Pakistan and US seem to be moving on to repairing their ties that had frayed in the wake of the discovery of OBL in Abbottabad and the US operation that led to his killing. It is in the interest of both the US and Pakistan to keep the alliance against terrorism afloat. Both countries are currently in the thick of the battle and cannot afford to lose it. Uncoordinated efforts by either side would cause huge losses in manpower and monetary resources. The fight conducted jointly against the common enemy would make the victory less costly. Sen Kerry’s visit, followed by that of Marc Grossman are attempts to put the relations on rails by reducing the distrust. The setting up of an independent investigation commission as proposed by the Parliament would help further in promoting trust.
Pakistan’s unrealistic security paradigm is the mother of most evils the country faces today. The India-centric doctrine is responsible for the diversion of the major chunk of the country’s meager resources to the purchase of costly weapons systems and to the development of a nuclear arsenal which requires constant updating of the warheads and delivery systems. This has taken resources away from the eradication of poverty and development of education, health and social sector. There is a need to realise that the principal threat Pakistan faces today is from the terrorists and most of the resources should be diverted to uproot them. The eradication of the terrorist threat would give a boost to Pakistan’s economy.
Marc Grossman and CIA Deputy Director Michael Morel are reported to have held in depth talks with the President, COAS and ISI chief. The presidency and the ISPR have however issued only single liners that raise more questions than they answer. Unless the government keeps the public abreast of the developments, they will have to rely on Grossman’s interview to a private TV network, which does not support some of the official stands like the US agreeing not to undertake unilateral operation inside Pakistan again.
