On the `Wild West' Afghan-Pakistan frontier
Haroon Siddiqui sees first-hand the tough time guards have in weeding out Taliban
Feb 18, 2007 04:30 AM Haroon Siddiqui
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C HAMAN–Those who think Pakistan should do more to contain the Taliban ought to come to this bustling Afghan-Pakistan border post.
It is 138 kilometres north of Quetta, the so-called "capital of the Taliban," and nine kilometres south of the Afghan city of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province, not far from where Canadian troops are deployed.
A sea of humanity flows through here in both directions – more than 20,000 a day, mostly on foot or bikes or donkey carts, kicking up the dust that characterizes this terrain.
Almost all are Pushtun, as are the Taliban. Any, many, or all those at this crossing could be a Taliban, or none at all.
The tribal Pushtuns span the border, 15 million each on either side. As per a pledge given during British colonial times, they have enjoyed ease of movement over the Durand Line.
Chaman is the transit point for bilateral trade, the focal point of which is a bazaar north of here.
As I arrive early in the morning, most vehicles are headed there, carrying consumer goods from Pakistan and beyond. The foreign products are smuggled in via Arabian Sea ports near Karachi and trucked across the barren terrain of the province of Balochistan, to the capital Quetta, and then up the road that I've just traversed in a four-hour, bone-rattling ride.
Along the way, I had suggested to the driver that he avoid the bump and grind by driving on the smoother shoulder. "No," he said. "It may be mined."
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Haroon Siddiqui sees first-hand the tough time guards have in weeding out Taliban
Feb 18, 2007 04:30 AM Haroon Siddiqui
Article Link
C HAMAN–Those who think Pakistan should do more to contain the Taliban ought to come to this bustling Afghan-Pakistan border post.
It is 138 kilometres north of Quetta, the so-called "capital of the Taliban," and nine kilometres south of the Afghan city of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province, not far from where Canadian troops are deployed.
A sea of humanity flows through here in both directions – more than 20,000 a day, mostly on foot or bikes or donkey carts, kicking up the dust that characterizes this terrain.
Almost all are Pushtun, as are the Taliban. Any, many, or all those at this crossing could be a Taliban, or none at all.
The tribal Pushtuns span the border, 15 million each on either side. As per a pledge given during British colonial times, they have enjoyed ease of movement over the Durand Line.
Chaman is the transit point for bilateral trade, the focal point of which is a bazaar north of here.
As I arrive early in the morning, most vehicles are headed there, carrying consumer goods from Pakistan and beyond. The foreign products are smuggled in via Arabian Sea ports near Karachi and trucked across the barren terrain of the province of Balochistan, to the capital Quetta, and then up the road that I've just traversed in a four-hour, bone-rattling ride.
Along the way, I had suggested to the driver that he avoid the bump and grind by driving on the smoother shoulder. "No," he said. "It may be mined."
More on link
