How Pakistan got stuck in terrorism? | TCC

Summary

The video script explores Pakistan's history of supporting terrorism, tracing its roots from the Cold War era to its current struggles. It highlights the role of Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, in backing groups like the Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which have fueled terrorism both in India and domestically. Despite early economic growth, Pakistan's focus shifted to terror funding, which has destabilized the country. The script also discusses the consequences of this policy, including Pakistan's deteriorating international relations and ongoing internal conflict with terror groups. Ultimately, the video suggests that only strong political reforms and public unity can help Pakistan break free from this cycle.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pakistan's history of supporting and training terrorist organizations dates back to the 1980s, during the Soviet-Afghan War, where Pakistan became a key player in supporting Afghan Mujahideen.
• 😀 Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf admitted that Pakistan promoted terrorism in India, highlighting a long history of militant involvement in the region.
• 😀 In 1947, Pakistan's economy was growing, but it declined over time, partly due to unstable governance and policy shifts towards terrorism funding and military rule.
• 😀 The US and Pakistan initially shared a close relationship during the Cold War, but their ties soured as Pakistan continued supporting terrorism, which led to a decline in US support.
• 😀 Pakistan's involvement in creating and supporting terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed contributed to tensions with neighboring India and the global community.
• 😀 The Afghan Mujahideen, trained and funded by Pakistan during the Soviet-Afghan War, were later diverted to Kashmir, exacerbating the insurgency there and further straining India-Pakistan relations.
• 😀 The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan and its subsequent links with Al-Qaeda further complicated Pakistan’s relations with the US and the West, as these groups targeted Western interests.
• 😀 Pakistan's role in harboring terrorist leaders like Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, and Dawood Ibrahim, despite international condemnation, has perpetuated its status as a state sponsor of terrorism.
• 😀 The global community, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has condemned Pakistan for funding terrorist organizations, resulting in Pakistan being placed on a grey list for terror financing.
• 😀 Pakistan's internal struggle with terrorism is evident, as the very terrorist groups it created, such as the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are now challenging the Pakistani government and its sovereignty.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video is to discuss the history of terrorism in Pakistan, its role in supporting militant groups, and the consequences that Pakistan has faced as a result. The script also highlights the role of international relations, particularly with the United States, and how the Pakistani government has struggled with instability due to its support for terrorism.

How did Pakistan initially support terrorist organizations?

Pakistan began supporting terrorist organizations in the context of the Soviet-Afghan War from 1979 to 1989. Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, worked with the CIA to arm, train, and fund Afghan Mujahideen fighters, who were fighting against Soviet forces. After the war, Pakistan redirected these trained militants to support insurgencies in Kashmir.

What was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s stance regarding India?

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, declared in a speech to the United Nations Security Council in 1965 that Pakistan would wage a thousand-year war against India, signaling a long-term conflict strategy aimed at challenging India through various means, including terrorism.

What is the 'Bleeding India with a Thousand Cuts' policy?

The 'Bleeding India with a Thousand Cuts' policy was adopted by Pakistan's military leader Zia-ul-Haq, which aimed to weaken India by carrying out numerous small-scale, hidden attacks through terrorism. The idea was to inflict damage over time without direct military confrontation, which Pakistan's army had failed to achieve in previous wars.

How did the collapse of the Soviet Union impact Pakistan?

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in a shift in the global geopolitical landscape. After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan continued to support terrorism by fostering extremist groups like the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, despite the initial support from the U.S. and Western countries waning.

What role did Pakistan play in the rise of the Taliban?

Pakistan played a crucial role in the rise of the Taliban by providing them with support, training, and resources. After the Afghan Mujahideen's victory over the Soviet Union, Pakistan continued to back the Taliban, which led to their eventual control of Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban's hostile relations with the U.S., Pakistan maintained its support for them.

How did the U.S. respond to Pakistan’s support for terrorism?

The U.S. initially supported Pakistan during the Cold War and the Soviet-Afghan War, but relations began to deteriorate after Pakistan continued to support terrorist organizations, particularly those targeting India. The U.S. began to distance itself from Pakistan, especially after the discovery that Osama bin Laden, responsible for the 9/11 attacks, was hiding in Pakistan.

What evidence is there that Pakistan shelters terrorists?

The most significant evidence of Pakistan sheltering terrorists is the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Navy SEALs in 2011, who was living in Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistan has been home to leaders of terror organizations like Hafiz Saeed (Lashkar-e-Taiba) and Masood Azhar (Jaish-e-Mohammed), despite international efforts to curb their activities.

What was the role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism?

The FATF placed Pakistan on its grey list in 2018 for funding terrorism and money laundering. This designation aimed to pressure Pakistan into taking stronger actions against terrorist financing, especially in light of its role in harboring individuals like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.

How does internal instability in Pakistan relate to its support for terrorism?

Pakistan’s internal instability, largely due to the interference of its military in government affairs, has contributed to the country's ongoing support for terrorism. The military has often used terrorist groups to maintain control over the government, benefiting from an atmosphere of terror. This has led to unstable governance, with no Prime Minister completing a full term since 1947.