The nation and the whole world are keeping their fingers crossed for the new terms of engagement that the parliament will decide.
Our worthy parliamentarians would do well to focus on the concept of interdependence rather than base their recommendations on the idea of sovereignty that should only guide the functions of the state. Sovereignty means having the ability to handle our problems ourselves with our own resources. Unfortunately, this we cannot do. Not at this stage and not even in the near future.
We can either work in harmony with US or subscribe to many conspiracy theories and abandon this relationship. If the parliamentary recommendations are based on pragmatic concerns, then they may be able to establish ties on a mutually beneficial basis for both the countries. But if the recommendations demand obedience from the US on matters that unilaterally benefit only Pakistan, then these recommendations will be useless.
Between the two extremes of ‘can do’ and ‘not possible’ lies the huge middle ground of many opportunities and possibilities. If designed and structured to strengthen Pakistan, these recommendations can help the government to explore these opportunities and possibilities.
The mindset that views US only as ‘satan’ and ‘evil’ is hardly expected to see the benefits of a prolonged relationship with a state that can help us to achieve economic and social security for the people of Pakistan. This mindset fears the imagined threats of foreign invasion, intervention and attacks.
If security is ‘freedom from threats’ than the real threat that we as a state face is not from US but these ‘reforms blockers’ who in the name of misguided ideology and tainted sovereignty create road blocks and hurdles in the establishment of a purposeful and meaningful relationship with US.
In the end, it is not the drone attacks or the Talibans who will challenge the security of the state of Pakistan. It will be the minds inside and outside the parliament of both our legislatures and policy makers who will fail to view ‘common threats’ and ‘common security’ that should in fact be the guiding principles to endorse new terms of engagement with US on long term as well as permanent basis.
LT COL (Retd) MUHAMMAD ALI EHSAN
Karachi
