As per a report, the White House said last Friday that it may veto a Senate bill for blocking aid to Pakistan until Islamabad takes aggressive steps to curb the use of roadside bombs that kill American soldiers in Afghanistan. There is always a drumbeat that a huge amount is given as aid but Pakistan is not doing enough, is playing double game, is supporting terrorists and American taxpayers’ money is not free for all etc.
Similarly, our media in the race of breaking news broadcasts these reports without verifying. Moreover, mistrust among the institutions also gives wind to this type of propaganda.
Once again the American media, their lawmakers and think tanks are active after the brutal killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a Nato attack. Gen Jones’ statement that Pakistan is moving on the path of self-destruction and any Mumbai type attack on India will have grave consequences is not out of context. The pressure tactic is being used to subdue the Pakistanis.
We made a grave mistake by joining the USA club after independence. India extended the hand of friendship to Soviets and they proved to be the real all-weather friends whereas we were always being deceived and ditched at all the forums by the US.
Sanctions are imposed every now and then and no efforts or help is given by the American to the people of Pakistan. They didn’t established even a single mega project for the welfare of the people and only less than $500m given out of $3bn under Kerry-Lugar Act, whereas the USSR gave us our steel mill. They never gave us aid; whatever is given is taken back in shape of consultancy charges, payment of the weapons and services charges. In the last ten years, America paid only $8bn in Coalition Support Fund, and more than $6bn are outstanding since last one and half year.
Pakistan has already expended this amount from its meagre resources. On the other hand, more than $10 billion per month are being spent in Afghanistan by the US.
The losses of Pakistan in this war on terror are more than $70 billion but still it is we who are blamed. We need to put everything in black and white and reconsider what we gained and what we lost with the friendship with the Americans. If more than 60 percent of Americans and 70 percent Pakistanis think that we are enemies, not friends, something is wrong somewhere then and leaders of both countries should think upon it.
SHAHID ZAHUR
Rawalpindi