The US has perhaps taken to heart the meaning of the proverb ‘once bitten, twice shy’ by not slowing down, let alone ending altogether, the drone attacks on suspected terrorists in the north-western tribal areas of Pakistan. They claim it threatens their country’s national security and they would do anything to eliminate this threat whether the government of Pakistan agrees or not.
But how are things shaping up in response to these drone attacks and other American transgressions, i.e. how does a vast majority of population in Pakistan takes these, like the May 2 incident and Salala chek post incident? One can safely say not well. The public perception is that the US, by ignoring Pakistan’s repeated requests regarding these attacks, is treating Islamabad not as an ally, if not entirely like a foe. The second drone attack the other day in North Waziristan in less than two weeks has put further strain on the frayed relations between both countries. Pakistan’s stance is that for certain tactical advantages larger strategic interests are being overlooked with this covert programme. But this argument seems to fall on deaf ears.
The legality and moral acceptance of these attacks is yet another aspect that needs careful treading. No country would like to have another country attack it in this blatant manner without a care for the consequences. This is a troubled area but not in a way that the stick remains the only viable solution. If used properly, the carrot could offer better dividends. The terrorists need to be taken up on their own game. They play with the mindset of impressionable youth and that’s exactly what the government of Pakistan needs to do with the youth too and try to wean them away from this militant ideology. Meanwhile, development projects could help ameliorate the impoverished conditions in the restive areas, thus leaving little room for such activities. But all of this won’t work unless the US agrees to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty, stops such attacks and backs dialogue with the terrorists; the US needs to be called out on its double standards as it engaged in a dialogue with the terrorists in Afghanistan but has objections to the same when Pakistan does so.
