What is the relationship between Taliban in Pakistan and the Taliban in Afghanistan? Is the ISI involved with the Taliban in Afghanistan?

Regular reporting indicates Pakistan provides both military and financial assistance to the Taliban. Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, primary goals are to achieve strategic depth with regard to India, and securing access to Central Asian Trade Routes. Cultural ties also exist between the Taliban leadership and Pakistan where several Taliban leaders lived for many years following the 1979 Soviet Invasion. Pakistan fears a complete Taliban victory may incite irredentist aspirations within its own Pashtun population, and will likely attempt to pressure the Taliban into moderation of some of its policies.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001. They came to power during Afghanistan’s long civil war. Although they managed to hold 90% of the country’s territory, their policies-including their treatment of women and support of terrorists- ostracized then from the world community. The Taliban was ousted from power in December 2001 by the U.S. military and Afghani opposition forces in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the U.S.

There is a deep history between Taliban and the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) since the Taliban was assisted in their creation solely by the ISI to thrust their influence upon neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan agreed to suspend military offensives and impose Islamic law in part of the northwest region known as the Malakand region. Among the participants in the agreement were pro Taliban clerics who authorities said would return to ISI and tell militants there to disarm, although there was no mention in the agreement for extremists to give up their weapons. In all reality ISI is the first official region of the future Taliban government that will take over more areas of Pakistan.

 

Sources:

Infoplease.com: “Who Are The Taliban?” by: Laura Hayes, Borgna Brunner, and Beth Rowen

National Security Archives: Pakistan: “The Taliban’s Godfather?” posted- August 14, 2007, edited by: Barbara Elias

Terroristplanet.com