US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta’s warning that America would do whatever it takes to defend the US forces in Afghanistan from Pakistan-based militants (Haqqani Network) manifests the obvious intent of America to deny Pakistan any role in the peace process in Afghanistan. The Pakistan government, especially the military leadership has been emphasising that the efforts to bring stability in Afghanistan would remain futile without Pakistan. The same had been the conclusion of a 300-page report of Gen McChrystal who was later sacked and forced retired from service. He concluded that the Americans cannot win in Afghanistan and that the Indian involvement in the country would pose dangers to the American interests in the region. He had urged upon Pentagon and Washington to sincerely involve Pakistan in the peace process.
The Indo-Afghan strategic pact seems to be a part of this plan and observers consider it as Pakistan’s defeat at the hands of Indians. Rabbani’s assassination and putting its blame on Pakistan seems to be the sinister bid of pushing Islamabad into further isolation whereas Pakistan had no problem with Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani. In fact, Rabbani’s non-alignment with America’s strategic thinking was unacceptable and perceived to be a threat to the US intent to build a weak government in Kabul in future that might serve the American interests well after their planned exit from Afghanistan in 2014.
FOZIA NIAZI
Rawalpindi
