Pakistan at center stage

Pakistan has been at the center stage of super-power expansionist wars and rivalries since 1978. That year the Soviet Army and Air Force attacked Afghanistan, with the motive to annex it after a short war. But Afghan Mujahidin resisted valiantly, the war dragged on for ten years and in 1989, disgraced and defeated with sixty thousands Soviet dead soldiers and thousands injured, the super power left Afghanistan. The fall out of the Afghan war was defeat and disintegration of mighty Soviet Union and demise of communism in Russia. Pakistan became a conduit for material, weapons and funds for the Afghan freedom fighters. Pakistan was at the center stage of the war against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Pseudo-Islamist General Zia-ul-Haq detested communism and Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. He understood that with the Red Army in the west and Indian army in the east, Pakistan was in nut-cracker situation. With two enemies across the borders Pakistan’s security was seriously compromised.

Pakistan helped rid Afghanistan of Soviet occupation,but the country paid the price. Soviet bombings, and barbarities had caused one million Afghan deaths; and 3.5 million Afghan men, women and children fled to Pakistan for safety. But with them came Klashnikov, drug and culture of intolerance and violence. Washington used Pakistan for its own purpose of revenge against Moscow, for the Vietnam debacle; but ditched it when the aim was achieved. Pakistan was left high and dry, and was forced to take care of the 3.5 million Afghan refugees alone. The United States imposed sanctions under the notorious Pressler Amendment, blocking supply of 71 duly paid for F-16 fighters and funds promised for development. Step-motherly treatment was what Pakistan got for becoming US ally during the ten years support of US policies in Afghanistan.

After October 7, 2001 when US led Coalition forces attacked and overran Taliban resistance in Afghanistan, Pakistan was sucked into the war against terror. The bellicose threat of President George Bush “Are you with us or against us”, un-nerved General Musharraf into capitulation, with disastrous consequences for Pakistan. Pakistan afflicted by sectarian and ethnic violence, was pushed into the center stage of the war against terror, and now on had to reckon with Al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorism. During the last three decades the Pakistani state and the nation has suffered from the unwise policies of it’s leaders.

The PPP led democratic government by its resolve to defeat and destroy terror, has ushered a new phase of determined resistance against terrorism and extremism.

Pakistan’s military victories in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan have strategic implications for the country and for the region. American leaders both civil and military have acknowledged the success of the plans and policy of the government of Pakistan, and the efficiency with which the military operations were conducted by the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force. Joint military plans were implemented with the fullest support of the government and the people of Pakistan.

The victory was assured by high morale, unity of command and cooperation between Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and the provincial and federal governments, and boldness of Pakistani soldiers and airmen. Hundreds of officers and men of the armed forces from all the provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan have embraced shahadat, so that the country lives and prospers. Defeat of the Taliban terrorists, death of their key leaders and commanders and surrender by some should have brought respite and peace. But large number of militants escaped arrest, and sporadic attacks are continuing. Having slipped into North Waziristan, Orakzai Agency and into the settled areas, they went on a rampage after the death of Baitullah Mehsud, and killed 1300 citizens in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lakki Marwat and Karachi. Clearly the terrorists are still at large, and must be traced and destroyed. The death of Hakimullah Mehsud is a grievous loss, but the war against terror must be continued to its logical end.

Pakistan has emerged as a frontline state at the center stage of the war against terror. United States of America, UK, NATO powers and even India are seeking Pakistan’s help to deal with the terrorist menace. But their support is conditional, and is motivated by selfish interests. Material and moral support for Pakistan is not forthcoming as it should be. The way US concerns are expressed does not help. The recent remarks of US Vice President Joe Biden that, “ his greatest concern was not Afghanistan, not Iraq, nor the Iranian nuclear crisis, but Pakistan”, cannot be brushed aside. “I think it is a big country, with deployable nuclear weapons and a significant minority of radicalized population. It is not a completely functional democracy”. Obama Administration admires Indian democracy, and India is rated as the fifth largest growing economy. Washington wants India to play a larger role in the region, especially in Afghanistan. Washington desires better governance, and rule of law in Pakistan.

Pakistan is being kept away from the political, strategic, tactical and developmental plans of the US and NATO in the region. Instead India is being made a major player in Afghanistan, which is against Pakistan’s national security interests. In November 2008 it was reported that much of India’s Afghan aid was being funded for anti-Pakistan activities. Indian Consulates and the RAW in Afghanistan were funding separatists and traitors in Balochistan, to stoke terrorism in Karachi and in Balochistan cities. Richard Holbrooke has praised Indian role in Afghanistan, stressing that it is vital for peace in the region. He added that India has a lot to offer for regional stability. He forgot sixty years 0f Indian violence, denial of human rights and rejection of Kashmiri self determination as per UN resolutions.

He said nothing about Indian deployment military forces in Jammu and Kashmir, and along the international border; which has curtailed Pakistan’s ability to play the desired role for regional peace, especially to defeat terror. US leaders do not mention India’s unfriendly and inimical stance, and conspiracies against Pakistan.

During his visit to New Delhi Defense Secretary Robert Gates applauded Indian restraint in the wake of terrorist attacks in Mumbai. India is being praised for being the biggest donor for investing 1.3 billion dollars on roads, bridges and agriculture in Afghanistan. New Dehli see’s itself destined to fix the mess that the US and UK are creating in Afghanistan. The government of Hamid Karzai rates India as a trusted ally, while Pakistan is viewed with suspicion.

American leaders advise Pakistan to do more, and desire Pak Army operations in North Waziristan to destroy the Haqqani network. Pakistan has declined to oblige. Pakistan is being taken into confidence about the reconciliation process with the Afghan Taliban, and efforts to integrate them into the Afghan government. Pakistan needs a friendly government in Kabul, and turmoil in Afghanistan could jeopardize Pakistan’s security. Islamabad has expressed its concerns that the US Army offensive in Afghanistan might push Al-Qaeda terrorists into FATA.

India has strategic interests in Afghanistan, and would like to see a Taliban free democratic Afghanistan, wherein India could exercise its influence and promote Indian interests. New Delhi rejects any Pakistani involvement of influence in Afghanistan. “New Delhi thinks that Afghanistan under Taliban would be an extremist factory run by Pakistani intelligence, fomenting insurgency in Kashmir, and terrorism in India”. How to remove this trust deficit will be a challenge for Pakistan.