World Business Press Online, LONDON -

Indian's Prime Minister Singh justly conditions more conciliatory approach towards Pakistan by the militants'defeat. Despite it is hard to deduce from his statement, whether he requires Taliban to be pushed back to the tribal areas in the northwest of Pakistan, or to be crushed completely. First interpretation would be easier to fulfil for the Pakistani army, because even those Pakistanis who strictly oppose Taliban, support militants' jihad against the US occupation of Afghanistan. Besides, Taliban's role in Afghanistan prevents Kabul to get more affiliated with hated India. Now, the army has popular backing (even though armies don't like fighting their own population) for Taliban upset many villagers already. Perceived as barbarians from mountains, Taliban can't win the hearts of the whole population and overthrow the government due to its radicalism. The militants could cause chaos and the increase in terrorism though. How successful will they be depends on how the government looks after 2.5 million people and how it tackles madrasas and mosques. These are no longer institutions where people can meet, learn, celebrate or discuss. One preacher, with exceptions of course, pursues his own radical agenda, thus provoking fundamentalism in minds of young people. However, it would be unwise to forget that the mujahedeen are not the products of the madrasas, but of American actions in the region.

Milan Sebo