US attempts to weaken Pak Army

Saturday, July 21, 2012 - THE US House of Representatives has cut $ 650 million from military aid to Pakistan in an attempt to pressurize and weaken the Pakistan Army. The move will send a wrong message to the people of Pakistan where there is already strong opposition to the reopening of NATO supply routes for American and other forces in Afghanistan.

During debate on the Defence appropriations bill, Republican Congressman Ted Poe made a ridiculous and unfounded charge that Pakistanis have proved to be deceptive and deceitful and a danger to the United States. Another Republican Senator Rand Paul is seeking a direct vote in the Senate to end all aid to Pakistan if Dr Afridi was not released. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman was perfectly right in her comments on the development that it is not so much about the cuts or the money but it is the message it sends to Pakistan. Despite financial losses of more than $ 70 billion and over 35,000 people’s deaths in the fight against terrorism, it is unfortunate that the US lawmakers and leaders are blaming Pakistan for all their failures in Afghanistan. Pakistan Army suffered more casualties than all the NATO forces in Afghanistan in fight against terrorism. Pakistan has deployed more than 1,50,000 troops on the border with Afghanistan to check infiltration, which is more than the number of NATO forces in Afghanistan and thus bearing extra-burden in addition to suffering casualties. Pakistan Army is committed to preserve national security, is a force to be reckoned with and the cut in US aid would not affect its capabilities. However we would caution that the move by the US House of representative is ill timed and it will certainly increase the trust deficit. We wish the US leadership would show farsightedness and realize that it needs Pakistan’s help in the region and avoid taking steps that increase bitterness and misunderstanding.