The US’ blatant refusal to vacate the Shamsi airbase reminds one of the East India Company landing on the shores of India in the 16th/17th century and then ruling the sub-continent.
The way the Americans have proclaimed not to vacate the Shamsi airbase clearly indicates their intentions (Ghazi airbase near Tarbela is another with a question mark).
However, the statements by the Defence Minister only gave little hope as one would not like to vouch for his un-professional statements. It is so ironic that the ministry of defence, the army and the air force are not on the same frequency. The statements issued by them contradict each other and paint a very different picture from the ground realities.
The Shamsi airbase is well inside Balochistan .The Americans couldn’t give two hoots as far as our sovereignty is concerned .Our interests are at stake not theirs. The best course to be adopted by the government and the army is to keep silent on such a sensitive issue.
One hopes that history is not going to repeat the drama of the East India Company. The government and the institutions are lost and look helpless. Only Allah can help us now.
SALMAN BABAR
Lahore