PESHAWAR, Oct 30: Describing Islamabad’s sincerity with the current peace efforts as a must to bring the prolonged Afghan conflict to an end, Fatana Gillani, an Afghan social worker heading a Peshawar based non-governmental organization, has called upon President Pervez Musharraf to stop Pakistani armed tribesmen from taking part in the Afghan war.
“Instead of asking the Taliban not to allow Pakistanis to take part in the war, why doesn’t President Musharraf take measures to stop these men from joining the Taliban ranks,” said Ms Gillani while talking to Dawn.
In a regular press briefing at Islamabad, foreign office spokesman had recently asked Taliban not to allow Pakistanis to take part in the on-going war in Afghanistan.
Ms Gillani, who lost her young brother in the war during the early years of the Russian invasion and currently runs an NGO, Afghan Women Council, said that Pakistan should not let its tribesmen enter Afghanistan to assist Taliban in their war against the US.
She said it would further prolong the war.
“Pakistan, along with other regional countries, can play a key role in resolving the Afghan conflict hence its (Islamabad’s) sincerity will play a crucial role,” said Ms Gillani.
Holding the neighbouring countries responsible for the prolonged war in Afghanistan, Ms Gillani said that all neighbours, including Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia, had high stakes in Afghanistan that was why they had been feeding the warlords, one way or the other, to protect their interests in the region.
She did not appear optimistic about the success of the current peace efforts as, she observed, Afghan leaders, including King Zahir Shah, Pir Gillani and representatives of the Northern Alliance, were holding divergent views.
“They need to forge unity otherwise this (conflict) is not going to end,” said Ms Gillani.
As a result of the 23 years’ war the country had been destroyed, institutions eliminated and war became the most job-oriented trait.
In the absence of a proper economic base, said Ms Gillani, and lack of job opportunities in Afghanistan the parents had been forced to make their sons become fighters — one of the most lucrative livelihood for the youths.
Taking exception to Taliban, she said that the ruling militia had made life horrifying for the people of Afghanistan especially the women and children.
They had destroyed even whatever little was left in Afghanistan after years of war against the Russian invading forces and civil strife experienced during the Mujahideen’ rule.
“They hardly understand anything, least bothered about human rights,” said Ms Gillani, urging the UN to play an active role to help Afghan people lead a normal life in their country.