The decisions taken by the government of Pakistan in response to the 26th November Nato air raid on Pakistani checkpost are bold and popular, but it should also take into account the future price of these measures.
Along with protest by the government on international level, large numbers of protests and processions have been held during this week by different organisations, political parties and religious groups against this act of blatant aggression. In this atmosphere of public resentment, Pak-US cooperation is at stake because it will be difficult for this weak and choking government to stand up to the anti-American sentiment this time.
This popular policy will also help the PPP-lead coalition government to cover its governance failures and corruption under this popular stance for sometime. But the principle stance taken by the government must also take into account its wider implications on Pakistan’s future foreign policy on Afghanistan. Boycotting Bonn Conference could be a wrong decision as Pakistan can lose much of its influence in the new international policy on Afghan. This new policy can increase Indian influence in Afghan which in turn will be of much concern for Pakistan.
Likewise, blockage of Nato route can be responded by America with trade barriers, serious cuts on both military and developmental aid and other economic barriers. These responses can affect greatly already deteriorating economic conditions of Pakistan. So, the government should ensure that the price of this popular stance is not too high for our national interests.
MUHAMMAD EJAZ SARWAR
Islamabad
