While the Pakistani government insists that the Taliban pose no threat to the country, its citizens do not completely agree with that statement. Today, I read an interesting article on the BBC News website that gives reason for concern. More and more Islamists join the Taliban in the fight against their own country. With the help of Islamist extremist groups, the Taliban report that they control several footholds in the region of Punjab, which is located in the South-east. Reports suggest however, that the military was able to drive them out of the Buner district.
Nonetheless, the Taliban do not seem to be the major threat in the government's eye. Nearly eigthy percent of the Pakistani army is still stationed on the Indian border. The public outcry which I can completely understand, falls on deaf ears. Saudi Arabia and India mentioned that they are worried about the success the Taliban have made in such a short period of time and see their own countries in danger.
Some people say that the situation has reached a crisis status. I totally agree. The Pakistani government tolerates the Taliban and al-Qaeda on its own soil, endangering not only their own, but the surrounding countries as well. Failure to respond to US and NATO demands to oust these 'terrorists' only fuel the fire. With Pakistan losing more and more people to extremists groups and the country in a state of decline, the hits just keep on coming.
Washington and the NATO quickly responded to the threat and mobilized an additional 25,000 troops. This is the greatest threat to the country since Bangladesh split away in 1971. The only question left to ask right now is how it is possible that the population does not stand up for itself. The answer, lack of education, education, and education.
Instead of sending troops and weapons that ultimately end up in the hands of the Taliban, countries should think about supporting the country with funds so it can handle its internal crisis first and foremost. Schools, roads, and humanitarian aid are more important than an additional 20,000 firearms. They have enough of them already.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/06/img/pakistan_army.jpg
Great Blog! I agree with you they really need to focus worry about supporting the country to allow them to have money for schools, roads, etc. What is interesting to me that I never thought about is that these other countries surrounding Pakistan are just in as much danger. They really need to find a way to get this under control before it is too late.
ReplyDeletenice, sebastian!
ReplyDeletethis fight needs to stop, feels like it is no point doing this.
Wow seems pretty intense. People are loosing their lives for no reason this issue needs to get wrapped up quickly
ReplyDeleteBass, alot of the information that I have found is very similar. Pakistan officials seem that India is more of a concern and are neglecting the Taliban. Also alot of the information I found is comming from United States sources such as the New York Times and CNN and your site looks like it says americanprogress. We should look into a Pakistan news site and see what that says, that would be very interesting.
ReplyDeleteBol.