IN his recent interview former Soviet president Gorbachev warned that victory in Afghanistan is an uphill task and is not possible. He warned that victory is not possible in Afghanistan due to geographical difficulties and very different Afghan cultural values.

This is recalled at a time when the number of Nato casualties has reached 600 this year. This has already crossed the total number of Nato casualties last year.

Now attacks at Nato bases, government facilities, incidents of roadside bombing and suicide bombing have become a daily routine in the country.

Last month the Karzai-backed governor in Ghazni lost his life in a suicide attack. According to Nato high command, after nine years of war the Taliban are still controlling 72 per cent area of Afghanistan. Only last month did militants burn down more than one 50 Nato supply containers in different parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Allies are still paying millions of dollars to secure the Nato supply route from possible attacks. After a huge military spending and high war casualties, allies are facilitating negotiations between different militants groups and the US-backed Karzai government in Afghanistan.

Only days ago did Pakistan release key Taliban personality Mullah Abdul Ghani`s brother for negotiations with the Karzai government. Mulla was arrested in Karachi some months ago.

Unfortunately after nine years of war, the US and its allies are still not able to win the hearts and minds of the ordinary Afghan people.

More innocent people have been killed in US air strikes and drones strike, creating more militants in the region.

According to UN estimates, incidents of ordinary people being killed have risen to 43 per cent this year.

After nine years of war, Afghanistan is considered the world`s poorest country in the world. Selfish warlords are still controlling most parts of the country and ordinary people are paying a high price.

The US and its allies made big promises regarding the reconstruction of Afghanistan but provided nothing but deteriorating economic conditions. People don`t have jobs, education and proper medical facilities while the infrastructure of the country has already been destroyed and no reconstruction made so far.

This is the main reason that after nine years of war the situation is still going bad to worse in Afghanistan and victory is still very far from sight.

KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ