Friday, July 04, 2008, Jamadi-ul-sani 29, 1429    

Boucher is right for a change

IN his news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher touched upon many issues of interest to Pakistan and the United States but his observation about the crises and challenges facing the country was most relevant. The US official, on being asked repeatedly about the role of President Musharraf and his country’s relations with him, pointed out that Pakistan has more pressing issues than the future of the President. In this connection, he referred to the food crisis and crippling energy deficit and urged all political leaders to focus on these issues. Normally, we do not welcome certificate of any kind from any foreign country or personality as it is for people of Pakistan to debate their internal problems and sort them out. In fact, we, like other patriotic Pakistanis, have strongly been opposed to blatant interference by the United States in the purely domestic affairs of the country. However, every one is entitled to make any assessment of a particular situation and that is why we believe that the remarks made by Mr. Boucher deserve to be given serious consideration by all concerned. No one can deny the fact that Pakistan is passing through a very delicate period because of security and governance-related problems, which need utmost attention of the rulers for satisfactory resolution. No doubt, the law and order situation, which is in turn offshoot of the war on terror and blind cooperation being extended to the United States in this regard but after all it is the Government and people of Pakistan who have to handle the problem in the interest of the country. Similarly, political instability triggered by the judicial crisis and the economic difficulties created by the unprecedented hike in oil prices in the international market also demand single-minded attention by the policy-makers. But unfortunately, these problems that have direct bearing on the future of Pakistan are being ignored and as a result people of Pakistan are getting frustrated due to price-hike, unemployment, corruption and growing crime rate. Under these circumstances, one cannot but agree with the comments of Mr. Boucher that instead of making President Musharraf an issue, the Government and politicians should devote their energies on resolving the real issues.