Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »
Sat 05 May 2009Peace in 'the graveyard of empires'
The man known as the father of the Taliban was also a key member of Pakistan’s intelligence service. In a rare interview, he says the only hope for peace is for the US to negotiate with Mullah Mohammad Omar – something he is willing to arrange
IF ANYONE CAN be said to epitomise the intrigues that have played out in Afghanistan over the last three decades, it is the man known as Colonel Imam. That is the nom de guerre of Amir Sultan Tarar, a legendary figure who worked for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s infamous spy agency. As a code name, it hints at the deeply held religious convictions that provided the ideological underpinning for a career whose mark is still felt in the region today.
Choose a Subscription type - required
