"The role of Pakistan is minimal in Sri Lanka"--Pakistani Professor

by Our Correspondent in Islamabad

(June 03, Islamabad, Sri Lanka Guardian) "There is no evidence of Pakistan military participating in the war [with the LTTE]. Pakistan provided only small arms to Sri Lanka. The relations are cordial between the two military forces," Sohail Mahmood, a Professor and Chairman of the Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad said in an interview with the Sri Lanka Guardian.

Prof Mahmood has been a Professor of the Department of Politics & IR, International Islamic University, Islamabad, prior to that he was the Associate Dean of the Department of International Relations at Preston University in Islamabad. With a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northern Arizona University, he is one of the leading experts in the world on Musharraf and Pakistan and has published dozens of books and articles on the issue.

We reproduce the full text of the interview:

It is obvious that the Government of Pakistan provided a great deal of help to Sri Lanka during the War and some reports go so far as to claim that a small number of Pakistani Air Force pilots participated in air raids against the Tamil Tigers. How do you see Sri Lanka/Pakistan military relations and do the claims of Pakistani and Sri Lankan military personnel fighting alongside each other have merit?

There is no evidence of Pakistan military participating in the war. Pakistan provided only small arms to Sri Lanka. The relations are cordial between the two military forces.

There is frequent talk, especially among Indian analysts, that Sri Lanka is becoming a poker chip in the Sino-Indian competition for influence in South Asia. What is your assessment on Chinese role in Sri Lanka as well as in Pakistan?

The role of Pak is minimal.

Lets talks about Pakistan specifically; how you see the developments after the passage of Kerry Logger Bill passed by the US congress?

Pakistan badly needs US economic assistance today. American influence in Pakistan is at an all time high as a result.

How do you view the role of the Army in Pakistani politics after the 18th amendment to the constitution?

This does not affect the Army‘s role as the strongest institution in the country. The Army supports the development.

What about corruption in Pakistan? Why are Pakistani courts not accepting cases against serving generals?

The power of the Army cannot be challenged by any institution in Pakistan; an unfortunate fact of life now.

The UN recently released a report on the murder of Benazir Bhutto in which it was pointed out that General Musharraf’s government is responsible for her murder for not providing her proper security. The report also pointed out that Intelligence agencies like, ISI and the military intelligence agency (MI) were the responsible. How you react to that?

The Musharraf government was negligent in providing security to Benazir and of destroying evidence immediately after the assassination. The orders might have come from the military agencies as Musharraf was in power then.

The defense budget is generally not discussed in parliament. Do you think it should be talked about when Parliament is in session? How important is political transparency when the military budget is the subject, especially when the country is in a state of war?

There is no transparency in the budget when it comes to the military. Such is the power of the military in Pakistan. The budget exercise in parliament is not a serious one anyways. The Government controls the budget. The role of parliament is of a rubber stamp only. This is tragic indeed.

Many people claim that the Armed Forces, particularly the Pakistani Army, are behind the Islamic militancy in the country as well as in Afghanistan and India. There seems to be a double standard in the Pakistani military of going to great lengths to fight Islamic militants, yet politically actually sympathizing with them in many regards. What is your assessment of both the loyalty of the military to the cause of defeating militancy and protecting the stability of the state and the effectiveness of the military’s efforts over the last few years?

Musharraf was playing a double game because he wanted to ensure his own rule. Remember he faced a serious legitimacy crisis. It has ended now. The military wants to end Islamic militancy now. It itself has suffered from the Islamic radicals wrath.

There are reports that during the army action against the Taliban in the North West Frontier Province there were killings of many civilians which were not revealed because the army has control of the media. What is your understanding of the fact or fiction behind these “mass grave” reports?

There were many killings; n No doubt about that. However, "mass graves" is just propaganda.

Did the military strike a significant blow to the militants in the North West Frontier Province? What do you know about claims that the Taliban knew before hand when the attacks were coming?

Yes, it did.

The Taliban did not know attack timings. There is clear propaganda against the Army here.
What is your opinion about the restoration of the Judiciary and Chief Justice of Pakistan, do you think that the judiciary is still independent? Will it be able to enforce the rule of law?

It has gained independence and stature. However, it cannot enforce the rule of law; most unfortunate for Pakistan.

There are reports of more than 5000 people, missing in Pakistan after 9/11. Most of them are from Balochistan. How do you see the issue of disappearances being resolved?

Yes, but there are hundreds missing not thousands. The matter will not be resolved any time soon.

The intelligence agencies will not give complete information to courts. The courts will also not insist. These are sensitive matters.

Torture in custody is very common in Pakistan. Even the military is running torture cells in different containment areas. The ISI is also thought to have "safe houses" where torture to obtain confessional statements is used. There is no law in the Pakistan Penal Code which mentions torture as a crime. Would you like to participate in the movement against torture, through research, your analytical reports, or through your columns?

Yes

Finally, do you feel that long-term peace is an achievable goal in the region? How can this be achieved, if it is possible at all?

India/Pakistan peace is the key to peace in South Asia. It will not happen though. The governments are too weak to be able to push a peace deal (Kashmir) through any time soon.

Only massive public movements can possible change the situation. This movement must have support from throughout the region. This also is not likely to happen. Too bad for South Asia! I am pessimistic here. I wish it was not so. The people continue to suffer. We have to promote democracy to make the voice of the people effective. Peace is not easy here. Educating the public also on the requirement of peace is not likely to happen though. Again, tragic for the region!