US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter’s interview with BBC Urdu has created quite a buzz. The ambassador did not mince words and told it like it is. Statements like “Pakistan should not be part of the problem; it should become part of the solution” can be taken as friendly advice from the ambassador. In diplomatic parlance, this is a polite way of telling Pakistan to put its house in order. Despite the reopening of the Nato routes, relations between Pakistan and the US remain tense. Many in the US believe that Pakistan is the reason why peace in Afghanistan remains elusive. Ambassador Munter was of the view that by blocking the Nato supply routes, Pakistan had alienated its allies who are fighting the same terrorists that we are also fighting.
Our skewed policy of ‘strategic depth’ has led to the concept of ‘good Taliban’ and ‘bad Taliban’ even though the Taliban are one and the same, i.e., terrorists. Those who think otherwise should be reminded of how the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan beheaded our soldiers and released a video of the callous act just recently. The Taliban are not anyone’s assets; they are liabilities. If we are indeed covertly supporting the Afghan Taliban, we are, in effect, digging a grave for ourselves.
Apart from discussing Pakistan-US relations, Ambassador Munter’s statement related to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has created some controversy. When asked if it is worrying for the US that the 2013 elections in Pakistan may lead to the formation of an anti-US government led either by the PTI or the PML-N, the ambassador said he has met Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif and both assured him of a pro-US government if they came to power. If these assurances have indeed been given to US officials in private, is it not hypocritical of Mr Sharif and Mr Khan to fan anti-Americanism in public? Our political leaders must stop misleading the public in such a manner.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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Imran and Nawz both are fooling public by showing a different position in public.
Exposes PTI as simply pragmatic opportunists. IK is playing popular politics and making a fool out of public!!!
Imran Khan is anti-war, not anti-US.
What role did Mr. Cameron Munter played as an ambassador to Pakistan in bringing down " wall." Infact the fact is another wall built to keep out. Democracy is about braving to extend a hand. The ambassador lost a good chance in bridging friendship. Pakistani value independence as much as any American. Where is the door to American Center you promised? America is about land of the free and not putting up Walls.
"Our political leaders must stop misleading the public in such a manner." This kind of misleading starts for the school curriculam in pakistan, Why dont u start correcting from there.
Opposing Washington DC policies is not anti-Americanism. In fact, helping them to understand certain hard truths regarding their failed policies is being "pro-American". Does that make everyone opposing Pakistan's policies anti-Pakistani? Either way, it's about being pro-Pakistan, not anti or pro anybody else. Also, does helping the US kill Pakistani civilians and servicemen "digging our own graves"? Cartoon logic per usual from Entertainment Tonight.
Imran Khan never have an anti American stance , but IK alwayas been an anti war, His positioning is that Pakistan should never be a part of this war, If self determination is anti American , Than you should question your own thinking. May be you find your self hypocritical ....
Who should we believe: Munter, an American, or Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, Pakistanis both? The answer is obvious, isn't it?