Afghanistan, NATO and Pakistan

The Pakistani government cooperated with the US government in the invasion of Afghanistan by allowing air-base and transit facilities for military supplies against popular sentiment. The cooperation grew as it was beneficial to both parties. However, a mistaken nocturnal helicopter attack on a Pakistani hill-top check-post on the Afghan border killing 28 soldiers resulted in severe public backlash and closing of the NATO supply routes. The US government shrugged off the incident with utter contempt adding fuel to the fire of indignation. The Peoples Party government that is already very unpopular is in no position to reopen the supply routes. The resulting public anger may topple them in a matter of days. They have also made a demand of apology from the US government from which they cannot back out without losing face and probably next general elections.

The other sore point in the relationship between Pakistan and USA is the occurrence of regular drone attacks in the northern border areas. On average for each allegedly suspected terrorist about a dozen innocent civilians including women and children get killed in these attacks. Most people consider the action barbaric and a recurring violation of national sovereignty. Although the selective assassination of identified terrorists is of tactical advantage to the Pakistani military, it resents it for its own reasons. Both American and Pakistani intelligence services have infiltrated the terrorist organizations and have agents in their ranks from whom they receive useful information. Before a drone attack, the pre-warned American agents escape to safety while the Pakistani agents get killed. It is not acceptable to the Pakistani military. Infact, the conflicts in Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan could have been won long ago if mobile phones in those areas were jammed, but for thr the lust of intelligence activity.

Now that the NATO has finally decided to withdraw from Afghanistan by 2014, which very few people believe, the scenario should change. A foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would perhaps be the best thing that has happened on earth for many years. It could also end many of Pakistan’s vows. And since Pakistan had helped them in going in, it seems morally obligatory that they should be helped in getting out. Pakistan should give the NATO forces a safe passage for withdrawal.

The Americans and the Europeans may be planning to leave Afghanistan; but they do not seem at all interested in future political stability there. Had they been, they would have been talking to the countries surrounding Afghanistan to obtain guarantees that they would not support factions close to them in their infighting and transform it into a civil war.

There is also need for a broad-spectrum intellectual movement and people friendly actions by the Americans and Europeans who may genuinely feel contempt for the Pakistani leadership to change the paradigm in Pakistan.