On 17 Sep 2001, Gen. Mahmood the then ISI chief flew to Kandahar to persuade the Taliban to accept US demands.
These included handing over or expulsion of OBL & Al-Qaida leadership.
Dismantling their infrastructure & not allowing Afghan soil to be used for harboring terrorism
These included handing over or expulsion of OBL & Al-Qaida leadership.
Dismantling their infrastructure & not allowing Afghan soil to be used for harboring terrorism
He met Mullah Omar at his residence in Kandahar, who said that he can not hand over OBL to a non-muslim, this Mahmood being a Muslim should understand
Mahmood asked him if he concurs that there is no bigger farz for a Muslim than Salah? It's an obligation even on one's death bed
Mahmood asked him if he concurs that there is no bigger farz for a Muslim than Salah? It's an obligation even on one's death bed
Mullah Omar agreed
Then what if you see a snake coming towards you while you're offering your Salah, would you continue the farz or protect yourself from the snake first?
Mullah Omar thought for a moment and replied he will first get rid of the snake and then continue his Salah
Then what if you see a snake coming towards you while you're offering your Salah, would you continue the farz or protect yourself from the snake first?
Mullah Omar thought for a moment and replied he will first get rid of the snake and then continue his Salah
Then why can't you see the Anaconda that is coming towards you, asked Mahmood, he meant the US.
Is your oath of hospitality towards Osama more sacrosanct to you than the protection of 25 Million Afghans that hold you as their Ameer.
Is your oath of hospitality towards Osama more sacrosanct to you than the protection of 25 Million Afghans that hold you as their Ameer.
Mullah Omar replied that Mehmood should go to Kabul the next day as an assembly of religious scholars is being convened there & should ask them this question.
Mehmood went to Kabul.
The assembly issued the statement that OBL was free to leave Afghanistan by his own free will.
Mehmood went to Kabul.
The assembly issued the statement that OBL was free to leave Afghanistan by his own free will.
Mahmood thought this was a breakthrough. But when he came back to Islamabad & briefed Americans about his meeting, they thought it was too little too late.
They had already decided that this can only be solved through war.
They had already decided that this can only be solved through war.
Today, after decades of bloodshed & misery in the region in general & Afghanistan in particular, the Taliban are agreeing to pretty much the same demands.
Yes the OBL is dead but the rest of the demands remains the same.
In fact they are a bit harsher than the original ones.
Yes the OBL is dead but the rest of the demands remains the same.
In fact they are a bit harsher than the original ones.
A little pragmatism would have saved this region a hell lot of misery
Pak did its best to bring both sides to an amicable arrangement. But American desire for retribution & Taliban "principles" were just too strong
The funny thing is neither side is actually happy with our role
Pak did its best to bring both sides to an amicable arrangement. But American desire for retribution & Taliban "principles" were just too strong
The funny thing is neither side is actually happy with our role
