Pakistan’s reluctant war on terrorism

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When Pakistan’s “Pentagon” is attacked by militants linked to the very extremist groups that threaten the governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, it raises questions about security. To say the least. The American Influence podcast hears from South Asia expert Christine Fair. She’s a straight-talking security analyst who – unfortunately for reporters on tight deadlines – appears to be heading into a government job soon. Fortunately, Fair gave us some time and the entire episode of the podcast is taken up with a long interview with her.

Pakistan’s foreign minister spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations last week and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi assured the audience that his government takes the threat from extremist and militant groups seriously. He said:

We, as a democratically elected government, have very clearly defined our goals. We do not differentiate between sort of, you know, the good — you know, the good terrorist and the bad terrorists. Terrorists are terrorists.

Qureshi was asked about the extremist groups that have historically been focused on Kashmir and India, including the group said to be responsible for the attack in Mumbai last year, Lashkar-e-Taiba. He said they are no friends of Pakistan.

Christine Fair has serious doubts, however, about Pakistan’s willingness and ability to crack down on insurgent groups. She gives a blunt assessment of what she calls a “partial war on terrorism” by Pakistan’s military. Fair is worth listening to ahead of what looks like it’s going to be another riveting Frontline documentary on the war in Afghanistan and how insurgent groups based in Pakistan are a huge part of the problem.