Behind Imran Khan's defence of the Taliban at the UN | In Focus
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan set the cat among the pigeons on September 25 when he said people living along the tribal belt in his country had affinity with the Taliban not because of their religious identity but because of Pashtun nationalism. He claimed that Pakistani Pashtuns had affinities and sympathy with the Afghan Taliban.\nMohsin Dawar, a member of Pakistan\u2019s National Assembly from North Waziristan, responded in a tweet. Quote: \u201cJust shocked at how the PM of Pakistan can describe Taliban as Pashtun nationalists. The Taliban is a project of Pakistan\u2019s generals for decimating Pashtun nationalism\u201d. Unquote.\nSo what\u2019s the reality? How true are Prime Minister Imran Khan\u2019s claims made in his recent at the United Nations General Assembly?\nGuest: Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, Research Associate at the SOAS South Asia Institute in London. A former member of Pakistan\u2019s civil service, she is the author of\xa0\u201cMilitary Inc. Inside Pakistan\u2019s Military Economy.\nHost: Amit Baruah, Senior Associate Editor, The Hindu