Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired), Author at CommandEleven

Nov

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Governance No Comments

An Army of Lions

Pretty early in his current incarnation, contrary to his pre-election absolute rejection of the option, Imran Khan decided to take the IMF route. To bless his about-turn, he sanctified it as a hallmark of leadership. Someone from Khan’s inner circle violated the decorum of the high office he had been granted for his sycophantic talents and sneered, that the promises made before polls were like pre-matrimonial vows – not to be taken to heart.

Oct

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Hybrid Warfare, Terrorism No Comments

Was This My War?

We, the State, had allowed the Uzbeks, the Tajiks, the Arabs, Africans, the Chechens and numerous other criminals from almost all over the world to come and settle down, here amongst the tribal belt and hijack the tribes. They decapitated the mushers, (leaders) usurped the tribal way of life, commandeered spaces, collected revenue by force and governed the area through coercion, force and terror, while the State was conspicuous in its absence.

Oct

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Terrorism No Comments

To Talk or Not to Talk

‘Go and learn Islam from Bush’, were the taunts my men suffered as they patrolled the streets of Jandola. It was demoralizing to the rank and file and confused the issue of who was the enemy and who was friend. It was a difficult situation with Muslims facing Muslims in a war that few understood and even lesser wanted to fight.

Aug

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Afghanistan No Comments

Whither Afghanistan

People are coming to very faulty conclusions as events unfold in Afghanistan. The Taliban are being painted as an invincible force and why not. They own the moment and are living it. At present, they ride the crest and have bragging rights.

Aug

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Afghanistan, Briefing Papers No Comments

Afghanistan – Implications of a Global Failure

The grievances of Pashtuns, the progress of KPK, support base of PTM, role of PTI and PPP, and proposed next steps are discussed in this article and offer additional insight to this issue.

Aug

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Governance No Comments

Hypocrisy at its Best

The continued cliche of the famous “Strategic Depth” used to beat Pakistan with was a ridiculous concept, thrown up by a brigadier at the National Defense University (NDU), then known as the NDC, was purely an academic discussion, never a State Policy.

Jul

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Afghanistan, Briefing Papers No Comments

The Afghan Gordian Knot

The grievances of Pashtuns, the progress of KPK, support base of PTM, role of PTI and PPP, and proposed next steps are discussed in this article and offer additional insight to this issue.

Apr

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Terrorism No Comments

Beyond Hubris

Indeed, the US is making much heavy weather of exiting Afghanistan, and of course it entered the Country in a fit of bullheadedness, Al-Qaeda having shown the red rag – and without much forethought. But that happens most of the time, and since even the best laid-out plans fly out of window after the initial salvos; it’s the afterthought that counts. And that’s where America went awfully awry.

Mar

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Kashmir No Comments

Pain Therapy

India may have learnt a thing or two from the Jewish state, but has taken the pain therapy to such sublime depths that even the Pakistanis can be numbed before the next dose is administered.

Oct

By Lt. General Tariq Khan (Retired) Pakistan No Comments

Overpowered

Army’s intervention in politics – rightly or wrongly, directly or indirectly –brings the constitution and the institutions under stress. Creating a political structure around some selected figures is its compulsion, both for legitimacy and for the outreach.