One virtue is common in our political and military leaders that they are now experts in misleading the ordinary people. The All Parties’ Conference (APC) held on 29 September, 2011 which was called by the Prime Minister after the Corps Commanders meeting (special) on a Sunday, when many generals spend afternoon on their golf courses enjoying the privilege bestow on them by majority illiterate poor people of Pakistan.
The ghairat brigade supported by the establishment is raising the slogan of Crush America, telling the people that as America is losing the war in Afghanistan, it is blaming Pakistan for its failure.
The fact is it is not only America, it is also the NATO forces fighting the war against the Al-Qaeda and Taliban under the United Nation’s resolution. Why the facts are being manipulated by our media? Why the Supreme Commander and Co-chairperson of PPP were absent in the APC?
All the 46 political parties which participated in the APC showed complete trust in Pakistan Army and ISI and rejected the US assertion that the ISI was involved in exporting terrorism or waging proxy war in Afghanistan. The politicians who signed the resolution unanimously have accepted the hegemony of establishment on foreign and security policies.
Why is there no condemnation of terrorists and terrorism? What will be new direction and policy? Who will make the new policy? What will be the mechanism for the dialogue with militants? Will it be a repetition of previous failed attempts, providing time to the Taliban to consolidate their power? The DG ISI reports to the Army Chief. Therefore, he is not answerable to the civilian government. This has been the practice for the last three decades. The civilian government is not trusted by the Army. Why was the Defence Minister silent while he was supposed to defend the country?
The murdered journalist Saleem Shahzad and Zahid Hussain have written extensively about the close links of ISI with terrorist groups. Why has no investigation been carried out in this matter?
The PPP-led government and other politicians, although not responsible for the establishment’s double dealing, are being forced to adopt a tough posture with the American because of domestic public pressure.
When will the military establishment understand that their own perks and privileges demand on making Pakistan a safer place for foreign investment and Pakistan will only be strong with economic muscles. Our friend China will never prefer Pakistan over its economic interests with America for the sake of friendship. We should abandon the policy of self-destruction and misleading the ordinary people of Pakistan.
S T HUSSAIN
Lahore
