With a nuanced approach
Pakistan-US relations have taken a highly ominous turn with Washington believing that it faces more threat from the Al-Qaeda network concentrated in Pakistan than from Afghanistan. Wasn’t bin Laden discovered in Pakistan and the terrorist network’s second in command Abu Yahya-al-Libbi killed in North Waziristan? Many in Pakistan have condemned Panetta for extending threats and Gen Dempsey for asking Pakistan to do more. What they fail to realise is that verbal attacks cannot shoot down drones and Pakistan does not simply possess the military capability to put an end to them. A more realistic option is destroy the terrorist safe havens in North Waziristan, being used to launch attacks inside Afghanistan. This is also an international obligation. This should be done before the US decides to flush the Haqqanis out on its own. The protest against Salala attack was necessary but it must not lead to measures that help the extremists. Islamabad has to realise that a satisfactory conclusion of the fight against the militants is as important for Pakistan as for the US. For this the Nato routes need to be opened without delay.
The policy of total dependence on the US pursued by Musharraf needs to be abandoned but not replaced by a policy of hostility towards the super power. Islamabad has to learn to retain good relations with countries it does not completely agree with. It has, meanwhile, to improve its relations with neighbours and develop economic and cultural ties with emerging powers and regional groupings. For this Pakistan needs a nuanced foreign policy.
In his address to the SCO, President Zardari again reiterated Pakistan’s desire to be a permanent member of the important regional grouping. Reiterating the sacrifices Pakistan has rendered in the war against militancy won’t earn us a seat the SCO. Our commitment to fight militancy would be questioned as long as terrorist continue to pour into neighbouring countries from sanctuaries inside Pakistan or if Islamabad is seen to be protecting some of the militant groups.