To be convincing that it is a trustworthy ally that has sacrificed thousands of its people in the ongoing war, Pakistan has to distance itself from terrorist organisations. Islamabad should start working on eliminating the Haqqani network in North Waziristan where it is reportedly based
Held amid tensions with the US, Pakistan’s All Parties Conference (APC) did not boast much of anything new. The 13-point consensus resolution adopted by the leaders of 32 political parties along with the intelligence chief and military leadership rejected the recent assertions of Pakistan aiding the militants. Participants of the APC said on Thursday that they would never compromise on the sovereignty of the country. This is something we have been hearing for a long time now. The actual goal of holding such a conference was to deal with the pressure that is being built by US top officials who took on Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI), blaming it for helping the terrorists.
Recently, in wringing comments, American officials publicly criticised the ISI for having links with the Haqqani network. The US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, has accused Pakistan of exporting terrorism to Afghanistan and called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of the ISI. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief, reportedly held the same stance during the APC meeting. According to media reports, he questioned the ISI’s role in the Afghanistan conflict and said: “If the ISI really desires peace in Afghanistan, it could do so within a month.”
The tattered relations between the US and Pakistan are at their lowest point; the latter has never been seen so nervous and lonely as it is now. Pakistan rejects US allegations and to try and find support for this notion the Pakistan army chief and top civilian officials have not only escalated their foreign visits but Prime Minister Gilani also invited the APC to discuss the issues. It is a highly critical time for Pakistani foreign policy makers. Pakistan is facing challenges on changing its long-term pro-Taliban policy in Afghanistan. They have been accused of helping the Afghan insurgency and being loath to support the peace process.
Rivalry with India and looking for a Pakistan-friendly Afghanistan is what Pakistan has been wanting. To have an upper hand in its war-torn neighbour, Pakistan’s character has always been that of a villain. Now, it is time to change all that. The APC was the best chance to start announcing these changes by admitting past mistakes and beginning sincere work as a US ally in the war on terror.
To be convincing that it is a trustworthy ally that has sacrificed thousands of its people in the ongoing war, Pakistan has to distance itself from terrorist organisations. Islamabad should not only cut ties with the militants but also start working on eliminating the Haqqani network in North Waziristan where it is reportedly based.
The US has been providing Pakistan nearly two billion dollars a year to fight terrorism and more than six billion dollars in civilian aid. Because of its fragile and failing economy, Pakistan cannot afford to create an atmosphere of mistrust so great that the US Congress feels it has to abandon monetary cooperation. Piling pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terrorists, the US senate has already “strengthened restrictions on assistance for Pakistan by conditioning all funds to the government of Pakistan on cooperation against the Haqqani network, al Qaeda, and other terrorist organisations”. This vital aid could be unfrozen again if General Kayani matches his words of aiming to demolish insurgents with practical steps.
Pakistan’s concern over India’s increasing influence in Afghanistan could be a legitimate one. However, to compete with India, if Pakistan wants to achieve its long-term objective in Afghanistan, Islamabad has to take a more mature, honest and constructive approach. Just like India, Pakistan could take an active and visible part in its war-torn neighbour’s reconstruction efforts by investing through building schools, clinics, roads, improving trade and enhancing student exchange programmes.
It is crystal clear that as long as there is war in Afghanistan, there can be no stability in Pakistan. On the other hand, there will be no development in its political and economic sectors. In the long run, Pakistan will remain a weak state and will stay behind in the race of economic progress especially against its traditional rival, India.
Lately, American officials have been saying that “in continuing to use violent extremism as an instrument of policy”, the government of Pakistan, army and ISI sabotages its strategic partnership with the US. Pakistan knows its cannot compete with the Americans on any level. In such a case, Pakistan should not commit suicide by defying the US, NATO and the world. It is in the interests of the Pakistani people, the region and the world to stop meddling in Afghanistan’s affairs and that too through a brutal insurgency. Islamabad should do the whole of mankind a favour by abandoning the strategy of supporting violence and destruction.
The writer is an Afghan journalist working at Radio Free Europe’s Radio Mashaal in Prague. He can be reached at ahmadb@rferl.org and tweets at http://twitter.com/bashirgwakh
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C10%5C04%5Cstory_4-10-2011_pg3_6
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/
Held amid tensions with the US, Pakistan’s All Parties Conference (APC) did not boast much of anything new. The 13-point consensus resolution adopted by the leaders of 32 political parties along with the intelligence chief and military leadership rejected the recent assertions of Pakistan aiding the militants. Participants of the APC said on Thursday that they would never compromise on the sovereignty of the country. This is something we have been hearing for a long time now. The actual goal of holding such a conference was to deal with the pressure that is being built by US top officials who took on Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI), blaming it for helping the terrorists.
Recently, in wringing comments, American officials publicly criticised the ISI for having links with the Haqqani network. The US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, has accused Pakistan of exporting terrorism to Afghanistan and called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of the ISI. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief, reportedly held the same stance during the APC meeting. According to media reports, he questioned the ISI’s role in the Afghanistan conflict and said: “If the ISI really desires peace in Afghanistan, it could do so within a month.”
The tattered relations between the US and Pakistan are at their lowest point; the latter has never been seen so nervous and lonely as it is now. Pakistan rejects US allegations and to try and find support for this notion the Pakistan army chief and top civilian officials have not only escalated their foreign visits but Prime Minister Gilani also invited the APC to discuss the issues. It is a highly critical time for Pakistani foreign policy makers. Pakistan is facing challenges on changing its long-term pro-Taliban policy in Afghanistan. They have been accused of helping the Afghan insurgency and being loath to support the peace process.
Rivalry with India and looking for a Pakistan-friendly Afghanistan is what Pakistan has been wanting. To have an upper hand in its war-torn neighbour, Pakistan’s character has always been that of a villain. Now, it is time to change all that. The APC was the best chance to start announcing these changes by admitting past mistakes and beginning sincere work as a US ally in the war on terror.
To be convincing that it is a trustworthy ally that has sacrificed thousands of its people in the ongoing war, Pakistan has to distance itself from terrorist organisations. Islamabad should not only cut ties with the militants but also start working on eliminating the Haqqani network in North Waziristan where it is reportedly based.
The US has been providing Pakistan nearly two billion dollars a year to fight terrorism and more than six billion dollars in civilian aid. Because of its fragile and failing economy, Pakistan cannot afford to create an atmosphere of mistrust so great that the US Congress feels it has to abandon monetary cooperation. Piling pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terrorists, the US senate has already “strengthened restrictions on assistance for Pakistan by conditioning all funds to the government of Pakistan on cooperation against the Haqqani network, al Qaeda, and other terrorist organisations”. This vital aid could be unfrozen again if General Kayani matches his words of aiming to demolish insurgents with practical steps.
Pakistan’s concern over India’s increasing influence in Afghanistan could be a legitimate one. However, to compete with India, if Pakistan wants to achieve its long-term objective in Afghanistan, Islamabad has to take a more mature, honest and constructive approach. Just like India, Pakistan could take an active and visible part in its war-torn neighbour’s reconstruction efforts by investing through building schools, clinics, roads, improving trade and enhancing student exchange programmes.
It is crystal clear that as long as there is war in Afghanistan, there can be no stability in Pakistan. On the other hand, there will be no development in its political and economic sectors. In the long run, Pakistan will remain a weak state and will stay behind in the race of economic progress especially against its traditional rival, India.
Lately, American officials have been saying that “in continuing to use violent extremism as an instrument of policy”, the government of Pakistan, army and ISI sabotages its strategic partnership with the US. Pakistan knows its cannot compete with the Americans on any level. In such a case, Pakistan should not commit suicide by defying the US, NATO and the world. It is in the interests of the Pakistani people, the region and the world to stop meddling in Afghanistan’s affairs and that too through a brutal insurgency. Islamabad should do the whole of mankind a favour by abandoning the strategy of supporting violence and destruction.
The writer is an Afghan journalist working at Radio Free Europe’s Radio Mashaal in Prague. He can be reached at ahmadb@rferl.org and tweets at http://twitter.com/bashirgwakh
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C10%5C04%5Cstory_4-10-2011_pg3_6
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment