Chapter 2 continues…

The biggest role, however, in pushing Pakistan into supporting the Taliban was that of Naseerullah Babar, who has often been referred to as the ‘Taliban’s Godfather.’ He had seen the Taliban as a formidable political force that could bring peace to Afghanistan and serve Pakistan’s long-term economic and strategic interests.51 Babar was responsible for setting up the Afghan Trade Development Cell in the Interior Ministry, whose task was to coordinate with other ministries to facilitate a trade route to Central Asia. The principal spinoff of such an initiative was considerable logistical and infrastructural support for the Taliban.

Although the assertion by some that the Taliban was a force created by the Pakistan may not hold, their success and emergence as the most successful force in Afghanistan would not have been possible without the extensive support provided by Pakistan. In that sense the Taliban’s rise is consistent with Afghanistan’s history, where the control of Afghan regimes over the country has largely been possible because of external assistance. The Taliban was supplied with wheat, kerosene, diesel and oil; roads, highways and airports were repaired and new telephone cables were laid down improving communication in Taliban-held areas and connecting them to the Pakistani communication system. Pakistani banks and stores had also opened branches in Herat and Kandahar, and Pakistani advisors were helping the Taliban administer Herat and other areas controlled by the group.

It was the military support provided by Pakistan, which proved to be critical for their success, and enabled them to defeat their opponents, resist any counter-attack from them, and ultimately capture Kabul in 1996 and eventually control 90 per cent of the country. Pakistani trucks and aircraft carried military supplies for the Taliban, the Talibs received training from Pakistan’s military, and Pakistani soldiers and students were sent in thousands into Afghanistan to participate in Taliban’s military campaigns. The ISI also played a leading role in helping the Taliban capture a number of critical strategic strongholds in Afghanistan, such as Jalalabad, Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

To be continued…