Pakistan-US relations: JuD chief wants referendum
The letter, which is in the context of the current debate in the parliament on recommendations on foreign policy and US-Pakistan relations, offers five main points:
Firstly, Saeed states, that it would be a dangerous step for the parliament to amend and accept the alleged secret agreements between the US and Pakistan made during General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s regime. It compares the agreements to those between the East India Company and Mughal leaders, and says this would lead the way to ‘American and European slavery’.
He argues that reopening Nato supply routes would “damage relations with China” and that the government should not reverse the steps taken after the attack on the Salala check post. He also claims that offering India trade routes would affect the China-Pakistan relationship.
Saeed says that if the attacks on Nato containers continue after the government reopens routes, the US/Nato forces will use this as a pretext to send its forces into Pakistan. He also alleges that the US has never respected any agreements with Pakistan or parliamentary resolutions, and says that the US wants to continue drone strikes which will lead to suicide attacks in Pakistan.
A copy of the letter can be seen here.
COMMENTS (16)
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This man represents a minority in Pakistan.He is not wanted here. He spreads the venom and hatred that made my country hated all over the world. He is a liability. We should hand him over to the USA and pocket the $10 million.
If people of Pakistan don't want to make India as their most favorite nations, why is the govt, and american touts imposing this decision on Pakistani people, if they govt like India so much they should migrate towards their but, making him as most favorite nation will only bring more hate towards India in the people of Pakistan http://syedowais.blogspot.com/
Well people will be answerable for their own acts,
I beg to differ from most of the posters. I think a referendum is an excellent idea. Its is pure unsullied grassroots democracy. For better or worse, the government is the servant of its people. Its people are paramount. And those who fear Talibanisation, remember that in national elections religious parties always got trounced. But Mr Saeed's point has less to do with religion and more with national survival. After all, it was the Westernised liberal Pervez Musharraf who played the role of "useful idiot" to get us in this latest mess in the first place.
People who believe that the US and its minions are doing God's work in Afghanistan, and have been doing so in Iraq and Palestine are entitled to their opinions. But wouldn't it be fair to allow the rest of the population to also express their views in a referendum ?
I have finally figured out where this man's hateful lashing out originates. He has a beard inferiority complex. He has to obsess over religion so he can live in denial that one day his prayers of a full, thick beard will one day become reality.
By the way, who are you Sir. Our country had enough of your likes so better concentrate on your charity works if they really are meant for any charity.
Have a referendum and then live with the results. The results of a referendum would reflect the will of the people which means the people would be prepared to live the results just as they are living with the power outgages resulting from investing in nuclear weapons and not power generation.
Why not send LeT leader Hafeez Saeed to China on pilgrimage ?
How laughable to hear uber religious factions looking to China as a panacea. They see no space for religion except in tribute paying states as a means of control.
We the "Hindi Muslims" (Allama Sir Muhammed Iqbal's phrase not mine, he never ever wrote "Pakistani Muslims") need to come to the recognition that our roots are in the Indian land, languages and culture. Before the "Patriots" start firing their misguided missles towards me for labelling us "Indian" the River Indus is the origin of name "India." We make ourselves laughing stock of the word when we try to link our geneology to Arabs, Turks or Persians. Why would anyone insult their great great grand mothers is beyond me! And The Hazrat Maulana would have an opportunity to go for annual pligrimage to Deoband if the relations with India are normalized; a huge bonus!!
The comments show the narrow mindedness and tunneled vision of people. What he has asked is a referendum, which is very democratic. But Alas! Every body can't get out of thier personal bias. Pakistan is just crushed by arrogance cum ignorance of liberal and religious zealots. No space left for a free inquiry and suggestions to issues. What a sad and pathetic situation.
JuD asking for a referendum...that's rich. I doubt they will be so keen on having a referendum if they were ever (God forbid) in power.
"offering India trade routes would affect the China-Pakistan relationship." Saeed should also see this picture of chinese boss with Indian PM and Russian PM hand in hand like De fai council photo ops " http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17545347"
How about a referendum on banning all such parties that back terrorism? and how about handing over of terrorists to those countries which have been targets of all these terrorists here who hide themselves under the banners of such parties like JUD and Lashkars of all names? How about it?
This guy needs to get a life! Its the 21st century and the world is a global village. China does more trade with India by a big margin then with Pakistan. Why would they care if we opened routes for them. The same goes for the NATO/ISAF supply routes, dont think China cares a hoot. Seems they have all forgotten then after the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 floods the US did more for Pakistan in terms of aid/help/logistics then any other country including the Saudis and the Chinese!!!!!!!!