Mr Arif Nizami in his recent article “Resetting of ties” (30 March) has explained the current issues confronting the country in a very articulate manner. Laying emphasis on civil-military relations on Pak-US issues, role of pressure groups out of assemblies, and review of Pak-US relations starting from Raymond Davis to attack on Salala check post. But the writer has missed very important point that still hinders civil-military relations i.e., the Memogate issue that has badly hurt the army and they expect justice from the apex court. In real terms, the civil and army relationship in the long term will be defined by the outcome of this scandal.
It is true that during the past one year, relations between Pakistan and US have not been cordial mainly due to certain major events taking place one after the other and the last one being the attack on Salala check post. At the same time, military to military relations were improving steadily but army could not exert much pressure due to public outrage on Salala issue. Despite Pakistan’s insistence, the US has refused to offer apology except to regret the incident. But their recent U-turn that they fired in self-defence is likely to draw more criticism than lowering the tempers. This ultimately has resulted in bringing army and civilian leadership on the same page. The recent visit of CENTCOM and ISAF commanders failed to bring any result due to US’ stand on apology.
It is good that we should bring every agreement in writing but these agreements cannot deter US to use their right of pre-emptive strike if their security and national interests are threatened. The writer is right when he says that drone attacks have become fewer and there has been respite from terrorists throughout the country except some attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that is understandable. The reduction in terrorists attack is not on account of some sympathies towards Pakistan but their reduction is attributable to reduction in collateral damage due to decreased frequency in drone attacks in N Wazirstan.US can no more accuse Pakistan’s spy agency of maintaining ties with the Taliban and Haqqani network when US itself is engaged with the Taliban and Haqqani network to work out an exit strategy.
There should be no doubt in any body’s mind about opening of NATO supply routes in near future. The foreign minister has hinted that we cannot show eyes to anybody (US) but we demand respect of our sovereignty. Our parliamentary recommendations mean nothing to the US. In fact, there is nothing new in the recommendations except seeking apology from US.
The writer’s assessment that Pakistan should not feel very happy even if the NATO supply route is opened is correct. It will take some time to have more positive response from the US. President Obama will speak in view of the coming US elections. He made it clear to PM Gilani when he met him in Seoul when he said that the US security could not be compromised and Gilani talked about Pakistan sovereignty.
I fully agree with the writer when he says that the ISI has not denied links with militant networks. Maintaining links with the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani group is in the interest of US for ensuring peaceful exit from Afghanistan and it is only Pakistan alone that can help US and nobody else. The US must trust Pakistan and honour its sacrifices and give compensation of the losses incurred due to war on terror instead of pressurising it and extracting the response that suits its national interest and future military strategy.
MUKHTAR AHMED
Karachi
