The western powers hypocrisy
THE western block supports the concept of human rights and equality but when it comes to testing they never follow the rules.
The international order demands all states under agreed rules such as international law, regional security, trade and cultural arrangements and immigration protocols. But, the advocates of international order seem to only demand developing states to abide by it.
In case the developing world tries to abide by the rules then the western bloc arranges strategies to malign them and bring them to their terms.
Pakistan, being a victim of such strategies is a glaring example. The western powers have used and abused Pakistan per their requirements.
They kept changing their tone towards Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan on a need basis. When required, they appreciated Pakistan’s efforts but when not required tried to put economic, cultural and trade sanctions on Pakistan.
The issue is if the western bloc believes in fair game and the international legal system then how could they do this to Pakistan? This is mere hypocrisy and selfishness of the western world.
It is the same western bloc that praised Pakistan’s role in the diplomatic evacuation from Afghanistan. Despite that, they conducted a hybrid war to malign, disgrace and shame Pakistan in the international community.
How do they malign Pakistan? I will quote three major events. (1) On 13 September 2021, the American Congress held Pakistan responsible for their failure in Afghanistan. Based on this, the US State Department shared they will reassess its relationship with Pakistan. Though, it’s the same Pakistan they requested to bring the Taliban to the negotiation table in Doha.
Pakistan played a positive role but is now held responsible for the US failure in Afghanistan. (2) On 15 September, the EU Parliament passed a resolution on Afghanistan and in this resolution, Pakistan was held responsible for the debacle in Afghanistan.
Based on this Pakistan GSP-Plus status should be suspended. However, Pakistan fulfils all requirements of the 27 trade-related International Treaties. But later on, an extension was provided.
(3) The New Zealand cricket team refused to play cricket at the final moment of the match due to security threats. As a consequence, on 20 September 2021, the UK also refused to play cricket in Pakistan. So is Australia expected to do so.
The above-stated facts suggest that the relationship of western powers with developing states is never reliable but based on western interests, only.
They simply use and abuse states as required. To understand that let’s discuss the timeline of their selfish and mean actions when it comes to the role of Pakistan in Afghanistan.
Almost all western powers appreciated Pakistan for its efforts in the evacuation of Afghan nationals, armed forces and diplomats. A constant exchange of calls between the West and Islamabad took place.
Many foreign delegates paid visits to Pakistan and never feared security threats. Such as on 15 August when the Taliban marched towards Kabul, the UK Foreign Minister called Pakistan’s Foreign Minister.
On 16 August Pakistan held a briefing for the diplomatic community in Islamabad and mentioned that they have created a 24/7 special cell, contact details of the concerned cell was provided in case of any query or concern and provided an on-arrival visa facility to the evictees.
On 16 August Foreign Minister for Pakistan received a call from the Danish Foreign Minister and requested Pakistan to help support them in evacuation.
They appreciated the efforts placed by Pakistan in the evacuation process of 431 Afghan nationals on 16 August and also assisted them in onward travel to Denmark.
The Foreign Minister conveyed a profound appreciation of the Pakistan Government’s assistance in critical hours. After this call, Pakistan received three more calls in the following days from the Danish government.
On 16 August, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin called the Foreign Minister of Pakistan to help with the evacuation plan. On 20 August Pakistan received another call of appreciation from the Danish Government.
On 21 August the Dutch Foreign Minister thanked Pakistan for their support and facilitation. On 21 August the Belgian Foreign Minister called to thank Pakistan. On 22 August the EU High Representative called to thank Pakistan and asked for further assistance.
On 23 August the Swedish Foreign Minister called to express their deep appreciation. Denmark and Pakistan Foreign Minister had a joint statement stating a heartfelt appreciation to Pakistan for the professional assistance and outstanding support to airlift vulnerable persons to Islamabad international airport for their continued journey.
On 31 August the German Foreign Minister visited Pakistan, thanked and asked for further assistance. On 2 September Dutch, Slovenian and Austrian Foreign Ministers called and thanked Pakistan.
On 3 September the British Foreign Minister and Italian Foreign Ministers visited Islamabad while the Romanian Foreign Minister called. On 8 September Poland called and on 10 September the Spanish Foreign Minister visited Islamabad.
But once all of their citizens were evacuated with the help and support of Pakistan they showed their true face by playing a dirty hybrid war against Pakistan.
On the refugee issue, the US demanded Pakistan to open its border but what it did to the Haitian refugees? How the EU responded to the refugees coming from Afghanistan? It is an eye-opener that the West has double standards for the developed and developing states.
When it comes to security threats in Pakistan when several delegates visited Pakistan they never feared it. But the cricket team which stayed here for a while had rehearsals but cannot play cricket on the final day due to a potential security breach that raises eyebrows.
The way Jacinda Arden handled the Christ Church massacre she became popular in the Muslim world.
But, the way New Zealand became a target of an Indian fake news propaganda campaign sets alarming consequences for the western powers becoming a target of the Indian defunct info lab. It sets a lesson for all developing states that western powers are selfish, self-centred and mean.
Once their job is done you are no longer required. Pakistan is strategically put in an embarrassing and demanding situation to keep it at its terms.
The question is why are they doing so? Maybe, they never want to see a stable Pakistan but a struggling one.
The western powers wish to brush their garbage left in Afghanistan under Pakistan’s carpet. But, since Pakistan says ‘Absolutely Not’, Pakistan has to pay the price.
—The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Government and Public Policy, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, NUST.
