"The army and secret services are playing a double game"

Arif Jamal is  a specialist on Pakistan for the University of New York. He is the author of a book published last week in the United States, Shadow War, The Untold story of Jihad in Kashmir.

Interview by PHILIPPE GRANGEREAU

Liberation, Paris

What is Pakistan?

The policy of Pakistan is the Pakistani army, as it holds the real power in this country, in tandem with the secret services, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

However, the primary objective of the army is to conquer Kashmir [territory divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, editor's note]. To achieve this, the army and the ISI supported militarily Kashmir jihadis and their Taliban allies.

The Pakistani army is she double game?

She has always played a double game. After 11 September, President General Pervez Musharraf has continued, through the ISI, to provide military and logistical support for jihadists in Kashmir and the Afghan Taliban - who were granted an almost complete freedom of action. They have raised significant funds in Pakistan, which has allowed them to return in force.

What is the latitude of the democratic government of Pakistan?

The government has its hands tied behind its back by the army and the secret services. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Gillani really want to destroy the jihadist movement, but they are not able to. The secret services [the ISI] have the means to end the jihadis and the Taliban, but they refuse to do so.

The offensive launched by the army in Swat are they dressing?

The scenario is the same as what has happened so far in the tribal areas. The Pakistani media, under the influence of the ISI, give the impression that there is significant fighting. In fact, before the army attacks a village where the Taliban are hiding, the ISI warns them the Taliban ahead of time. The army destroys a few empty houses, sits down, then the Taliban come back.

But the Army to sacrifice its soldiers ...

From the viewpoint of the ISI, if the death of hundreds of soldiers may serve their interest, the price is not too high. The Swat valley is a critical issue because if the jihadists continue to gain ground, they will have a corridor linking Afghanistan and Kashmir. No army can then dislodge an alliance between jihadists, Taliban and members of al-Qaeda which has a sanctuary in that part of the Himalayas

Is it the Chief of Staff of Pakistan Army, General Ashfaq Kayani, who is pulling the strings?

Prior to leading the army, he headed the ISI. He was master of the double game played by Pakistan in recent years and it has not changed. But even if he is sacked, the strategy will remain the same as the Kashmir dispute is not resolved. To get rid of Islamic terrorism, it is necessary to resolve the Kashmir issue.

How could change the situation?

At the speed where the Taliban are gaining ground, Pakistan could fall into the hands of the Taliban in two years.  The army and the ISI have created a monster that is now out of control. The target of the Taliban is not Kashmir or Afghanistan, it is Pakistan.

If the United States leave the Taliban, will they get their hands on nuclear Pakistan?

Washington knows a lot about the Pakistani nuclear program. But it does not know everything, and there is the risk.