KARACHI:
In Pakistan, blaming the US for all of the country’s woes is a national pastime adopted by every political party and religious group, regardless of whether they are believed to be right-wing or secular.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is no exception. Even though Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab, has been railing against accepting US assistance, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan assured the US in 2008 that he and his party were pro-American.
According to a US embassy cable released by WikiLeaks, “Saying that his wife and children in fact are American, Nisar did admit that he went to the US Embassy in London to renew his daughter’s passport because he wanted to avoid being seen at the US Embassy in Islamabad.”
More telling, however, is Khan’s stance on US military action within Pakistan, and how the PML-N would act to remain “publicly credible”.
Khan reportedly avoided saying that the PML-N opposed either air attacks or US ground action, contrary to its reaction over the May 2011 raid in Abbottabad by a US Navy SEALs team which killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
“What he did say was that the PML-N would have to criticise the Government of Pakistan for allowing US action. Otherwise, said Nisar, the party would have no credibility with the people.”
Khan said that US policy needed to be more transparent as “confusion bred unhelpful conspiracy theories”. He also told US diplomats that former president Pervez Musharraf was seen as too pro-US and so was “tainted in Pakistani eyes”.
The release of the US embassy and consulate cables in Pakistan has also highlighted how various politicians have lobbied American diplomats for support. From Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) to former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, every major politician in Pakistan has looked to the diplomats for help.
Qureshi, who was believed to be one of the contenders for the prime minister post in 2008, is described as “ambitious, and has been self-promoting his candidacy for prime minister with foreign diplomats.” He also told US officials, “If I am prime minister, I am not going to be Zardari’s ‘yes-man.’ I am loyal to the party and to Zardari, but I am my own man.”
In January 2008, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders also asked the US to change their perceptions about the party. Mustafa Kamal noted that the US had not condemned human rights violations in Karachi during the 1990s, and the ambassador said that while there was a perception that the MQM was more of a criminal group than a political party, the US had noted MQM’s efforts to improve its image and activities. The cable states: “Saying that the MQM was now popular and had an expanding power base, Kamal urged that the US ‘stop ignoring us’.”
Farooq Sattar and Haider Abbas Rizvi also urged the same, and Sattar asked for US government assistance “in convincing the Canadian immigration service to stop listing the MQM as a terrorist organisation”.
The Pakistani military, for its part, made its feelings about US pressure very clear. In 2006, then Director of Military Operations Brigadier General Nasser, upset at suggestions that Pakistan was not doing enough in the war on terror, told visiting US officials: “When you say ‘we are not doing enough,’ we say ‘go to hell’.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (26)
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@afridi: the patch of jet black hair is a wig,watch closely
@sajid ahmad: or we don't discriminate even if the person lacks dignity. That would be the more sane view.
PML-N has always played America, in fact today there is no party that can take independent decisions safe guarding Pakistan's interest, sovereignty and pride. They are playing friendly opposition and sharing what others are doing. Now this has become a matured practice to watch each other's interests.
Its not Ch Nisar but PML-N supporting the drones. Shame be upon these self styled saviours of Pakistan. They are the ones who are destroying us.
@Azfar Mahnood Azhar: To a great extent, I second you :)
Double faced characterless people
He has a twin personality. He is not alone as all politicians get something from USA including Religious parties. Remember the one who speaks against USA. Its for the public consumption otherwise they are for USA. These people are so characterless that they will sell their mothers, wives and even daughters to curry US favor. These so called politicians cannot stand up to the army because of their dubious character. They are filth that the nation dispose them off now
.
I'm not a good fan of politician, neither of Nisar: <p
Well, people take negative aspect very quickly. <p
They have cleared it out by declaring that his daughter was born in USA and due to that she got American Nationality. And then parents can also be eligible for same.<p
So I think, having an American Nationality is not a big problem. Actual problem is their Politics, how they play and what they play.
@Maira I am not for any political party in Pakistan, simply because they are all liars. As for Imrans "niyat" that is something that only Allah knows, so you may choose to trust something you have no knowledge of if you believe that is the smart way to go...at times the best of intentions bring pain.
Only Pak Army can defend pakistan from these American and Indian funded politicians
These corrupt politicians have been tried and tested...imran khan is the only hope left, I will inshAllah come to pakistab especially during elections to cast my vote for him, we all must make a special effort to vote...unless we stop being indifferent nothing is going to change...we must take some action...i say imran khan as pti is the only party where politics isnt a matter of inheritance , pti is the only party that has resisted comming into power with principle comprimizes, its the only party which is being run by talented professionals who arnt from politicalbackgrounds...who are willing to put in the effort to change this nation...we must too.. Besides we all trust imran khans niyaat...y not give him a chance...
We don't really have any truePakidrani politician in Pakistan now except Imran Khan and MQM. Disregard Altaf Husain's actions and style and look at it with all honesty.
MQM is the only party which has it's elected members coming from the common man and from the grass rots of Pakistan. They are the only party which has done some real parlamentaion work by submitting the realistic bills in the national assembly.
I would suggest the partnership between Imran khan and MQM will change the future of Pakistan. Imran put asside all the differences and make a coalition with MQM and the entire Pakistan will be behind you. Please don't make any mistake this time as I like you to bacine the most powerfull priminister of Pakistan to make our beautiful Pakistan back on the prosperity respectful track.
May Allah give you every success.
Ameen
Well...my Sleepy Nation...!!!
I think we will never ever wakeup...!!!
I think if his family is US national its not a problem as long as at least he is doing something good for the country.
If someone's dad or cousins have foreign nationality will you call them culprit??? such a cheap, narrow and biased thinking buh!!! ...
if his family have US nationality then his nationality should be checked , if he have no US nationality then fine, even though if he have still if he is doing good for his own country , where his dad and other family members been its the best thing, if he isn't then we should think of something else..
I duno why pakistani nation is so damn Jazbati in useless thinking and pasting stupid comments..... You people couldnt do anything of Altaf who is in Britain , having UK citizenship.... and you speak about other people.. ... well i don't take it as enemies of country as long as they are good for country and its citizens.
Salam
Amjad
this is no wonder that Mr.Nisar is also exposed. Good news is that now we are understanding the pakistan politics and politicians in a better way than ever. I sometimes wonder that how Imran Khan can keep himself away from being a hypocrite; in Pakistan this is the need of the hour. Is he actually a good person? However this time I will vote for him to see what different he can do. I hope that unlike Mr.Obama he can truly bring about "the change we need" in this country. lets see
if these political leaders have to seek help from US diplomats in order to stand a chance of success, doesn't that corroborate the accusations that the US is the one pulling the strings in this country and at the very least, is indirectly responsible for the mess we are in?
lolz.... puppets of america
I quote: "In 2006, then Director of Military Operations Brigadier General Nasser, upset at suggestions that Pakistan was not doing enough in the war on terror, told visiting US officials: “When you say ‘we are not doing enough,’ we say ‘go to hell’.”....
I dont know much about Brigadier General Nasser, but he has more balls.. than anyone else.
Sovereignty is a commodity which is facing extinction .. good going pml n .. following the foot steps of BB
@afridi: Dude its photoshoped.
Another victory for Imran Khan
love his jet black hair..
see his wife and kids hold US nationality..... what else to say!! do you guys still believes in these parties.
Hmm, Ch. Nisar's wife and children have American passports ?. You know, when you apply for citizenship/passports of the USA, you pledge allegiance to that country and promise to safeguard it's interests, etc. . Is it any wonder then, that all these pond scum politicians, of every stripe in Pakistan, have no loyalty, dedication, interest in the past, present and most importantly, the future of Pakistan. If it were up to me, all such characters, who have affiliation and/or interests abroad, would immediately be banned from aspiring to, much less holding, ANY public office. . All hail Gen. Nasser. If anything, he communicated the true sentiment of the Pakistani people to these American ghuss baitheay.