A few days ago, the confrontational environment created between the US and Pakistan in the country was nothing more than a storm in a teacup. In actuality, the fight is between tow agencies: CIA and ISI. These two have fought many wars together. The basis for partnership was that CIA would provide the dough and the weapons and the ISI would then do its bidding and battle any nominated enemy.
During Zia-ul-Haq’s era, America nominated the nationalist Afghan government which had dethroned the royal family as its enemy. Due to our combined efforts, the government was troubled and it had to call in the Soviets for help. Immediately, ISI declared jihad against the Soviets wajib and a war was started that was essentially a war between two superpowers. As per agreement, CIA gave the dollars and the artillery, we provided the services. Our land then became host to the training camps and sanctuaries of terrorists active in Afghanistan. Some manpower was imported from Arab countries by the CIA while some was readily reaped from Pakistan by the ISI. The “jihad” was over as soon as the Soviets were defeated and the CIA left lock, stock and barrel.
When the superpowers had defrayed their mutual matters, these two agencies were left to bicker. The CIA alleged that a big portion of the money given was embezzled by ISI officials. They also said that all the weaponry provided had not been used in Afghanistan and had been misappropriated as well. The stinger missiles provided by CIA were also accounted for and it was said that it was calculated that how many were given and how many used. It was even stated that some of these missiles had ended up with Iran. When the CIA asked for these stinger missiles to be accounted for, the Ojhri camp blast took place. No who could ask and tell how many missiles were used or destroyed. The Americans were obviously onto everything but what could they do: nothing.
On the other hand, the ISI had its own bone to pick which was why did the US run from Afghanistan with such haste. They should’ve let Pakistan have the opportunity of installing a government of their (i.e. Pakistan’s) liking and then they should’ve left. Obviously, the US did not ‘respect’ these wishes. Consequently, the dollar-fuelled mujahideen now started warring amongst themselves and they resolutely went about destroying Afghanistan. Very few people remember that Kabul was a fully populated and developed city. Its downfall and destruction started after the occupation of the mujahideen. These flag-bearers of religion bled each other to their heart’s content. Every town and street in the city was destroyed. In the end, the Taliban ruined what was left of the city with our help. All during this time, the ISI was miffed at the CIA for leaving Afghanistan and cutting off the stream of dollars pouring in.
The ISI hit the jackpot once again after 9/11. Even though it is said that General Musharraf took the decision to join the war against terrorism on his own but these things are said for public consumption to shield the truth. Did Musharraf pocket the money that were given to us in return of joining this war? Were only Bush and Musharraf involved in this CIA-ISI partnership? Were the officials and workers of these two organisations not complicit in this cooperation? Did the CIA not start us giving us the green stuff again? Did the ISI refuse to listen to Pervez Musharraf? A lot of rhetoric is thrown around and the wheat needs to be separated from the chaff.
The reality is that ‘Hallelujah’ was said when it started raining dollars again and a plan was devised to embroil the US in the region for a long time. The plan was to keep the American army enmeshed in the imbroglio on the ground and on the other hand milk it as an ally in the war on terror. As per this plan, the terrorists that CIA pointed out were nabbed whereas on the other hand, terrorists were being patronised that entered Afghan territory and attacked American forces. The Americans named them “The Haqqani group”. The Americans allege that Pakistan is supporting this particular network. They have even declared the leaders of this group as international terrorists. This is why the Americans complain that North Waziristan is home to ‘international terrorists’ who plan and execute terrorism and train youngsters for it.
As far as relations between the two countries are concerned, redefining them from scratch ahs been agreed upon. Pakistan’s condemnation of the Abbottabad incident and the parliamentary declaration against the same weren’t given any weight as evidenced clearly by the fact that Senator John Kerry stated clearly, “I am not here to apologise.” We had two options: To continue protesting till America relents, apologises and gives the assurance that such an operation would not take place again or to cease all relation with the US. Both of these options are impossible. America thinks it was its right to conduct the Abbottabad operation and the fact that OBL was present in Pakistan supported its rightfulness.
Neither could ending relations do us any favours. We are still trying to uphold the policy of one enmity i.e. with India. If we make new enemies like the US, it might be impossible for us to sustain it. Therefore, the logical thing to do was to devise new terms and conditions for relations in the post-Osama period.
I think defining these new terms and conditions was the point of Senator Kerry’s visit. His visit has mitigated much of the bitterness that had afflicted mutual relations post-Osama. He explained that utmost secrecy was maintained because of the sensitive nature of the operation. According to him, this wasn’t due to doubting Pakistan because this secrecy was maintained domestically as well. He said that he himself found out about the operation after it was started. Even General Petraeus was unaware of the operation till the very end. This secrecy was to ensure success. I think that after this explanation, we should not prolong the matter but bury it and move on.
The writer is one of Pakistan’s most widely read columnists.
