Former Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan Chris Alexander has said the Pakistani military is the official backer of the Taliban and Haqqani network.
Alexander, who has also served as deputy head of UNAMA, said that Pakistan clearly supports the Taliban and Haqqani terror network and that the world must not underestimate Pakistan’s backing of the insurgent groups in Afghanistan.
In a Skype interview with TOLOnews, he said that Pakistan has been creating barriers in the way of the peace and national reconciliation process in Afghanistan and Islamabad has warned the Taliban against endorsing a peace process with the government in Kabul.
The Canadian envoy termed Pakistan’s backing of the Taliban and Haqqani network as a clear violation of international law and interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
“Pakistan’s military and Pakistan’s ISI are official state sponsors of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban, of the Quetta Shura, of the Haqqani group and the whole world needs to rally around that fact to ensure that Pakistan changes its behavior,” he said.
The Canadian diplomat said despite a number of Taliban realizing the fact they fight a proxy war on behalf of Pakistan in their country, they still wage war because of the pressures on them by the Pakistani military.
“Many of the Taliban leaders that I have spoken to directly or heard from indirectly have families in Pakistan that are threatened if they are not fighting, if they are not following orders, if they are not targeting the government buildings and people that they are asked to target, then their families are threatened and sometimes consequences can be very high for them,” he added.
Concurring with the Canadian envoy, a number of political analysts have also asked the international community to take action against Pakistan’s terrorism policy.
“Pakistan is the sender of terrorist groups in the region that disrupt peace and security. Pakistan is home for terrorists, even Pakistani economy is run through terrorism,” a military analyst Ajmal Saees said.
“The United States started taking practical steps against Pakistan by killing Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the attack was an unprecedented move, it is hoped diplomatic pressures are increased on Pakistan in the future, including attacks on terror hideouts in Pakistan,” university professor Nasir Ahmad Tarakai said. http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/25746-pakistans-military-official-state-sponsor-of-taliban-insurgency-ex-envoy
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