The way the war on terrorism was initiated soon after the 9/11 incident has ditched the countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ironically no Afghani or Pakistani citizen was involved in planning or execution of the incident. They were all from the Arabic belt, yet, America attacked Afghanistan to teach a lesson to this part of the world. The war on terrorism is like a genocidal attempt of the masses of these two countries as thousands and thousands of citizens have been killed so for. Whereas in 9/11 only 3 thousand people were killed and all of them were not American, they hailed from different countries of the world. Although their lives were precious yet it doesn’t justify killing the innocent citizens of the South Asian countries.
It seems war on terrorism is a war of two different cultures but has been termed as war on terror to satisfy the educated tax payers of the America and other allied countries. Howeer more than 48 countries are butchering people through air strikes, drones attacks etc. Almost all of the war strategies being appalied to curb the terrorism backed fire and dragged the NATO and allied forces away from the success. Don’t know why people of this region were hopeful when Mr. Obama was elected as president of the United States. He gave Af-Pak Strategy that too has been failed. If so ever that had been a successful strategy that would have never allowed the American and NATO forces to attack on Salala. This attempt derailed the smoothly going relationship between Pakistan and USA. Pakistani masses were highly perturbed on this incident so its reaction was obvious. Pakistan immediately stopped the NATO routes, people held anti America relies and the Defah-e-Pakistan council emerged out of that reaction. Now Pakistan govt is facingpublic pressure and many of the media groups are also in their editorials, columns and current affairs programs instigating the govt to say big No on reopening the routes. Certain factions have attached the NATO supply with ghairat and ego of the nation. Certain decisions require a deliberate home work and consideration.
Pakistan govt is really in the state of indecisiveness due to the internal pressures. That’s why the parliament couldn’t reach to the consensus. However NATO and the American establishment need to realize that drone attacks must be stopped as these are causing negative impact for Pakistani society. America has stopped giving Pakistan its share of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) since July 2010. That may be released at earliest. One is amazed America has failed to provide the CSF yet it keep on asking to do more. America knows very well that Pakistan doesn’t possess the resources that it can fight globally initiated war on terrorism alone. Yet more than 40 thousands of its citizens have given their lives and about 5 thousand of its troops have lost their lives fighting war on terror. Moreover Pakistan army is fighting this war from its own reserve resources which depicts its sincerity and resolve to curb the menace.
On the other the NATO forces have many a times violated Pakistani borders. Terrorists residing in the safe havens of Kunner and Nuristan on number of occasions have attacked on the villages and the Pakistani post inside the territory of Pakistan. Salala was another example of distrust andpain set by the American forces. The American and the allied forces have yet not apologized on the same which depicts their inhuman and rude attitude towards the masses of the third world. Although stopping the NATO routes for longer run may prolong NATO forces stay in Afghanistan as the material and the equipment which was used for deployment of the forces in Afghanistan has to be shifted back. America should also realize that 2 May drama and the Salala like incidents have deteriorated Pak-US relations. America is already discourteous enough to appreciate Pakistan services in the war. However NATO supply is political issue which has to solved through Pak–US negotiations. If it really wants to get out of this war it should accept the responsibility of Salala attacks and then should request Pakistan to reopen the routes. Although NATO does say that Pakistan’s role is crucial and the routes should be reopened yet it has to show through actions despite of the statements. It is fact however that Pakistan must not get itself isolated because of the issue. The things have to proceed further. NATO and American are in contact with Pakistan to resolve the issue. However president Zardari has apprised the world during the recent Chicago conference that Pakistan requirement and the sacrifices have to be kept in mind. He has clearly asked to halt the drones, give CSF and seek apology on Salala, if so ever they, the counterparts, are willing to step forward.
—The writer is Rawalpindi-based freelance columnist.
Courtesy: PAKISTAN OBSERVER
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