Vulnerable and isolated

The cost of burying your head in the sand

Pakistan has had serious border incidents with Iran, its relations with Afghanistan are less than friendly while the last few weeks have seen the worst exchanges of fire on the working boundary with India. As if this was not enough to add to a growing sense of isolation, now comes the Pentagon report accusing Pakistan of providing sanctuaries to militant networks for attacks inside India and Afghanistan. The report thus endorses the charges levelled from time to time by the two neighbouring countries. There is something seriously wrong with the way Pakistan is conducting its foreign relations in the region.

Not long ago the Punjabi Taliban announced the end of attacks inside Pakistan while simultaneously proclaiming the continuation of jihad in Afghanistan. None from the government side cared to reiterate that the network would not be allowed to undertake the activity from Pakistan’s soil. A similar threat has been extended by the TTP JA to India. Whenever terrorists make claims of the sort the authorities in Pakistan deny their presence inside the country. The state of denial has not helped in the past; it won’t in the future.

It is commendable on the part of Gen Raheel Sharif to visit Afghanistan. A single visit however is not expected to bring about change in Afghan perceptions without any meaningful development on the ground.

It is time the army realised that while it can do certain things fairly well, it lacks aptitude for others. None but the army could have established the writ of the state in Swat and SWA or cleanse the NWA of highly lethal terrorist groups. The army however is not trained to make the foreign policy. If it ventures into the field, it will have to take the blame for the failures too. It is time the civilian government rectify the flaws that have made the country vulnerable besides painting itself into a corner. Bringing the country out of isolation is the most urgent issue that needs to be addressed.