As the U.S. presidential election draws closer, pressure from the Bush Administration is mounting on Pakistan to deliver more terrorists. President Bush wants to win the election at all costs. Even if he has to open a new war front for this purpose, he would not hesitate to do so – although it will be a grave mistake. Under orders from Bush, Pakistan has to capture Osama bin Laden, so that Bush can stage an electoral victory.
That’s why coalition forces tightened the noose around the Taliban inside Afghanistan and the Pakistan Army launched military operations against the Taliban in border regions like Wana, Shakai and Khuzdar.
Never mind that Pakistan itself is facing an adverse fallout due to these military operations, especially in its Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Pakistani military forces are frequently targeted in these regions and innocent lives are lost almost every day. Government spokesmen are parroting the old and oft-repeated claim that Al-Qaeda’s back has been broken and that “we are making life miserable for them.”
But on the ground, things are going in the opposite direction. Pakistan’s future prime minister, military commanders and the entire leadership are in hiding. It reminds me of an incident with Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, who ruled parts of Pakistan in the undivided India under the British raj. Ranjeed Singh was fond of huge military spending. He spent huge amounts of money on uniforms and the acquisition of weapons for the army. He left no stone unturned in his effort to match the military might of the British forces. One day he invited the British viceroy to India over to lunch. The viceroy was presented with a guard of honor by the Maharaja’s army, which impressed him immensely. At the end of reception, the viceroy asked the Maharaja: “Is there any thing I can do for you?” The Maharaja replied that his forces, deployed in the mountains of Kashmir, were having a tough time with jackals, and requested that British troops be sent to eliminate them.
The same situation is true of the Pakistani Army today. What can one expect from an army that cannot protect itself? The weak-willed jackals of Al-Qaeda are attacking our troops like lions – sometimes they target our helicopters and military installations. Instead of decreasing, the number of attacks is growing from Wana to Gawadar. Some natives of Pakistan’s Balochistan Province and Sardars [chieftains] are also behind these attacks, inciting local, illiterate people against the government, in order to achieve their own selfish ends. Attacks on gas pipelines and other vital installations have become order of the day.
The Pakistani government continues to get blackmailed by these tribal chieftains, who feel that the province is not getting its share of royalties on its natural resources [Balochistan has vast natural gas resources]. The government needs to disclose the exact amount of money paid in royalties to these tribal chieftains to invalidate their claims.
The Pakistan Army is trying to resolve this issue through military means, which is a flawed approach. It’s a political issue and should be resolved politically. But unfortunately, the Pakistani government does not like the politicians who can be of great help in resolving this issue and has appealed for help to politicians who have no roots in the Balochistan Province or the foresight to resolve the issue amicably.
These so-called politicians always want to stay in power, regardless of who is in the government. They pretend to be more loyal than the king. These opportunists part ways with the government the moment they realize that it’s going to fall, and realign themselves with the new government.
Meanwhile, more than half of our army, which used to be heavily deployed on the eastern border with India, is now on the western border with Afghanistan. Despite the huge presence of the Pakistani Army, Al-Qaeda seems to be stronger, making lightening attacks on Pakistani forces and disappearing into the mountains.
It is here, precisely, where the United States – which claims that Pakistan is their strongest ally in the war against terror – creates more problems not only for the Pakistani Army but the country at large. U.S. Under Secretary of State John R. Bolton frequents Islamabad bringing in new demands and leaving new orders. I have never heard of an American who visited Pakistan to sightsee or to express solidarity with their Pakistani friends. Those who travel the distance come to fulfill their own agenda.
Just last week, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell called on the Pakistani foreign minister, who was in Tehran on a visit. Nobody knows what the actual point of discussion was; our foreign minister would only tell us that Powell wanted to discuss Kashmir.
As the U.S. elections draw nearer, Washington’s demands on Pakistan increase. The arrest of senior Al-Qaeda leader Ahmad Khalfan in Pakistan is of immense importance to Bush. That’s why Powell impressed upon Pakistan to hand him over to the United States as early as possible, to strengthen Bush’s election campaign. As well, President Pervez Musharraf will have to intensify military operations in the Balochistan and North West Frontier provinces and catch another big fish to help pave the way for Bush’s electoral victory.
The question is, if Bush is defeated by Kerry, wouldn’t the new president demand the extradition of Al-Qaeda suspects who are in Pakistan’s custody? Wouldn’t he take measures against Pakistan’s nuclear program? The Bush administration already introduced a bill in the congress to suspend U.S. aid to Pakistan. If approved, then Kerry, as president, would not certify Pakistan for aid and U.S. sanctions against Pakistan would automatically take effect. Is this the reward for Pakistan becoming America’s lackey?
A prudent approach in this situation is for the Pakistani leadership to seek national reconciliation. The two prime ministers in exile, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, must be allowed to return to Pakistan and be made part of the national efforts to strengthen the country to face future challenges. President Musharraf must take advice from all political leaders on the matter of national security and take the necessary measures, even if it means sacrificing his own ambitions. Pakistan’s military junta must contemplate a simple question: Is Pakistan important for the United States? If the leadership insists on a military solution, then Pakistan will fulfill the long-standing desire of the United States, Israel and India: its own disintegration.
