It should be clear that our request to acquire such equipment is to ensure better safety of our troops in our counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
It is being suggested by those across the border that a potential deal to sell US military hardware to Pakistan may have negative regional security implications. However, such claims are certainly unwarranted. We know that the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles could be highly effective in protecting security forces from IEDs. Their efficacy was proved in protecting US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and as is, Pakistan had been previously supplied with 22 MRAPs under the now defunct US State Department’s Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund. It should be clear that our request to acquire such equipment is to ensure better safety of our troops in our counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts. Suspicion that such hardware will be used against Afghanistan or hurt its interests is unfounded. If Pakistan is better able to fight insurgents on its soil, this is a positive contribution towards regional stability, not the other way round.
Roadside bombs have the potential to deliver serious blows and hinder the movement of our troops. Despite these genuine concerns, the US has succumbed to Afghan pressure and the US Embassy in Islamabad issued a statement last month that Pakistan’s request expressing interest in buying the used equipment, will not be serviced by the equipment being sold out of Afghanistan. However, the US has rejected the Afghan argument that a deal would alter the region’s strategic dynamic. It is unfortunate that the Afghans felt the need for such an opposition and we hope that such notions will continue to be firmly dismissed.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2014.
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Don't forget it wasn't just the Afghan's that raised objections ... ET published articles indicating that some Pakistan officials said they weren't going to accept this equipment implying it was junk. Wouldn't surprise me if Pakistan didn't take the equipment .. Pakistan has a history of favoring anti American blather and saving soldiers from IED's may not trump chest thumping.