and demoralised but because they were deliberately created and nurtured as a policy to achieve some short-term tactical objectives.”
He made the statement apparently in response to an observation that the weakness of civil bureaucracy had resulted in the emergence of militants and militancy. While such a bold admission by a civilian leader in Pakistan is usually fraught with the risk of antagonising the all-powerful military, Zardari appears to have made the remarks with great political confidence.
One reason could be the civilian leadership’s conviction that the security establishment is now fully on board in the fight against militancy and extremism.
Three meetings in quick succession by Pakistan’s “troika” – President, PM and the Army Chief – within seven days have also fostered the belief of far greater coordination between all “stakeholders” on this grave national issue.
That belief was also apparent in remarks by Zardari to The Daily Telegraph last week that groups once regarded as “strategic assets” no longer had any backing in Pakistan.
Published by alaiwah
ALAIWAH'S PHILOSOPHY
About 12 years ago, while studying Arabic in Cairo, I became friends with some Egyptian students. As we got to know each other better we also became concerned about each other’s way of life. They wanted to save my soul from eternally burning in hell by converting me to Islam. I wanted to save them from wasting their real life for an illusory afterlife by converting them to the secular worldview I grew up with.
In one of our discussions they asked me if I was sure that there is no proof for God’s existence.
The question took me by surprise. Where I had been intellectually socialized it was taken for granted that there was none.
I tried to remember Kant’s critique of the ontological proof for God. “Fine,” Muhammad said, “but what about this table, does its existence depend on a cause?” “Of course,” I answered. “And its cause depends on a further cause?” Muhammad was referring to the metaphysical proof for God’s existence, first formulated by the Muslim philosopher
Avicenna.
Avicenna argues, things that depend on a cause for their existence must have something that exists through itself as their first cause. And this necessary existent is God. I had a counter-argument to that to which they in turn had a rejoinder. The discussion ended inconclusively.
I did not convert to Islam, nor did my Egyptian friends become atheists. But I learned an important lesson from our discussions: that I hadn’t properly thought through some of the most basic convictions underlying my way of life and worldview — from God’s existence to the human good.
The challenge of my Egyptian friends forced me to think hard about these issues and defend views that had never been questioned in the milieu where I came from.
These discussions gave me first-hand insight into how deeply divided we are on fundamental moral, religious and philosophical questions. While many find these disagreements disheartening, I will argue that they can be a good thing — if we manage to make them fruitful for a culture debate.
Can we be sure that our beliefs about the world match how the world actually is and that our subjective preferences match what is objectively in our best interest? If the truth is important to us these are pressing questions.
We might value the truth for different reasons: because we want to live a life that is good and doesn’t just appear so; because we take knowing the truth to be an important component of the good life; because we consider living by the truth a moral obligation independent of any consequences; or because we want to come closer to God who is the Truth. Of course we wouldn’t hold our beliefs and values if we weren’t convinced that they are true. But that’s no evidence that they are.
Weren’t my Egyptian friends just as convinced of their views as I was of mine? More generally: don’t we find a bewildering diversity of beliefs and values, all held with great conviction, across different times and cultures? If considerations such as these lead you to concede that your present convictions could be false, then you are a fallibilist.
And if you are a fallibilist you can see why valuing the truth and valuing a culture of debate are related: because you will want to critically examine your beliefs and values, for which a culture of debate offers an excellent setting.
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NEVER MIND 
Pakistan has, for the first time, acknowledged that it created and nurtured militant groups for tactical objectives (July 9). Although the matter was an open secret, President Asif Ali Zardari’s admission of it in a meeting with a group of retired civil servants points to a change in the mindset of the political establishment. Mr. Zardari deserves to be lauded for the dignified confession, which is belated but timely. One hopes it will eventually lead to action against militancy.
B. Harish,
Mangalore
Zardari’s admission is not exactly surprising. What is stunning is his claim that “the terrorists of today were the heroes of yesteryear until 9/11 occurred and they began to haunt us [Pakistan] as well.” It appears that he is only regretting his helplessness to handle the grave challenge posed to his country by the terrorists. Perhaps, he is also asking India to recognise the critical situation Pakistan is in.
H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana,
Mysore
The whole world knows that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism. It breeds terrorists, who fan out to different countries to carry out their nefarious acts. Pervez Musharraf admitted to it when he gave an assurance that he would rein in the militants operating from Pakistan. Why, then, has Islamabad always denied the existence of terrorist infrastructure on its soil? Successive governments — military and civilian — have been soft on terror outfits for fear of perceived backlash. Terrorist modules are so deeply entrenched in Pakistan that unless drastic steps are taken, no positive result can be achieved.
H.P. Murali,
Bangalore
That Islamabad has used jihadist groups for furthering its strategic goals in Kashmir and Afghanistan is an open secret. What is important is that the candid admission has come, for the first time, from the highest level — President Zardari who himself has been at the receiving end of terror. His acknowledgement is a vindication of India’s stand that Pakistan breeds terrorism. However, a mere acknowledgement will not suffice. Pakistan should take sincere and firm steps to root out terrorism from its soil.
Manoj Ratan Chothe,
New Delhi
The admission by Mr. Zardari marks a significant development in the history of India-Pakistan relations. But the admission and the realisation that Islamabad has created a Frankenstein monster cannot diminish the threat the two countries are exposed to. Having understood the consequences of sheltering extremist groups, Pakistan should put down terror with an iron hand.
A.L. Narayana,
Visakhapatnam
Zardari’s admission that Pakistan created and nurtured militant groups for short-term tactical objectives is shocking. In hindsight, it has rendered all the diplomatic talks with it futile. Like Pakistan, any country that encourages violence and terror in the name of tactical policy will end up harming itself in the long run.
T.M. Senapathi,
Chennai
Till such time as Pakistan does not eliminate terrorism from its soil, India should not enter into any dialogue with it. Washington too should see through Islamabad’s double standards and stop extending support to it. At least now, Pakistan should get tough with the Taliban and be honest in fighting terror.
Inamdar Ramachandra,
Bangalore
Pakistan has long been in denial on its involvement in terrorism-related activities. Now that Mr. Zardari has accepted its role in nurturing terror, the international community should work with Pakistan to root out terror cells from its soil.
Jeyshree Jayaraman,
Mangalore
Now that the Pakistan President has admitted that terror is Pakistan’s baby, we should request the Pakistani authorities to hand over all those involved in the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai to face trial in India.
B.S. Raghavendra Rao,
Bangalore
Zardari has unveiled the truth before the world. His disclosure is a warning to the leaders of other nations who nurture similar militant outfits with ulterior motives.
C. Petson Peter,
Kochi
Of all the Pakistani politicians, Zardari seems to be the most honest, notwithstanding the charges of corruption that have been levelled against him in the past. Let us congratulate him on speaking the truth and pray that God safeguard him from his own men.
C.V. Venkateswaran,
Coimbatore
We should admit the very fact that Pakistan promoted Taliban during Russian War and U.S was equally involved in this game. We should appreciate President Zardari’s confession because it is ultimate truth that a dictator Zia ul Haq nurtured Taliban and promoted Islamic fanatics that have become threat for our survival today.
There should be no doubt that Pakistan is very keen and committed to eliminate terrorism and ongoing operation is very clear proof for this. It is also a very fact that no previous regime struggled to flush out terrorists and played double games but incumbent Govt of Pakistan has shown its very commitment to root our extremism, which is not only threat for Pakistan but for entire world. Now it is the responsibility of foreign powers to support Pakistan.
it is good that things are going right way now.The pakistaani government is now taking bold steps without the fear of fundamentalists within.good days seem to be ahead for pakistan as well as its relations with india.
Mr. Zardari deserves to be lauded for the dignified confession, which is very timely., that Pakistan promoted Taliban. Now One hopes it will eventually lead to elimination of this menace. Successive governments — military and civilian — have been soft on terror outfits for fear of perceived backlash. Terrorist modules are so deeply entrenched in Pakistan that such drastic steps taken by the present Govt can only yield positive results. It is really unfair to say that Jihad is continued unabatedly, It is nothing except to terrorize the people and support wings of fanatics.