As one would have expected, the Nato summit in Chicago seems to have run into quite a few hiccups, especially as far as Pakistan and America are concerned. Their bilateral relationship has, of late, been clouded by the Nato supply routes closure issue and it seems that leaving it unresolved was perhaps not such a good idea for Islamabad. President Asif Ali Zardari met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the body language that could be seen in the photographs of the meeting was one that showed the Pakistani side playing on a relatively weak wicket. The message sent to Pakistan is clear: either open the Nato supply routes immediately or prepare to face the consequences. More than a billion dollars in coalition support fund rest on our playing ball with the US, while reopening the supply routes will allow us to earn around one million dollars a day in tolls and fees.
For now, the main sticking point appears to be an apology for the Salala attacks. At this point, Pakistan should try and understand that it is unlikely to receive any apology. This is a presidential year in the US and Obama has already been slammed by his opponent Mitt Romney for always apologising for America. An apology for Salala will only make Obama seem weaker and unfortunately Pakistan will have to bear the brunt of this reality. The other outstanding issue is drone attacks. The Parliamentary Committee on National Security demanded an end to drone attacks as a precondition for reopening Nato supply routes. This, too, is an exercise in futility, not least because several drone strikes have taken place in recent weeks following the committee declaring its demands. Drones, America says, are a key feature of its war on the militants, and are feared as such by the latter. So perhaps, what Pakistan can demand is joint ownership or a joint monitoring mechanism. Besides, had we not allowed the sanctuaries to exist in parts of Fata and had shown the will to take them out, perhaps we wouldn’t have had to deal with the drones issue in the first place. We should realise that time is running out and that the rest of the world will move on, without us if it needs to. The endgame in Afghanistan has already been set into motion and Pakistan will find itself cut off and isolated should it not be open to compromise.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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Marium: Pakistan was not at 'war' with its own citizens back in 1971. In fact, majority of killings happened before the declaration of war.
Besides, US is in war with terrorists. It has stated that it mistook Army post for terrorist bunkers. As far as it is conerned it was part of fighting a war. Even the violation of Pakistan's sovereignty to kill OBL was the same. In case, PAF would've tackled the US team, you think they wouldn't have shot down a few Pakistan planes?
They killed Pakistan army men as part of their war effort. And they won't apologize for it.
That's the context.
The civilian Govt has no power over security or foreign policies. It is a puppet for the armed forces. The armed forces want the NATO routes opened and the release of coalition funds. However, they have painted themselves into a corner with their demands and by whipping up anti American hysteria in groups like Difa Pakistan. By refusing to open the NATO routes until the Parliamentarian demands are met ( which demands are in effect the demands of the army) Zardari has played a master stroke and the ball is back in the army’s court. At this time the army has neither the coalition funds, nor military aid, nor the money from the NATO routes, nor an apology, nor adulation from the public. What the army does have is its unsavory strategic assets and right wing parties, over whom it is fast losing control!
@ harkol
I do not want to come across as insensitive. I truly believe that Pakistan does owe Bangladesh an apology,
However , Are we at war with the US?? Context...No?
@harkol:
Forgot about apologizing to Bangladesh for what happened in 1971 (I am not not trivializing it), can Pak apologize for causing the Mumbai 2008 mayhem and taking the lives of 160+ innocents? The irony is that Salala happened on 26/11, the anniverary of Mumbai attack.
Message: You reap what you sow.
It is an easy decision. Let the US continue its threats. Pakistan can survive without US aid or presence. Do not open the supply route except on your own terms.
Pakistan wants US to apologize for what US claims to be a mistake. Fair enough.
But, has Pakistan ever apologized to bangladesh for the murder of a million by its army? If it is so difficult for Pakistan to say sorry, why would a country as big and great as USA say sorry?
Editors of Express Tribune: Are you on the side of Pakistan? It sure looks like you guys are playing role of American spokesmen. You are not standing up for Pakistan.
The trip was very,very successful according to your foreign minister.
DO OR NOT TO DO is the dilemma, the route has to be opened as we can not face the wrath of combined US and European nations. Now the option is how best we can bow out, I think we must create hype on the apology act until panneta agrees on 5000$ per truck and that will be the point when we must say that we are in fact, opening NATO for Europeans and not for US. Most parties of Difa-e- council have the main source of Chanda from European nations, I think those will also agree and tow this line. In the end only the Army will be left over and very rightly the CSF is not the catch as this money has already been spent as per pact, what's more in there for Army, ACTUALLY THAT IS THE CRITICAL ISSUE..?????
first become economically and morally strong, then ask for appology.
If the security establishment makes policy,then they should come forward and lead the discussions/talks and get blamed.Let the politicos continue what they do best--------STEAL US BLIND!
Or maybe the election has nothing to do with the American position -- maybe it's just a simple as what was outlined in the American investigation -- Pakistan fired first and mistakes were made by both parties. Lets not forget that Pakistan refused to participate in a joint investigation which would have allowed both sides to interview troops and their superiors.
Straight forward logical analysis without the usual rhetoric. Pakistan has to do the clean up job in its own backyard if it does not want the World to come in and do it. Sooner or later the US will come in and get the Haqqani network as well as the Quetta Shura, even if they are protected and kept in the cities. It will be no good for anybody's Ghairat and prove that the policy of lies has not been eschewed even after the May 2 2011 Abbotabad fiasco.
This opinion piece does not even speak for 1 percent of Pakistanis.
Pakistan will open the NATO supply routes because we are playing on a weak wicket. I am willing to believe in that logic, despite the fact that I as a Pakistani citizen see this as a compromise of our dignity.
I would however request our policy makers to please clearly lay down how they intend to use these dollars we gain?Cut with the rhetoric and give us a cohesive plan.. Lets bring some accountability in this argument, because if this additional fund is going to fill your coffers than your further stepping on a hurt nation.
It was spectular humiliation as Obama not only refused meet Zardari but he also deliberately omit him in the speech. Dont forget that Mr. Zardari just didnt walk into the summit without invitation. I just dont understand how you call it few hiccups. How about calling spade a spade and saying that it was a snub, which by the way international media is saying already.