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‘Govt must not restore NATO supply routes’
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Reopening the supply routes
No matter how convoluted or unnecessary the process, at least in the end the right decision was made.
No matter how convoluted or unnecessary the process, at least in the end the right decision was made. PHOTO: REUTERS/ FILE
For nearly six months, Pakistan has been holding out on reopening Nato’s supply route into Afghanistan until an unconditional apology was given for the Salala attack. Who knew that being refused an invitation to a Nato summit in Chicago was all it would take for us to change our minds? While the decision to allow Nato the use of the supply route is a wise one, it does raise a lot of questions, especially the way in which it was handled. For one, we have to ask ourselves if the incalculable damage done to ties with the US was worth it, especially since our demand for an apology was ultimately dropped. By allowing this issue to fester for so long, the government has also ensured that the right wing parties will now make political hay by taking out large street protests against the opening of the supply route. Nato trucks had always been targeted for attack by militants; by imbuing them with such symbolic significance the government has only made them even bigger targets of attack.
The sudden reversal also reflects poorly on the government’s position with regard to the military; this is clearly a military-approved decision. The men in khaki were seen coming and going from the presidency on May 14, suggesting that the resumption of supplies to Afghanistan could only be permitted with army approval. The US and its Nato allies, meanwhile, in a sign of where the true centre of power resides, conducted most of its meetings on the issue with the military. We have now also seen what the government thinks of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS). Among the many recommendations made by the PCNS, it suggested that supply routes only be reopened after negotiating a cessation of drone attacks with the US. That has clearly not happened, showing that the rest of parliament’s suggestions are also unlikely to be followed.
No matter how convoluted or unnecessary the process, at least in the end the right decision was made. If Pakistan wants to have any stake in post-war Afghanistan it will have to play ball with the US for now. It’s far better that we participate in the Chicago Summit than be cut out of the process altogether.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.
Reader Comments (10)
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Extremely disappointing editorial ET.
Who is going to benifit from the aid (if any) that will come after resumption of NATO supplies?
The People of Pakistan? Nah. Only the corrupt civilian & military ruling junta will have some more money in their coffers to plunder.
And who will bear the brunt of the “wave of suicide attacks” expected after the resumption (since you hand the militants a very good justification & propaganda tool for the attacks)?
Will Zardari or Kayani & their cronies bear the brunt? Nah. The common people (especially FATA tribesmen) and security personnel of lower cadres will become fodder of the wave of terrorism.
So NATO resumption brings more dollars for plunder to the ruling elite at the cost of the lives of the common people (especially tribesmen). Then how come this decision is sensible ET? (unless the US media funding is taking its toll on you guys too)
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@Tribal Insafian: “Extremely disappointing editorial ET.”
Lol, what can you expect from a newspaper that is a mouthpiece for liberals?
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@Tribal Insafian:
So the truck drivers awaiting the day they reopened are not people of Pakistan?
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@Imran Con:
Ohhh. In that case, how about allowing “Poppy growing”, “arms manufacturing”, “Heroine selling” and “Drug trafficking” too since hundreds of thousands of people depend on these SUPPLIES for their bread? How about legalising prostitution? extortion? Mercenary killings?
Basically there is no difference between allowing the nation to be destroyed through heroine or being destroyed through suicide attacks (by allowing supplies for a perpetually unending alien war, only for a few extra bucks to plunder).
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One have got no other choice but to accept whatever is put into its ‘kashkool, and especially during the annual budget-preparation days of the election year.It is the economic factor which dictates the political decisions and the approach of the rulers.The supply routes are being correctly opened and one has to accept and endorse the central point of your timely editorial. All well that ends well..Recommend
Stop the drama and start the business as usual. We do the right thing after we have tried everything else!
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@Tribal Insafian: “Who is going to benifit from the aid (if any) that will come after resumption of NATO supplies?”
Pakistan needs aid to address circular debt issue which is causing load shedding. Not just that Pakistan needs free weapons and spares for its military. There was also a risk that Pakistani exports to US and NATO countries would come undr scrutiny. This would have created a serious balance of payment crisis in Pakistan making it impossible to import items such as oil and gas for electricity and urea for agriculture.
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This is the right decision for Pakistan’s national self interest. Given that it was taken without any of the PCNS pre-conditions being met, it also proves that the earlier decision to stop supply lines was the wrong decision. Even worse was the decision to deliberately inflame public passion in a bid to gain negotiating leverage. This tactic was tried (and failed ) last year during the Raymond David fiasco and has been tried once more with similar results. When will the establishment learn?
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@Tribal
If someone does not agree with your anti-American views, does not make them American agent. Learn tolerance and teach it to your mullah friends.
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If they are making the routes open keeping in mind the upcoming budget, foreign aid, economic destabilization, foreign pressure, etc, they should have think of this before blocking the supplies. It is a matter of countries sovereignty and dignity. It is true, if USA does not help Pak budget wont even survive Pakistan for about 6 months keeping a side other numerous factors, but it is also important that USA has got lot of pressure, one way or another, and if this pressure is continued they will definitely accept the demands be it apology or drone strikes.
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