Yar M. Taraky and Ibrahim Nasar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC- USA

On February 21, 2009 PRAP Global chairman Yar Taraky and Director Ibrahim Nasar have participated in the research and analysis event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC. The program was focused on the issues of security and economic development in post war regions. The session prompted over 20 researchers and developmental professionals to discuss the role of Diaspora and the security in the post conflict regions such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan. Both Yar Taraky and Ibrahim Nasar have participated in the second session and contributed to the brain storming.

Here is the Executive Summary of the first session that was held on February 21, 2009.

Taliban and their foreign supporters have spread terror in the villages of Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan (NWFP) during the last three years, and have crippled the reconstruction Process in some parts of the country. Some areas under the heavy influence of Taliban have once again been forced to accept the 1990s Taliban style rule. The deteriorating security situation in these areas, particularly after the recent deadly attacks in Kabul has left individuals wondering about the abilities of ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces. Insurgent activities stemmed primarily in provinces inhabited by Pashtuns. Gorilla activities of the Taliban were first attributed to Pashtun support.
Through its area studies, historic data and local networks, Pashtun Research Advocacy and Policy Center(PRAP Center) along with its regional Design Development and Management (RDDM) organization has analyzed the empowerment and inclusion of a silent and disenfranchised Afghan intelligentsia into the reconstruction efforts and security forces. The PRAP Centre has concluded that the inclusion of the isolated portion of Afghan intelligentsia, farmer military and police officers will change the balance of power to an active, popular and representative government. We recognize that the resurgence of Taliban is one of the reasons for the delays in the developmental and State building efforts. PRAP Centre focuses on identifying the other underlying challenges that seem difficult to address and tackle. With the new administration in power in Washington, there is a new hope that the United States and its global partners will lend a hand to the Afghan government in adopting new strategies. These strategies will include broadening the popular base of the government particularly among rural and small towns’ intelligentsia.

In maintaining momentum by eliminating corruption, empowering intellectuals, creating more accessibility to the corridors of power, discovering hidden potentials and proposing a coherent strategic plan, the United States might have a chance to help Afghanistan defeat terrorism.

The bench mark for measuring success in Afghanistan has changed and is no longer a comparison to the brutalities of the Taliban era. Afghans are looking for real changes in their lives that could be seen,
touched and felt.

Presentation by Ibrahim Nasar PRAP Centre Executive member:

These days the word ‘Taliban’ is well known to people around the world and many think of Taliban as homogenous group, linked to Al-Qaeda that follows a strict version of Islam, battling NATO in Afghanistan and strives to impose their version of Islam on other people through Jihad. But in reality there are dozens of different religious-political groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan that are lumped together and labeled Taliban. These groups and parties originated in different times and locations, have ideological differences and similarities. They are either allied with or against other groups. Their level of force and ferocity differ and they have different support bases.

Ibrahim Nasar, a Pashtun Anthropologist from the Northern parts of Pakistan presented a comprehensive presentation on the history and channelization of the extremist and religious groups in Pakistan for its origins. The study included the ideological bases of the conservative religious groups to their transformation into a military and guerilla machine. The study focuses on different factions of Taliban and ‘who is who’ in their ranks in the restive North Western Province of Pakistan and Balochistan.

Please contact PRAP Center if you are interested in the full length of the study.