Drone attack and after

The question is what role is the Pakistan’s government playing in the continued drone strikes on Pakistan soil.

The matter of drone attacks on our soil has haunted us for a long time. We are now learning that in the case of these attacks by unmanned aircraft from across the Afghan border, making statements is easier than taking actual action. In the years before the PML-N government assumed power, the party’s senior members had spoken out strongly against drone strikes. But now, following the biggest drone attack since the PML-N government took over, we see little difference from the approach of the previous government.

The drone strike on a residential complex near the Miranshah Bazaar in North Waziristan killed 17 people early on July 3 . The target is unclear. A previous drone strike in June had killed seven. Clearly, the US is continuing with its policy — perhaps with fewer attacks — as suggested earlier this year by President Barack Obama. The question though is what role Pakistan’s government is playing. The suspicion for years has been that Islamabad secretly backs the attacks or, at the least, allows the US to proceed with them. This allegation of complicity has most recently been referred to again by Afghan army chief General Sher Muhammad Karimi, who has openly said that Pakistan works with the US on the drone attacks. He has also spoken of a dichotomy in policy from Pakistan as far as different factions of the militants go.

The issue of mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan is a grave matter. But most serious for us is the question of honesty from our own government. If there is a deal of some kind, we, as citizens, need to know about it. We also need to know what is being done to forcefully go after the militants on our own, and thus build a stronger case with Washington on drone attacks. The rumours have lingered for too long. They cannot be allowed to continue, given the distrust this breeds between the people and the government. The PML-N must now show it meant what it said on drones and the violation of territorial sovereignty they involve. No nation can afford this.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2013.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.