The on-going US government’s planned aggressive design, to perhaps raid/bombard Haqqanis, etc in N Waziristan may proof to be very explosive in nature resulting in total break-down of so called Pak-US partnership. This may well prove to be a blessing in disguise for us as we may have to rely upon own resources once the US and other US-Allied Aid /IMF loans are cut off. Another very positive outcome can be that all the parties/sects, even the so called militant groups etc may unite against the USA who is hated by over 80 % of people not only in Pakistan but also in most countries of the world. We may have to face sanctions through the UN, sponsored by US. Our nation needs a leader to bravely face the coming situation. The times ahead will be difficult but we can face them only with unity and a rational strategy.
RASHID MAQSOOD
Lahore
(II)
The gloves are off as US Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta, threatened to take “operational steps” against Pakistan while the American military chief, Admiral Mike Mullen, accused the ISI of having used its “veritable arm” for attacking the US Embassy in Kabul.
Weeks of incessant pressure on Pakistan to undo the Haqqani network, which also brought the ISI chief to Washington, led to the final showdown at a Senate hearing where Admiral Mullen also blamed Islamabad for jeopardising a strategic partnership with the US.
Can Panetta and Mullen tell us what is “veritable arm” for Nato and ISAF in Afghanistan for attacking inside Pakistan, in Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta? Why are they protecting our wanted people there in Afghanistan? No they but those who are protecting them, using their soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan are the real enemies of us. Different views are coming from different quarters. Some say we are deemed to be punished. What debate will avert this? This is bound to happen to nations like us.
The fact is that the US-NATO forces stand humiliated after a series of Taliban strikes in Kabul’s high security zone housing the US embassy and NATO Headquarters. After 10 years of fighting and pumping almost $1,500bn, the much trumpeted Obama’s glorious surge strategy and the great American economic collapse, if this was to be the result, then all hats are off to the foreign occupation forces for a good job done.
We must welcome the US troops to attack North Waziristan. Let them taste the hospitality in the otherwise rugged and inhospitable mountains. If they decide on Tora Bora-like air strikes, it would not make much difference on ground. If this is how the Americans treat their allies, they only deserve to be where they are.
FAROOQ KHAN
Peshawar
(III)
It appears the Americans have now come out in the open. Whether it is the White House or the Capitol Hill or Pentagon, Langley, the media or the American public, they all seem to be on the same page i.e. we do not trust Pakistan as Pakistan is playing a double game with us and is sheltering our enemies. Of course, such American accusations are not true but they believe in them and are not willing to listen to us.
And how are we responding to the Americans? We are continually denying these accusations but have failed to convince them. Do we realise that we are in grave danger? We are internally moving towards complete breakdown of civil order while internationally we are moving towards total isolation and a pariah status – a country out of its own control and, by virtue of its possession of nuclear weapons, a potential danger to the world This is not the truth but it certainly is the perception and perception is always believed more convincingly than the truth.
Today the name of the game should not be bravado but cool-headedness and clear thinking. In this hour of need, the sitting government must take advantage of people who have vast experience in maintaining friendly relations with most countries, especially China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, USA and others. Such an approach on part of the government will pay great dividends not only internationally but also nationally as this is the time to forget politics of revenge and to reconcile and save the country.
FARAH IQBAL
Karachi
