The real fact is that a war has been raging in our country for years. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The issue of drones which fly silently over our territory is creating more and more confusion under the shadows that fall as the aircraft hover over villages, searching out their targets. The action by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to block Nato supply routes as a protest against the drones, of course, highlights the matter of the violation of sovereignty and the civilian deaths that the strikes cause. These deaths, of course, need to be condemned in the strongest possible terms and indeed, the drone strikes may constitute a violation of international law as some agencies have suggested.
But let us keep things in some perspective. The drones go after individuals and groups perceived by the US as its enemies. Washington has made it quite clear that it will not stop these attacks and will continue to hunt down strategic targets. It must also be said that over the past years, there has been remarkable success in taking out key figures, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan leaders, through the drones and the missiles fired down from them. Had this not taken place, Baitullah Mehsud and Hakimullah Mehsud may still have been amongst us today. While Imran Khan says the strike in the settled district of Hangu constitutes an act of war as it is the first such action beyond the tribal areas, why should we not ask whether this ‘war’ had indeed begun in 2011 when US forces raided Abbottabad located only a short distance away from the federal capital to ‘take out’ Osama bin Laden. The raid on a madrassa in Hangu changes nothing.
The real fact is that a war has been raging in our country for years. It is fueled by the fact that networks such as that run by the Haqqanis continue to function from North Waziristan. We need to ask ourselves why this is the case and why, when groups within our country put up strong stands against drones, they do not also do so against outfits that operate from our soil and work against the state’s interests. Clearing up this matter must be our prime priority and the sooner we gain clarity, the better it would be for all of us.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2013.
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@faizaan: Mubarak became enemy of US? When? It is the gyptian people who threw him out. Libya was an ally of US? When?
In any case pretty much everyone understands that interests are permanent not friends. That is why Japan and Germany are now friends of US.
There is no reason for Pakistan to align its interests to US but in order to practice an independent foreign policy, it needs to be economically independent. Despite all chest thumping this is not the case at this time.
Also hopefully you were not indicating that creating jihadis is in Pakistan's interest?
@faizaan: So harboring terrorists is Pakistani interest then.
I am not an expert. But have gut feeling that as long as USA feels the level of commitment from your end by either verbal or action, drones will hover in the region. If they consider the option, it will for sure be in their interest and timing. Who is going to ring the bell is unclear. May be it is the power game, but who is going to wink for the innocent public. In the name of power and political bickering, Your leaders could not educate the mass about the harsh reality. My heart goes for your political as well as army class for being in rudderless plane inspite of my regrets and avertions for happened between us. I pray wisdom prevails and make you to coexist in this part of world with out bloodshed, commotion and lead a peaceful blissful life you deserve. Not everything lost. Look back once and you all know how to reposition your nation. Your departed would have expected this from you. Mumbai taught me to have faith and grit to over come hurdles. Sometimes one also learns from other's adversity. With hope.
So our interests should always be in line with America Interests?..that is quite a difficult proposition because many of US 'allies' later were turned into 'enemies' by the Americans-while they did not do anything to US. Examples include Noriega (Panama) Saddam(Iraq), Mubarak (Egypt),Qaddafi(Libya).Assad(Syria).
What happens when the USA departs -- Pakistan going to find a new boogeyman for why the terrorist haven't changed their way? Look out India because your probably next in line.
The American targets are only known to them, first of all. These are the targets made after 9/11 mostly which are the targets of today. Why don't our elites understand their old relationships. Once Osama bin Ladin and Mullah Omer were American friends became its enemies. This means it is the American perspective of making friends and enemies at its own will not on the Pakistani peoples' will or that of Afghans or Iraqis.