Pak-US Relations: No More Free Lunches
Posted on 06. Jan, 2012 by Asif H Raja in Pak-US Relations
No Free lunch, Uncle Sam
No more business as usual with USA
By Brig Asif Haroon Raja
When the US decided to invade Afghanistan and topple Taliban regime led by Mullah Omar since it had refused to hand over Bin Laden suspected of being involved in 9/11 attacks, all the neighbors of Afghanistan including near neighbors supported USA. Among the immediate neighbors, Pakistan was the only country which enjoyed cordial relations with Taliban but still decided to go along with the decision of the international community. Even Russia, China and Iran antagonistic towards USA didn’t raise any objection. The reason was that all the regional countries were averse to extremist policies pursued by Taliban regime. It’s Sharia based ideology had become a threat to the six Central Asian Muslim Republics ruled by secular leaders, Russia, China and Iran. Islamic movements in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Xingjiang had drawn inspiration from Afghan Jihad and Taliban movement.
Iran was averse to Sharia based ideology of Taliban since it posed a challenge to export of Shiaism in the region. At one stage, Iran had deployed its forces along eastern border and had threatened to attack but backed off when Mullah Omar warned that Iranian military would get stuck in the glue of Afghanistan. Like Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan provided airbases to USA. India was most affected since the Taliban had almost wiped out its influence in Afghanistan and was desperate to regain its lost influence and thus gain entry into mineral resources rich Central Asia.
While all the regional countries had welcomed the US military action in Afghanistan, except for Karzai regime and India, all other countries now want the US led forces to pack up and leave. At the same time, none other than Pakistan want the Taliban to regain power. Even the US which is desperately trying to convince the Taliban to sit and talk wants them to share power with Northern Alliance as junior partners. Pakistan is an exception since it has suffered so grievously at the hands of Northern Alliance heavy Kabul regime that it strongly feels that Afghanistan under Taliban would prove to be a much better neighbor. Pakistan under no circumstances can afford to have hostile eastern and western borders.
The Taliban also know that they are friendless and the only country which has some soft corner and human feelings for them is Pakistan and none else. Although Pakistan played a deleterious role by assisting the US to forcibly topple an elected government in Kabul in November 2001 and till late November this year it was providing logistic supply routes to NATO containers, yet the Taliban are somewhat malleable towards Pakistan. They understand that Pakistan had no choice but to comply with George W. Bush’s dictates. They also appreciate that people of Pakistan have suffered a great deal on account of war on terror and that great majority dislike USA and sympathize with the cause of Taliban. It is in the wake of these varying impressions that the Taliban distrust all but they may listen to Pakistan to talk and work out a negotiated political settlement. They know that Pakistan has hardly any friend among the stakeholders in Afghanistan and others that are trying to broker peace.
So far the Afghan Taliban were rejecting the US dictated three-point peace formula and insisted that all foreign forces must quit to allow the Afghans to decide their own future. The Taliban demand release of their five prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. Their representative was not invited to Istanbul and Bonn conferences because of which the meetings proved inconsequential. Taliban have now agreed to open their political office in Qatar which is seen by western officials as a step towards reaching a negotiated political settlement. Afghan government and Afghan High Peace Council have welcomed it and said they have no objection to the Taliban-US getting engaged in diplomatic parleys. The US which till recent considered both al-Qaeda and Taliban as foes has now amended its stance by asserting that Taliban is not its enemy. In its keenness to expedite the process of reconciliation and early settlement, it may agree to release the prisoners to make the Taliban soften their stance. Sensing a change in atmosphere, a delegation from Hikmatyar’s Hizb-e-Islami met Karzai in Kabul.
The Taliban in Pakistan who have sworn allegiance to Mullah Omar as their supreme leader would stop hating Pak Army the day they are convinced that that it is not fighting America’s war for dollars. They admire the valor and determination of Army soldiers and grudgingly admit that they are tough opponents. They have also learnt to their surprise that both officers and jawans are God fearing Muslims. The stiff stance taken by the Army and ISI in the face of America’s belligerence has brought a slight change in their perception and attitude and they are actively thinking of coming to terms with the Army.
Maulvi Faqir, commander of Taliban chapter Bajaur who is now based in Kunar after he and his militants were shunted out from Bajaur by security forces in 2009 has expressed his willingness to negotiate on Pakistan’s terms. This offer was made in the wake of decision taken by the resolution of the two Houses of the Parliament that dialogue with Pakistani Taliban should be initiated and also after seeing that security forces had started defying the US. On the eve of New Year, Mullah Omar issued a leaflet in North Waziristan (NW) directing Afghan and Pakistani Taliban and other affiliated militant groups to stop their fight against Pak armed forces and refrain from killing innocent people in Pakistan. He urged them to forge unity for a single cause and to focus attention against ISAF in Afghanistan since the war was in a decisive stage.
He expressed his displeasure over suicide attacks, kidnapping for ransom which he said were un-Islamic practices. A five-member Shura comprising members from various groups including Hakimullah Mehsud’s TTP, Maulvi Nazir’s group in South Waziristan (SW), Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s group and Haqqani network in NW has been formed to ensure stoppage of un-Islamic practices and to punish the guilty in accordance with Sharia laws. Hakimullah who is finding it exceedingly difficult to keep his sub-commanders under his control after his ouster from SW, agreed not to target innocent civilians but said suicide bombings and fighting against security forces would continue. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan has exhorted Gen Kayani to hold dialogue with Taliban particularly when the US was holding dialogue with Afghan Taliban. He and Maulana Fazlur Rahman pressed the government to stop toeing America’s line and strive to enhance Pakistan’s prestige. Imran Khan who is riding the crest of popular wave has promised to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state.
In 2010, violence was at its peak. 10,003 fatalities took place in that year. 2011 saw a decline in terror related incidents as well as in drone strikes and casualties which dropped to 7,107. Total of 2985 violent incidents of all sorts took place last year as compared to 3393 in 2010. FATA was the most affected area followed by Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Fatality toll of 820 in KP in 2011 was the highest. 300 suicide attacks have occurred since 2004 and in this highest rate was in 2009. While the security forces remained committed in all the agencies of FATA and some parts of KP in 2011, their heaviest involvement against the militants was in Mohmand, Orakzai, Kurram and Khyber Agencies. All told, 144 attacks were launched in which 1016 militants were killed, 4219 arrested and 279 surrendered. 57 teenagers trained by Swat militants under Fazlullah to become potential suicide bombers have been rehabilitated by Mashal Institute opened by Army in Swat.
Politically motivated target killings in Karachi that had peaked in 2011 were brought under control in September after the intervention of Supreme Court and grant of police powers to Sindh Rangers at the behest of Gen Kayani. In Balochistan, the Frontier Corps has managed to keep the Baloch separatists on the run without launching any operation while the Army has kept itself aloof and is concentrating on development works in interior Balochistan including enrolment of Baloch youth in Army and converting Sui town into an educational city. Likewise, development works in war affected SW is going on under the direct supervision of Army. After inauguration of Wana Cadet College, another one will be launched in April this year in Spinkai Raghzai. Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies will also have cadet colleges.
Troublesome regions in Upper Orakzai and Central Kurram Agencies are being cleared of the presence of militants and substantial progress has been achieved. As a consequent to sustained efforts of security forces, incidents of terrorism in urban areas have almost ceased. Since the closure of NATO supply lines in reaction to Salala attack on 26 November, no drone strike has occurred. Visits of hard nose intrusive American officials have terminated and the people have not heard the nauseating do more demand for the last six weeks. While Pakistan is restructuring its foreign policy that had been tailor made to suit American interests only, the US is striving to normalize Pak-US relations but there will be no more business as usual. Process of peace with Pakistani Taliban should be given a push to end the self-destructive war on terror.
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13 Responses to “Pak-US Relations: No More Free Lunches”
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Brig Raja Asif Haroon
S Balu
06. Jan, 2012
WE HOLD PAKISTANI LEADERSHIP TO ACCOUNT for DEMAGE and DESTRUCTION usa/nato forces have brought to Pakistan!
Biggest issue is DRUG ADDICTION! POPPY CULTIVATION
TALIBAN HAD ELIMINATED POPPY CULTIVATION,nato/usa has openly encouraged it!
Muslims are the TARGET by these invaders!
NO CIRCUMSTANCES usa/nato supply route must REOPENED
Moshe Ben Ze'Ev
06. Jan, 2012
I am a Brigadier in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) . In a short while, I shall call Justice Chauduri, Kayani and Shuja Pasha and advise them to let go of Haqqani quietly. They will want money, and I will give them 500K each. Haqqani shall be allowed to go and the CJ will suddenly find no evidence in the memogate scandal. Haqqani will leave. By the way, at least 50 brigadiers and 18 generals, including Kayani and Pasha, are in the pay of the RAW-CIA-MOSSAD axis. They know that there is no hope left in the idea of Pakistan, and are gallantly fighting a reargaurd action to delay the inevitable breakup of Pakistan into more pieces. With the murder of Saleem Shahzad and Dr Baqir Shah, it is evident that the top rungs of the ISI and the Army have lost control of the lower ranks. Luckily, we have all the missile codes and the nuclear codes, and all your nukes and aircraft are now under our control.. At the flick of a button, I can switch off all power supply to Karachi, make the Taliban bomb you in Quetta, ground all PIA flights across Iran, and jam all drains and sewers in Lahore. I can make your president visit his chateaux in France while Sindh slips under flood waters. I can also cause dengue fever in Sindh. I also control the drones attacking you in FATA. I am controlling every activity of Hussein Haqqani and even General Kayani & Pasha. There is nothing you can do about it. All your F-16s, JF-17s etc are useles in the face of the drones I am controlling from Tel-Aviv. All your Ghauris and Abdalis are dummies … I control the gangs in Karachi. Tell me, what can you Pakistanis do about it? You are under total control of the RAW-CIA-MOSSAD axis. .
S Balu
06. Jan, 2012
Remember you have CODES ,someone has SUPERCODES i.e 256 SECURITY
GATES that can made VOID in flick of second!
But one thing is for sure CORRUPT Pakistani LEADERSHIP has to BROUGHT to JUSTICES for letting in usa/nato into Pakistan! As for You MY BOY I SAY again MY BOY Remember EXCUSE your zionist entity gave when Hezbollah sank your Battle Ship in 2006! i.e. going into Battle and your electrionics DEFENSES NOT SWITCH ON! Same applies here NEVER BECOME ARROGANT
Learn from nature DIAMOND the HARDEST MATERIAL KNOWN has ABSOLUTE WEAKNESS AT angle of Parting check out! I.e. EXPERTS can do this!
Do you want me to carry on?
Qader Khan
06. Jan, 2012
Fear not, O brothers! Operation Al-Boraq is in progress, the hour of Pakistan's glory, and the utter defeat of the USA-ISRAEL-INDIA axis is near! Our engineers have been tirelessly working in extreme heat deep beneath the Mexican-American Sonoran desert border to construct tunnels through which we have supplied suitcase-sized nuclear bombs to the faithful mujahedeen. Our faithful mujahideen in India, Israel and the USA have also been issued scores of suitcase-sized nuclear bombs to lie in wait for a signal from Islamabad. In phase 1 of Operation Al-Boraq, at the appointed sunset hour, upon a signal from Islamabad, scores of suitcase nuclear bombs will be detonated simultaneously in India, destroying for ever that den of infidels. In phase 2 of Opearation Al-Boraq, exactly 6 hours later, when night falls upon Israel, our mujahedeen shall detonate the nuclear charges in Haifa, Tel-Aviv and other cities, destroying for ever that country of sinners. 6 more hours later, Phase 3 of Operation Al-Boraq shall involve detonation of the suitcase nukes simultaneously throughout the major cities in the USA. Thus, within 18 hours, the world shall be rid forever of the 3 major centers of anti-Islamic thought, and Islam shall rule the world, with Pakistan as its leader! Nobody will know where the bombs came from, so there will be no fear of reprisal in any shape or form. Yes, no doubt a few good Mussalmans shall die in the process, but they are guaranteed heaven unlike the infidels. For the true believers there is never death; only heaven & its rewards. Qader Khan
Moshe Ben Ze'Ev
06. Jan, 2012
@ S Balu: Please caryy on. Whatever you say, we have total mcontrol over Pakistan, from the Acne on your teenagers faces to the number of mosquitoes buzzing around you. Please also tell me why Jinnah's descendants no longer live in Pakistan but have all migrated to India. JINNAH A TRAITOR AND HINDU AGENT?
Moshe Ben Ze'Ev
06. Jan, 2012
@ s Balu: why are you calling me "My Boy"? I am your father, call me Papa
S Balu
06. Jan, 2012
Moshe Ben Ze'ev,
What can I say! Papa has WISDOM and thinks before he WRITES !
You have NOT shown that!
As for Jinnah's decendant's CHOICE is theirs! They were NOT driven out of Pakistan!
As for Acne and Mosquito's buzzing around,CHARITY BEGINS at home! Remember Hezbollah has not only ACNE and MOSQITOs in JAFFA in their sights but KHAZAR INVADERS as well!
Try this TIME to GO UP NORTH let us see the PERFORMANCE your famed GOLANI Troops! With their MERKAVAS!
They cried last time in Bint Jabil! This time they will see their MAKER!
Moshe
07. Jan, 2012
@S Balu: Nobody in Israel cried. You might have cried when all your help didn't prevent tiny Israel from defeating massed armies 100 times the size of Israel's IDF helped by Pakistan over & over again.
Moshe Ben-Ze'ev
07. Jan, 2012
@SBalu: I don't understand. Why are you bringing up "Khajars"? As far as we are concerned, you follow the religion that the descendants of Ishmael founded. Who are "Khajars"? Try not to tell us where to go; as far as we are concerned, we have won every war against an enemy 100 times our size, and you have started and lost every war against India. Jinnah's descendants have chosen to live in a country that you regard as an enemy country, in a country he split away from. That irony may be lost on you.
Moshe Ben-Ze'ev
07. Jan, 2012
@SBalu: Also, your genetic make-up is exactly similar to those of the Indians. So why bring up "Khajars"? You are not even Arabs.
Tariq Shah
07. Jan, 2012
Pakistan is gaining ground against the Dajjals in our midst: We have got rid of the most dangerous agents of the RAW-CIA-MOSSAD axis: Mukhtaran Mai, Dr Shazia Khalid of Balochistan, Aasia Bibi, Salman Taseer (and his son), Saleem Shahazad, and now Dr. Baqir Shah. Hussein Haqani & Imran Khan only a few days away from being despatched to to Jahannam. We shall pursue and cut down these Jew-Hindu-Christian agents wherever they hide in our Land of the Pure.
S Balu
07. Jan, 2012
Moshe Ben-Ze'ev, It sounds like you are NOT TOILET TRAINED!!!! I know my genetic make up but your's IT IS POSITIVELY PROVEN not SEMITE i.e. you are CONVERT MASCAREDING as as SEMITE! probely eastern european origin!
Moshe Ben Ze'Ev
07. Jan, 2012
@SBalu: Lets return to the original question: What can you do about the fact that the nefarious Jew-Hindu-Chritan axis is to be blamed for everything that has gone wrong in your country, from Jinnah and Liaquat's death, your consective defeats on the battlefield, the birth of Bangladesh, the attack on Mehran, the uselessness of your politicians, your scientist's poor performance in international forums, to the fact that the Arab employers would rather hire Indians than Pakistanis, to the fact that you have the fastet-growing nuclear arsenal in the world (while you still rely on Western agencies to look after victims of the Kashmir earthquake and the Sindh-Punjab floods), the fact that your education system is only geared to churning out Jihadis? What can you do about it? We seemingly control the food you eat to the air you breathe (or so you claim). What can you do? HINT: Stop blaming others for your dismal failures and look within yourselves for answers.