From the study it appears that Pakistan is using the militant network to get a toehold in the Afghan mineral sector. For the militants, however, the business gives respectability and in deed a perfect cover.
A joint US-Afghan geological survey has estimated Afghanistan’s untapped mineral wealth at nearly $1 trillion worth. Chromium oxide deposits alone are estimated to be around 980,000 tonnes and these lay scattered in the Haqqani controlled Logar and Khost provinces.
Officially, the Karzai government has not given the Chromite mines on lease as yet. There is no regulatory regime in place either. This has not come in the way of Haqqanis making their foray into mining. The CTC study says that there is evidence of chromite being smuggled to China through Pakistan.
China has been eyeing the mineral wealth of Afghanistan. It has just made a beginning by entering into deals for exploration for iron. It has a natural interest in the Afghan chromite since this earth oxide has its use in making stainless steel.
The United States has been toying with the idea of declaring the Haqqani Network as a terrorist outfit. A formal decree may come by the month end, if not early September. The CTC study will undoubtedly be factored in the decision making process. The American determination to target the Haqqanis is clear from the sanctions imposed on Aug 17 on Bakht Gul, a key Haqqani Network communications official since at least 2009. Abdul Baqi Bari, a Taliban financier, has also been conferred this honour.
While Bakht Gul has been designated for acting for or on behalf of Badruddin Haqqani, Bari is accused of providing financial support for or financial services to the Taliban
‘By designating these individuals today, (US) Treasury is taking another step to ensure all those who perpetuate ongoing violence and terrorist activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan will continue to be marginalized and cut off from the international financial system, and they will find it increasingly difficult to carry out their objectives’, Adam Szubin, Director of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in Washington.
Accordingly, all property in the US or in the possession or control of US persons in which Bakht Gul or Abdul Baqi Bari has an interest is blocked; the Americans are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Gul works directly for senior Haqqani Network leader Badruddin Haqqani and coordinates the movement of Haqqani insurgents, foreign fighters, and weapons. He serves as a gatekeeper for Badruddin. Gul’s responsibilities include relaying reports from commanders in Afghanistan to senior Haqqani Network officials, Taliban media officials, and legitimate media outlets in Afghanistan.
