The confidence that Mike Mullen exhibits as he claims to have secured a firm promise from General Kayani to finally launch the much sought after operation in North Waziristan indicates his triumph. Pressure tactics have, it seems, finally borne luscious and succulent fruit for the US, as no denial to this assertion has yet reached the Pakistani media from this edge. Considering the present situation in which we find ourselves between the devil and the flooded sea, what has brought about the sudden change of heart? Are our leaders patriotic enough to have suddenly become concerned about the welfare of the nation from the high rising wave of threats emanating from Washington? Or is it something else that emanates from there?
Would this venture be the last that Pakistan undertakes or will it evolve into a cyclical process until we cease to exist? With scavengers on either side, Pakistan has to be extremely cautious and weary of every demand that is expected of it as the US connection with TTP is no more a mysterious obscurity. It has to be accepted that any organization backed by the superpower cannot be wiped out by all the military operations in the world till its purpose is fully and completely served.
Lets hope that sanity prevails and Pakistan gains back its original strength to refuse and repudiate the boastful claim of the US admiral. We need to assert our national stance instead of fulfilling that of the US. It is important that we keep our own national interest at a primary position.
LUBNA UMAR
Islamabad
