Sikandar Noorani
MEETING between Pak PM and US President on the sidelines of Davos World Economic Forum seems more than a customary diplomatic engagement. Prior to this high level meeting, top American diplomat Alice Wells reached Pakistan for a lengthy tour. Obviously, Alice’ tour and Davos meeting have a linkage amid ongoing important regional developments. President Trump, who is due to visit India in the last week of January, has once again made an offer to mediate between India and Pakistan over decades long Kashmir issue. Recently, UNSC held a second closed door session on Kashmir situation where more than eight million population has been facing horrible state sponsored atrocities and an inhuman lockdown. Echoing of word Kashmir on international forum like UNSC within a span of four months alarms many bells for India. In April this year, OIC will be holding a special ministerial session in Islamabad on Kashmir issue.
It is a well-known fact that upcoming OIC session on Kashmir issue emerged in the backdrop of KL summit. Despite being heavily criticized by emotional quarters for not participating in KL summit, at this stage, Pakistan seems partially successful in applying its weight to project the core issue of Kashmir at the top forum of the Muslim world. Indian desperation over Kashmir’s uncontrollable projection on international forums and media is likely to multiply with President Trump’s recent (repeated) offer of mediation. Besides using time tested weapon of baseless propaganda, New Delhi is likely to play with fire of state sponsored false flag operation with ultimate objective of maligning Pakistan and the freedom movement with terrorism. While dealing with the precarious situation of Kashmir, Pakistan has to maintain a cautious acceleration towards restoration of peace in Afghanistan as well. Arrival of Alice Wells in Islamabad, for an unusually lengthy tour, immediately after visiting New Delhi is enough to reflect the importance of agenda.
Appreciation made by Alice Wells about Pak efforts to meet the FATF requirements needs to be clearly understood. As per media reports, issues of illegal migration and INGOs were also discussed in length. Official statements are painting a rosy picture on the basis of Alice Wells’ specific appreciation on these issues. Real concerns are deeply layered under usual diplomatic conversations and customary statements. American concerns revolve around two main problems. First, peace agreement in Afghanistan! Two, China’s strategic expansion through mutual cooperation with its allies. These two American problems, once multiplied with Pakistan’s issues, make the whole scenario complex! Peace in Afghanistan is a desperate desire on both sides of Durand Line. It can only be ensured by gradually reducing the foreign interference which seems an almost impossible option under existing situation. America and its strategic ally India are thickly engaged with each other on South Asian chessboard which has rightly ignited concerns in major regional players like China and Russia. This complex game of conflicting interests is much beyond the limited capabilities of Islamabad. Pakistan has been battling against terrorism which emerges from Afghan based Indian proxies. Deteriorated economy has added to Pakistan’s vulnerabilities which are being openly exploited by New Delhi at forums like FATF. Urge to strangulate Pakistan is so strong in India that recently appointed Chief of Defence Staff, the foul-mouth General Bapin Ravat, could not resist from making demands for blacklisting Islamabad. Vague talks about peace in Afghanistan should be made specific and clearer. In principle, only a Pak friendly or at least neutral and proxy-free Afghanistan can be termed as peaceful! Any deviation from this simple principle means continuation of past fatal practices of playing devious games at the cost of local stakeholders.
Pakistan, being a neutral supporter of peace, should ask Washington and Beijing to settle their issues directly through non-violent means. Cooperation with extra-regional or local stake holders should be closely conditioned with reciprocating response on core issues. Islamabad should not hesitate in describing Kashmir dispute, Indian sponsored terrorism, RAW backed Afghan based proxies and economic deterioration as the core issues. Pleasant remarks by President Trump about bi-lateral relations might not address the complex problems being faced by Pakistan. So is the case about appreciation made by Alice Wells who had been lecturing Pakistan on ill effects of CPEC, a few weeks ago. Anti-Pakistan Indian proxies and peace efforts cannot exist simultaneously in South Asian region! Prior to lecturing or asking Pakistan to do a job, USA should harness its strategic ally India to refrain from playing with the fire. America should, in first place, apply its weight on FATF to let Pakistan come out of grey list. If it wouldn’t happen, then surely the recent appreciation by Alice and pleasant remarks of Trump are nothing but a hollow lip service to exploit the vulnerabilities of Pakistan. A compromise on the core issues of Pakistan must be avoided to avert the fatal consequences.
—The writer is a free lancer who often contributes in national news papers.
