- Civilian diplomacy is the way out
It is a sad occasion when a country is short of options against a dire threat it faces. The ISPR does not rule out unilateral action by the US against Pakistan. We are not told however what sort of action is expected and the ways and means devised by policy makers to cope with it. The presumed action is being expected as the US remains unconvinced of Pakistan’s narrative regarding the existence of facilitators of terrorist groups on Pakistan’s territory. If this is so, this implies failure on the part of institutions who take decisions regarding the country’ security and foreign policy issues to make out a convincing case. Whatever little incursions were recently made by Kh Asif into the prohibited territory led to hasty retreats by him, like an offer to the US to carry out joint operations against the Haqqanis if any of their sanctuaries were found on Pakistani soil.
After Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said that the PAF could shoot down any drone which violates the country’s airspace, many thought this was enough to deter any intending intruder till an unclaimed drone strike killed two in Kurram Agency this month. Secretary Tillerson has warned that Pakistan could lose territory if it failed to take action against the sanctuaries. Have the policy makers made preparations to deal with a US sponsored insurgency, say in Balochistan or elsewhere? Do they foresee the US lifting restrictions on New Delhi’s dream purchase of drones with Hellfire missiles?
A warning without the ability to implement it is a wet squib. Far better is to rely on meaningful diplomacy with flexibility being its basic component. Pakistan needs the US as much as the US needs Pakistan. By breaking off with the US Pakistan would deprive its youth from learning imparted by some of the best universities in the world. Pakistan needs the US nod to interact with the international financial institutions. Pakistan also requires Washington’s support for democracy. Good relations with US help sealing better deals with other countries. Breaking off with the US is as bad as total reliance on it by some of the previous administrations.