Tariq Ali speaks about Pakistan Current Situation

Tariq Ali s a renowned Pakistani intellectual of world reputation resides in U.K but visits Pakistan from time to time. Recently he gave an interview to Emmy Goodman, It is presented here:

Emmy Goodman: Recently Pakistani border security forces have stopped American army to cross the Pak Afghan border  and do an operation in Pakistani territory   but Pakistan’s army open fire on their helicopter. How would you comment on this?

Tariq Ali: I think circumstances have become  quite dangerous. It is the point of discussion in American administration  since last year whether to do operation  inside Pakistan’s territory  but there is a strong lobby inside U.S administration  which says that if U.S  operated inside Pakistan it will benefit those elements against which U.S  is doing operation.

Emmy goodman: How?

Tariq Ali: When pushtoon population of North West Frontier Province will see that America  has started operation against them, they will join Taliban inside Afghanistan to strengthen resistance.

Emmy Goodman:  Senator Obama has clearly said that  American forces should enter Pakistan territory to search for high valued targets because Pakistan’s government has failed to do a powerful operation against them.

Tariq Ali:  I think Obama has done a blunder to give this statement . I think he has not briefed well about the  situation in Afghanistan. On the other hand , it is a historic  fact the whenever America  fails after attacking a country  it puts all the allegation for its failure  on the neighboring country  and thus  also attacks its neighbor as well  to justify its attack. After its failure in Vietnam  it attacked Cambodia . The same it is doing with Pakistan and is killing Pakistanis whereas the real problem is in Afghanistan  and war in Afghanistan  which has been badly complicated.

Nevertheless,7 years have passed  of American takeover of Afghanistan and in those 7 years  the condition has  got bad to worst  every year.  American been killing more  innocent people every year  but not been able to win war  and now to deceive Afghan people  they are trying to widen this war  even to Pakistan  which will make the conditions even more worst.

Emmy Goodman: What is your opinion about Asif ali Zardaari?

Tariq Ali: He talks of  progress of democracy which  seems very interesting to me.  Particularly  about his own democratic reputation  that he has become  the Co-chairman of  of his party  according to the advice of Mohtarma Benazir  wheres chairman is his young son. Moreover, the only foreign personality who sat with his was Afghan President Karzai.

Emmy Goodman: Nawaz Sharif separated from PPP government because of judiciary . Why not Zardari restore the judges?

Tariq ALi: Zardari is reluctant  because Iftikhr CH is an extremely liberal minded judge and the western countries which are  currently supporting  Asif Zardari are also against the restoration of Iftikhar CH. I tell  you a story . A poor women approached him and said i have lost my only son  and   i don’t know where he is gone and no one is telling me  where is he? On this chief justice summoned the Chairman FIA and questioned about her son . He said i don’t know about him , on this chief justice ordered to produce her  son within 48 hours in the court or be ready to go behind the bars. such harsh language has never been used before nor heard in Pakistan about bureaucracy.

The son of that poor women was produced inside 48 hours in court.  Chief justice asked  about the proof against him. FIA chairman said there is no proof  against the boy but U.K  and U.S wanted his arrest. Chief justice ordered his immediate release.

Emmy Goodman: If there would have been direct Presidential elections ,what do you think who would have won?

Tariq Ali: Iftikhar CH, no doubt with landslide majority or perhaps Nawaz sharif.

Emmy Goodman: you have written “THE DUEL” named book  in which you have shown  Pakistan and America in comparison . Do you think its indeed like this?

Tariq Ali: In this book i have tried to reflect the  half century old struggle of  Pakistani people  which has consistently been hi- jacked by military dictators and corrupt politicians ,and 200 million people remain devoid of basic necessities of life. Regardless of health and education they been kept from two time meal. Whereas every military dictator  had got full support and backing from America .

Emmy Goodman: Where is Musharraf gone?

For time being he is inside Pakistan  and in full protection of Army  but very soon he will starts  going outside the country. Particularly America in Chicago where his one brother is doctor. Now there is role  of his in Pakistani politics.

Emmy goodman: During Musharraf period Pakistan got billions of dollars from America  but where it all goes? and whether America will keep giving such dollars to new government?

Tariq Ali:This i dont know where all those dollars went  . Although such money given to Pakistan’s political elite has always been ruined like this.

Emmy Goodman:  You been writing about Latin America ,Tell us about those countries political situation in detail.

Tariq Ali: In Bolivia,Venezuela  and Chili, America is being fully rejected. Although nothing  can be send about Columbia. Bolivia has ousted the American Ambassador for conspiracies against its elected government by calling  him Unlinked person  and  in joining hands with Bolivia ,Venezuela has also ousted American Ambassador . Now America has to think hundred times before taking  any such decision.