US Vis-à-Vis Pakistan
By the Editor

AMIDST changing scenario on the horizons of global polity with focus on South Asia, specifically the Muslim World – the National Assembly of Pakistan has decided to get-on to an in-depth debate on the controversial statements by some of the presidential candidates in USA.

Such assertions have simultaneously been censured by official circles – and termed as ‘irresponsible’.

Analyzing this milieu – Pakistan Senate Foreign Relations Committee has already adopted a resolution demanding – that Pakistan should cease its cooperation in the war against terrorism in case of any unilateral, unprovoked US/NATO military action across the country’s border.

The recommendation and warning of the Committee not just reflected bi-partisan view point but also feelings and aspirations of the people of Pakistan.

Despite the fact that the Government of Pakistan was offering all sorts of cooperation to the United States in the war against terror, there is no end to blame game with Washington and its allies urging Islamabad every now and then to do more.

This arms-twisting policy is being resented by each and every Pakistani and people are even weary of the Government’s open-ended cooperation to the United States.

They want that the parameters of cooperation must be clearly drawn and the United States told that this is the limit beyond which Pakistan cannot go.

The United States is increasing pressure on Pakistan only because our leadership kept on meeting demand after demand without properly assessing their ramifications. It is because of this that the country is today caught in a highly delicate situation where law-enforcing agencies including military are being targeted by militants and no place is considered to be safe and secure.

No doubt, Taliban are putting up strong resistance throughout Afghanistan but it is because of the wrong policy of the United States and not because of any fault on the part of Pakistan.

Americans invaded Afghanistan, brought down Taliban Government and then proceeded to carry out hostilities against another country where they are facing Vietnam-like dilemma.

As the United States left the job unfinished in Afghanistan and virtually failed to fulfil its pre-invasion commitments of turning the country into paradise through massive rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, people of Afghanistan felt betrayed – resultantly, they are compelled to extend support to radical Taliban.

American and NATO successes in Afghanistan are only because of cooperation of Pakistan but instead of accepting and recognizing Pakistan’s vital role they are now threatening to march into Pakistani territory. It seems that Americans are in their true colours now.

With this situation, the Senate Committee has represented sentiments of the people by carrying out threadbare assessment of the grave situation and recommending the way out.

It has rightly pointed out that any unilateral military action would provoke a popular backlash among the people of Pakistan, which would be detrimental not just to the interest of Pakistan but also to the national security interest of the United States.

We feel optimistic that the Government will have full backing of all segments of the society if it comes to the conclusion that Pakistan can no more go along with the US.

At the same time, the situation calls for national reconciliation that is the best and sure way to resist increasing foreign pressure vis-à-vis the sovereign soils of Pakistan.●