For several years Pakistani government and military elites have accused India, Israel, and even the United States of backing Taliban leaders such as South Waziristan’s Baitullah Mehsud and Swat’s Mullah Fazlullah. This week, Pakistani officials claimed the government handed over evidence of Indian backing of the Taliban to the United States and NATO:
So if the Pakistani government and military have extensive evidence of their arch-rival backing Baitullah Mehsud and Mullah Fazlullah, why did they cut a deal with Sufi Mohammed, Fazlullah’s father-in-law and a known front man for the Taliban, this spring? Why are Pakistani officials currently seeking negotiations with Baitullah now? Why would a senior Pakistani generals describe Baitullah as “a patriot”when tensions between Indian and Pakistan flared late last year after the Mumbai assault? If Pakistan is going to blame everyone but themselves for the mess their country is, the least they can do is be logically consistent.
