Pakistan is a country with geo-strategic plus. This is taken as a fillip to support and foster the complete ambit of the stance which over the years is taken as Hobsons choice. Has the counterinsurgency to do anything with anything else?
Probably yes. Deciphering a message is easy but deciphering the strategy is difficult and translating it, even more difficult. The most important issue of security world over is the war on terror; the theatre of this war is Afghanistan and Pakistan with the complete audience in the gallery.
Pakistan is fighting a dual war (not on the two fronts), one for its survival and other for the broader peace and security of the world. The two countries in question are getting further destabilised, instead of getting the dividends of the sacrifices made in terms of men, material and their social mortar. Pakistan is at the centre stage, it is fighting against the terrorists directly in tribal areas and indirectly in urban areas. The authority of the state is dwindling due to number of factors which are detrimental not only to the Pakistani polity, but also to the social order much beyond.
The war is entering into a decisive phase, going all hog in North Waziristan is a very important decision which cannot be based on emotive considerations. North Waziristan is both an anchor and a bridge of Pakistani strategy, being prepared and preserved for a politico-strategic break out.
The end game Afghanistan is linked with so many undercurrents which originate from far pavilions. The political dynamics of North Waziristan is the biggest factor which drives a policy stance by Pakistan it is not a case of inhibitions as perceived by the West rather it is the question of doing right at the right time.
ABID LATIF SINDHU
Islamabad