Some recent actions of the government and military make it seem as if the biggest problem facing Pakistan is the sheer number of CIA spies overrunning the country. The commission tasked with investigating the raid that killed Osama bin Laden has shown far greater interest in investigating how many visas then ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani gave to Americans than figuring out how the world’s most notorious terrorist found refuge on our soil. So far, the only person to face punishment for Bin Laden’s presence in the country is Shakil Afridi, a doctor who assisted the US in finding the al Qaeda leader. Keeping all this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the new target is the respected NGO Save the Children, six of whose foreign workers have been told to leave Pakistan after being accused of introducing Afridi to the CIA.
Granted, it should come as no surprise to those who are familiar with the CIA’s history that the intelligence agency would seek to recruit both local and foreign NGO workers. But there is a difference between noticing this possibility in general terms and making very specific accusations against individuals. By singling out the workers of Save the Children, the government has made all of its 2,000 members prime targets for militants. That this has been done without providing any proof is even worse. Now, every foreigner working in Pakistan will be viewed suspiciously and will find it even harder to work here.
The state is operating on a double standard. Our problem does not seem to be foreigners whose loyalty lies to an outside entity so much as it is a specific type of foreigner. Those accused of serving the interests of US intelligence are forced out of the country. Those who we know serve at the pleasure of the transnational al Qaeda get to operate with impunity. From these two groups, only one is actively involved in murdering Pakistanis. Yet, it seems that we our saving our wrath for the other of the two groups.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Angry: By the way, a NOVEL is considered a FICTIONAL work! Please tell us who has killed nearly 40,000 Pakistanis over the last decade? Their deaths were REAL, and certainly not by the hand of some NGOs from afar!
An excellent editorial! Thanks God that there are still people in our media who have the courage to speak out the truth despite the growing jihadi trend and lack of space and attitude for truth and difference of opinion.Dare I ask who was punished for hosting OBL in the safe heaven near Kakul?
This is an editorial?
I'll have to disagree with the al-qaeda comment. It's a matter of record that Pakistan has caught scored on Qaeda operatives. Facts should not be compromised in favour of a catchy paragraph.
My Dear ET, you are confused, like everybody else in this country. You are advised to read the novel - The Quiet American - by Graham Green. I am sure it will help you give another perspective and hopefully you will stop writing these useless and directionless pieces.
Worth repeating.
Social development is not the core activity of any foreign NGO working in Pakistan. For sure they are spying and should be kicked our ASAP.
A nation communicates its policies and outlook through its actions not words. The propensity to blame other external agencies for failures and after effects of national policies adopted since Independence means those taking decisions have failed to identify the problems and will never be able to address them.
What about CIA contracter, Raymond Davis? Did not he kill Pakistani?
@kaalchakra: Are you serious? American "spies" are the least of our problems.
the respected editor is not concerned about the millions of children who are at higher risk due to CIA?? and no blame for CIA?? and how does this expulsion of foreign staff make Save the Children pakistani staff vulnerable - it's no news - everyone and everyone already knew. I really don't get it should we discourage CIA or should we encourage it to continue in this manner through NGO staff at the cost of aid work and at the cost of children's life in this case? the comparisons of those foreigners and these foreigners would mean if u are wrong there stay wrong here also ? what's the solution?
@kaalchakra: People would further confirm their worries about inbreeding as well if you did.
So will all the sons and daughters or Generals and Brigadiers who work in STC resign? They shouldnt want to associate themselves with spies now would they?
Very well written. Unfortunately this state of affairs is set to continue.
ET should be very vigilant against American spies infiltrating its workforce. if any of my posts is ever censored, I would have reason to suspect American hand.