US congressman David Dreier has said that the views of one man do not represent that of the entire state, and that most US lawmakers do not agree with earlier expressed views regarding Balochistan.
David, who is also the chairman of the House Democracy Partnership and the House Rules Committee, was speaking on the issue of Balochistan and the resolution moved at the US House of Representatives.
“I believe that the statement of one member is not indicative of the overwhelming will of the US Congress or of the government,” he said, while speaking to reporters at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).
Congressman David Dreier is leading a US congressional delegation to Pakistan, which is the first ever high-profile visit from the US after the Salala incident plunged relations between the two countries to a new low. Twenty-four Pakistani soldiers were killed at the Salala check post by US planes in November last year.
In a strong reaction to the incident, Islamabad blocked Nato supply routes in the country and canceled a number of bilateral visits.
Replying to a question, Dreier said “the Salala attack was a sad incident”. He said military men and women both in Pakistan and US are courageous people, and the loss of lives of those who are focused on security was horrifying.
“We are deeply saddened, but it is a very complex situation keeping in view the challenge at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan; there is uncertainty at this border.”
He said, “We continue to condole those families who lost their relatives in this incident, but it is important for us to move ahead. I believe that this high level visit from the US, at the invitation of the government of Pakistan, is a clear indication of the desire to build these relations once again.”
He added that it would help in ensuring the goals of providing jobs, security, progress and prosperity in Pakistan.
Further talking about the Pak-US relations, he admitted that difficulties do exist.
“We have a common enemy, which is radical elements who want to kill innocent citizens, and we are determined to do everything possible to bring that to an end. It is the universal right of people to believe they can live in peace and security.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.
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And yet all Muslims were judged by what Osama Bin Laden did.
Almost all countries in the west are sick and tired of the double standards in Pakistan. Pakistanis a begging bowl and visa application in one hand and is burning US flags with the other. Other countries deal with us not because they want to but because they have to - its like having a dangerous pest in your basement - you cannot just leave it you have to do something about it. Almost every single terrorist plot has some connection with Pakistan. Our leaders tell us there is no terrorists in Pakistan and then Osama uncle is found in an Army garrison town. Our politicians attend rallies organised by banned outfits and extremists. Many Pakistanis living abroad are ashamed to even admit we are of Pakistani background. This is NOT the country that Jinnah envisioned it is NOT the land of the pure but is the land of the mullah and corrupt Pakistan survives on overseas Pakistanis sending money back home. If these remittences stop Pakistan will not survive. And the way we are heading soon NO country in the world will want to have a Pakistani come and work in their country. We will only have ourselves to blame. I am very frustrated as you can see so I am going to go and have a Shezaan drink to cool off!
Part of the US troops pulled out from Iraq were moved to Afghanistan. Now, part of the US troops shall be pulled out from Afghanistan, Where will they move? Your guess is as good as mine.
But in Pakistan, because of our own weaknesses, one statement (Mullen) and/or one editorial (Ijaz Mansoor or NYT), one piece of paper (memo) is enough to put the entire nation, from government to opposition, army to courts, media to masses into a frenzy and go berserk with statements, charges and counter-charges, futile investigations and the ultimate talk-shows circus.
Oh the US-PAK love
Hehehe... the Americans are playing good-cop-bad-cop and the Pakistani lawmakers may even buy it. But the fact of the matter is that the Balochistan movement has now assumed international stature and nothing is going to change that.
This is a case of tactical withdrawl by the US law makers to get much needed cooperation from Pakistan.