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Peace Accord With The Taliban?

Iqbal Latif - 9/8/2006

"Those who can win a war well rarely make good peace and those who could make good peace would never have won the war."

Making concord is much harder than making confrontation. The agreement with the Utmanzai tribe and local Taliban was finally reached, which has guaranteed that cross-border interference will not be allowed. Britain, with the richest experience in handling Pushtans, has hailed the Waziristan peace deal. Brits have termed the agreement as a future "model" for insurgency-ridden Afghanistan. To understand the roots of extremism in Pakistan, one needs to look at the lawless land in the 'North' which forms the core of political Islam and radicalism of today. These are the lands in the "North" of the country; these are the places where the hornets nest of terrorists lie; these are the places where humanity would have to join hands to bring them to civilised society. It is not that Pakistan has created this region; it is actually a fact that Pakistan has been bequeathed with this area as a result of partition. Even the British never had control over this region. It is a region where war never wins. To get peace you need collective bargaining with the tribals.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are caught between modernism and medievalism, between LUMS and Deoband/Wahabism. To comment on events and happenings in Afghanistan dissociated with the established cultural norms of 'Pashtunwali,' the politics of 'The Great Game between The Raj,' and Peter the Great, and the fall of the USSR designed and orchestrated by the Americans with the help of Pakistani ISI, is brutalisation of record. The material advantage of winning the Cold War without a 'nuclear holocaust' is all forgotten; once the Russians were defeated, the green- turbaned Jihadists were left in thousands to seek a new enemy of the faith. Unfortunately, they found in the absence of freedom in 'Hijaz' the only enemy as the supporter of the House of Saud, the USA. History with noticeable gaps is intellectual criminality; some engage in it intentionally, others due to lack of perspective.

The agreement has been signed as a result of Loya Jirga, an integral part of the tribal Pashtun wali code. The contravention of code is not tolerable. It is important for us to know that this is not a jungle law. As great protectors of human culture and diversity, the West needs to look at the bottom of the whole thing and see the strategic contours that led to this very sensitive agreement. Loya Jirga that decided the dispute is a tradition that goes back to a thousand years. What is Loya jirga? It is a forum unique to Pushtun in which, traditionally, tribal elders - Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks - have come together to settle affairs of the nation or rally behind a cause.The phrase, "Loya Jirga," is Pashto and means "Grand Council." The institution, which is centuries old, is a similar idea to the Islamic "shura", or consultative assembly. The kinds of decisions taken in a Loya Jirga are earth shattering. Perhaps the most famous loya jirga took place in 1747, when Pashtun tribal chiefs met in the southern city of Kandahar to elect a king. Deadlocked by nine days of debate, the loya jirga chose the king as the only man who had not spoken a word the whole time. That was Ahmad Shah Durrani, the man who founded the state of Afghanistan. Historically, it has been used to settle inter-tribal disputes, discuss social reforms and approve a new constitution. Hundreds of men wearing turbans, Persian lamb hats or embroidered quilt coats would pack into a vast hall. Long debates take place in Pashto and Dari, with the inclusion of the occasional Koranic quote in Arabic. In 1928, King Amanullah asked Queen Soraya to remove her veil at the loya jirga to win support for modernising reforms.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, British Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Kim Howells said that the accord was a "great step forward" and would be closely watched by the Afghans, who might also attempt a similar sort of deal to quell the violence in their country. "I am absolutely certain if there is possibility for negotiations which are constructive and not just a gesture . . . If it is likely to throw up the kind of results which the negotiations in Waziristan have thrown up, then it could be a future model for Afghanistan." He said that the British government gave its full backing to the "experiment" in North Waziristan , confirming that Islamabad had fully briefed the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mark Lyall Grant. "Our ambassador has been fully briefed and been made fully aware of the negotiations." The minister said that if the international community could learn from Pakistan about how to negotiate under such circumstances, it could prove constructive in its dealing with the current insurgency in Afghanistan.

The war in Afghanistan , since the last three decades, has had direct consequences on the tribal areas under the so-called control of Pakistan. These areas share a porous 450-mile border with Afghanistan; efforts since 911 have been made to prevent this area from becoming a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters where they could take respite and recuperate. It is unprecedented in tribal history where such a complicated issue was amicably resolved within a few weeks' period, keeping within the tribal traditions and customs.

According to this historic agreement, the Utmanzai tribe of North Waziristan Agency have committed that army personnel and law-enforcing agencies, and state properties will not be attacked; no target killing shall be carried out; no parallel administration will be established in the area; no cross border movement to Afghanistan for militant activities will be carried out and no ingress in settled areas adjacent to North Waziristan Agency will take place. Similarly, they have resolved that all foreigners in North Waziristan will leave Pakistan, albeit those who are unable to do so for certain genuine reasons shall respect the law of the land and abide by all conditions of the agreement. They shall not disturb the peace and tranquillity of the area.

I think I am positive about this agreement basically due to the fact that, unlike double-faced peace treaties that are part of the Middle Eastern diplomacy where no one really means business, here we will see some tangible move forward on that Fremont, the very reason that the writ of the government has been accepted in so-far free areas is a very positive move.

Let's revisit the First Anglo-Afghan War, British commanders General Elphinstone and McNaghten tried to negotiate with Mohammad Akbar, but at a meeting McNaghten was killed. On January 1, 1842 following some unusual thinking by Elphinstone, an agreement was reached that provided for the safe exodus of the British garrison and its dependents from Afghanistan. Five days later, the retreat began, and as they struggled through the snowbound passes, the British were attacked by Ghilzai warriors. The British column of more than 16,000-strong (consisting of about 4,500 military personnel, both British and Indian, along with as many as 12,000 camp followers) was massacred in the 30 miles of treacherous gorges and passes lying between Kabul and Gandomak. Lady Butler's famous painting of Dr William Brydon, reportedly the sole survivor, gasping his way to the British outpost in Jalalabad, helped make Afghanistan's reputation as a graveyard for foreign armies and became one of the great epics of Empire. Pakistan Army has lost nearly 500 men since the war started to assert the control in Waziristan.The First Afghan War provided the clear lesson to the British authorities that while it may be relatively straightforward to invade Afghanistan it is wholly impracticable to occupy the country or attempt to impose a government not welcomed by the inhabitants. The only result will be failure and great expense in treasure and lives.

If one does not understand the history of the tribal areas, he would never be able to understand the characteristics of this concord held under the auspices of Loya Jirga. Tribal areas are governed by 'Pashtunwali's.' Pashtunwali's most basic teachings are rooted in Mosaic Law. It is known that Prophet Muhammed named the Pushtans, after the main part of a boat i.e. batan; their history spans over five thousand years. Pakhtoonwali is basically conservative but radical, apparently dictatorial while naturally democratic centuries old, but still a young phenomenon in the Pakhtoon culture and socio-economic structure. Pakhtoonwali has been able to maintain a powerful dialectical balance of the Pakhtoon society. The present agreement takes into account thousand of years of an imprinted constitution over the hearts of men of valour. Pakhtoonwali qualifications of Khpelwaki (self authority), Sialy (Equality), Jirga (Assemble), Roogha (reconciliation or compromise), Badal (revenge), Barabary (equivalence), Teega/Nerkh (Law), Arbakai (messengers) Aziz/Azizwale (clan, clanship), Nang (competence), Gairat (enthusiasm), Ooga Warkawel (giving lift to persons in need), Pannah Warkawel (Offering asylum), Ashar (shared co-operative work), Zhemana (Commitment), Melater (patrons), Chagha (Call for action), Soola (truce) and other.

History tells us that in case of war, a treaty would have to be made at the end of the war. One cannot go on a shooting spree of its civilian people who are dictated by a certain code; one needs to rope them in through their own code which they definitely respect. Time tells us that making honourable peace is harder than making war. Pakhtoonwali is an unwritten democratic, socio-political culture, law and ideology of the Pakhtoon society inherited from their forefathers and carried on to the present generation. It is a dominant force of Pakhtoon culture and identity. Pakhtoonwali as a complement of the Pakhtoon society, for its perfection and reform, has undergone various legal, political, economic and cultural changes in rules and regulations and has developed into an accepted comprehensive constitution.

Tribal leaders from the treacherous mountainous areas along the border with Afghanistan have an unambiguous message since ages ago: "Don't interfere with us." Alexander the Great was turned back, and for the last hundred of years, until December, no soldiers, not even Pakistanis since 1947, were allowed in. This is an unwritten code controlling, guiding and balancing, to a large extent, the form, character and discipline of the Pathan way of life. It is the name of the traditional customary law, which has been adopted by Pathans from time immemorial. It is framed on the principle of equality and retaliation and has deeply ingrained in the social structure of a Pushtun's life and is highly esteemed and held sacrosanct by all persons irrespective of their financial or social status. This code requires as Pushtun to defend his motherland, to grant asylum to fugitives irrespective of their creed or caste to take revenge, mostly more and harsher than mere Qisas, to offer protection, even to his deadly enemy, and wipe out insult with insult. And above all, death to anyone who molests his woman. These values are embodied in Pakhtunwali, which literally means Nang-i-Pakhtun, the way of the Pakhtun. At the same time, these traits are true reflections of Islam but since Pathans claim their origin well before the advent of Islam, it can safely be surmised that the Pathan is a Muslim by virtue of his very blood. He is Muslim first and Muslim last. Pakhto to a Pathan is not only his language, but is also the embodiment of all human virtues. Pakhtoon society, by the virtue of Pakhtoonwali, went straight to the feudal social structure without experiencing an era of slavery.

Lt Gen (retd) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai was the corp commander, heading the army in the war against Taliban. Although it is supposed that war and making peace are too sensitive businesses to be handled by the generals. Here in this case perhaps Aurakzai defied odds. As a General he fought a good war with his kins and garnered respect, as a civilian he was chiefly instrumental in signing this accord with the tribes and local Taliban. Winston Churchill said that, "those who can win a war well rarely make good peace and those who could make good peace would never have won the war." I think only time will tell, but this peace agreement in an area well-heeled with the milieu of the past might just prove that Aurakzai may have achieved both ends. "I am indebted to all members of the jirga for their untiring and selfless efforts," he added. This agreement has been the outcome of efforts of the forty-five members' grand tribal jirga that was launched on July 20 last. However, the prime role in reaching this agreement has been played by the NWFP Governor Lt. Gen (R) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, who started efforts for peace immediately after taking over office of the Governor on May 24 this year. It was the result of his tireless and sincere efforts that the local religious elders announced a unilateral ceasefire on June 25 that paved the way for peace negotiations in North Waziristan.

To understand what this man has achieved, one needs to look at his tribal pedigree. The Aurakzai tribe to which this man belongs is a component of this 'Pashtunwali code.' They take their names, which literally means "the lost son" (Orak Zai), from a romantic legend about their ancestor, Sikandar Shah who was a prince from Iran and was exiled or lost, and after many adventures married and ruled in Teerah. A small Bangash tribe, the Buland Khel is attached to the Orakzai agency for administrative and historical reasons as well, although they live at some distance from the agency between Thal and North Waziristan. Part of his tribe hails from that area. Pakistan has a lot of enemies in the tribal areas? That is mainly due to the fact that Pakistan stood up for something. When people talk about rift and mutiny within the Pakistani armed forces they forget that it is an Aurakzai and not an outside Russian or an Englishman who fought a long drawn war losing his 500 men and then from a position of strength who, not as a military commander, but as a civilian helped bring those conditions in which a Loya Jirga could have been convened.

Against all traditions and norm, he, as the corp commander of Pakistan army, broke the Pushtunwali code 'that requires as Pushtun to defend his motherland.' He led and fought valiantly to establish the writ of the state in an area which was never under the control of anyone. This agreement would not have come about from a position of weakness. He created those conditions where tribes were forced to call a Loya Jirga to agree on terms.

Now, as civilian Governor of the province, Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai has said, "United States, Britain , France, Germany and Afghanistan were all on board and the entire game plan was discussed with them." All stakeholders had been consulted before a grand tribal jirga started negotiating with the militants in July this year on the peace deal with militants in North Waziristan. "I held three meetings with the US ambassador to discuss the plan. I also met the French and German ambassadors in this connection in June," Aurakzai said. "If it (the peace deal) succeeds, it can be extended to Afghanistan," he added. He said that President Pervez Musharraf had discussed the peace deal with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his two-day visit to Kabul a few days ago. "There was a very good response from the Afghan president," he added. He said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan would benefit from the peace deal and rejected outright that key Al Qaeda leaders would also avail the offer of stay if they abandoned terrorism. "Osama has not been given amnesty and all those who are associated with Al Qaeda will be dealt with."

In an area with such a hostile record, Pakistan Army has poured over 80,000 troops and hardware. The Pakistani military has lost nearly one man for every Al Qaeda operative - totalling several hundred - it has captured or killed. President Pervez Musharraf nearly lost his life twice in the fight, after Al Qaeda's suicide bombers trained their sights on him. This sacrificial bravery is not creation of the Pakistani state, but a part of the tragic legacy of recent and past history of this land. It is a disservice to analyse and broad paint history through our own tinted rosy visions. Condemning Pakistan for all the evils of the region is not accurate. Much as Pakistan was responsible for a lot of 'Jihads,' the biggest Jihad of the 80's was the creation of nobody else but the USA to settle old scores with the Russians. The cold war with the Russians was won by destroying the invincibility of the Red Army and breaking the resolve of the 'Politburo' to reach the warm waters of the Gulf. President Leonid Brezhnev's dream suffered the same fate as the nightmares of 'Peter the great.'

On the 9th of November, 1989, the border separating Western from Eastern Germany was effectively opened. The fall of the Berlin Wall had begun with the building of the Wall in 1961.

The Cold War ended with the defeat of the Soviets in Kabul; the iron curtain that had descended over Europe lifted overnight. 1989: Soviet troops' pullout of Afghanistan was an exit that marked a major humiliation of the Red Army's military power; about a million Afghans lost their lives as the Red Army tried to impose control and millions more fled abroad as refugees. Soviet deaths were estimated to be around 15,000. Salang Pass through the Hindu Kush Mountains became the death pass of the Soviets. It only took 10 years from the fateful decision of 24 December, 1979, when President Leonid Brezhnev sent in troops to support the struggling communist government. The victims of the uprisings against the Communist dictatorship in Berlin 1953, Budapest 1956 or Prague 1968 could not achieve what Afghan war achieved in helping to bring about the implosion of the Soviet state. Several times people in the Communist countries rose up against the Communist system, but they failed.

The material defeat of USSR was ascertained in the plains of Afghanistan through creation of global Jihadists Inc. It is only 30 years ago that today's villains were yester heroes laddered with heavy armoury, and deadly stinger missiles. A lawless land inundated with arms and then, once the objectives were achieved, was left in haste for the whole mess to be settled by a state who had its own interest in shifting its strategic depth to as deep as Oxus, still struggling as a country after 58 years of independence in discovering its own identity. Nations are not made overnight; all artificial nations created post 1st and 2nd World War, from Yugoslavia to USSR, or the Ottomans, were dismembered and suffered balkanization. Pakistan, against all odds, has survived, and it is only due to one institution and that is the Pakistan Army – for them, like Romans, so far 'discipline is an institution' and they have assumed the status of guardians of the state. Between several linguistic and culturally estranged communities, the constitution that guarantees federalism is safeguarded by the might of this army. Take this army out, and we will have five separate states in what is known as Pakistan. They are earnestly making Pakistan a habit for a Sindhi, Punjabi, Pathan and a Baluchi. Warlords and drug barons reign supreme leave them alone and you hear constant bickering of Pakistan inability to tackle the problem of warlord's. If harmed like recent Bugti incident, they overnight become nationalist martyrs. Pakistan Army is caught with an unenviable task of imposing a nationalistic rule over a populace which has a lot of inherent dissent. Only time will tell how successful they will be, but there is enough reason to think that the jury is still out, as states only survive on the basis of language, culture and commonalty of habits, ideology has rarely been a successful basis of a unified state. Definitely, the region we since 1947 call 'Pakistan' lends itself to credence of a state on the basis of its economic potential, the four provinces will benefit far more for being together than separated.

On a regional scale, with the assumption, that there is still code of honor amongst thieves. I consider such accords if triumphant can become roadmap for settlements to kind of insurgencies that we are witnessing in Iraq, Gaza and Lebanon . However, are the counter parties dictated by the thousand year's code of Pashtunwali or honor to keep their words?? Unfortunately for the mankind Middle Eastern insurgents and terrorists follow no codes. In absence of honor and trust no peace is possible.