Sequel
to reopening of NATO supply
Dr Raja Muhammad Khan
Sequel to the NATO supply restoration by Pakistan, there has been many
debates about its positive and negative impacts. The Government feels that
resumption is in the best interest of Pakistan, whereas, all religious parties
are protesting against this reopening.
These religious-political groups under the banner of Defence of
Pakistan Council (DPC) are organising rallies all over the country. The
opposition under PML (N) is apparently opposing the decision, indeed for the
public consumption. Practically, they are part of the decision.
Indeed, under global system, where globalization is the order of the
day, no country can afford diplomatic isolation. Pakistan, owing to its
location, has been relevant to the international community throughout its
history. During the period of cold war, though it has been more close to the
Western bloc under United States, yet it maintained its relevance for both the
Eastern and Western blocs. Unfortunately, its Western allies have used the
Pakistani geopolitics for their own interest without giving any worthwhile
benefit to it. Rather, they did not hesitate to harm Pakistan, whenever it
resisted fulfilment of their ultimate objectives. Killing of 24 Pakistani
soldiers on November 26, 2011, by US and NATO forces during aerial strikes on
Salala Military post was one such event, in the recent history.
First time in its history, Pakistan dared to say no to US and West.
After the incident of Salala, it stopped NATO supplies for almost seven months,
despite the US pressure and fear of diplomatic isolation. Its stand on the
issue was principled and it remained steadfast throughout. Indeed, the Salala
was a national issue and Pakistani nation resisted all sorts of pressure so that,
NATO and U.S must realize their blunder of attacking the Pakistani military
post, indeed, violating the Pakistani sovereignty. US apology on the incident
after seven months, indeed, became a compulsion for it. Its supplies through
the Northern route were becoming extremely difficult and expensive.
Furthermore, the move back of heavy equipment of NATO and US in the wake of
likely drawdown needed the shorter route through Pakistan.
For the assistance of international community, Pakistan has opened the
route through its soil which is an indication of its cooperation for the
collective benefit of the globe. Indeed, it never becomes a hurdle except
asking for the apology which US should have done, consequent to its deliberate
aggression. According to a well known writer, "US was ready to convey its
'regrets' over the Salala incident as early as February this year, compensate
the families of the martyred soldiers and officers and make some high-profile
promises and financially beneficial packages to Pakistan as long we agreed to
bury our anger, along with our dead, and moved on."
In his opinion, perhaps, Pak Army did not agree to this. The writer has
his own views, but the fact is that US attitude has been very offensive and
uncompromising throughout, until the apology by Secretary Clinton on July 3,
2012. After the incident, Pak Army took a principled stand over the losses and
violation of its sovereignty with the Government of Pakistan. Since the issue
was national, rather between two armies, therefore, Khakis were not in a
position to compromise. It is unfair to say that, on the issues of national
security, "Those in Islamabad must either move in concert with Rawalpindi
or be ready to move out." Indeed, after seeking details of the incident
from Pak Army high command, the Federal Government handed over the issue to the
Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security. The committee which comprises
of distinguished MPs from all political parties debated the issue from all
aspects and formulated recommendations, later passed by the Parliament for the
future course of action.
It is indeed wrong, but easy to put blame on military for anything
happening in the country. I would rather say that it is a media game of
misleading the general masses that anything happening in Pakistan is being done
by Army or else, Army is not allowing the civil governments to exercise its
true role. Media anchors should play positive role and true projection of
events, rather creating hate and misperception about an institution, responsible
for the security of Pakistan.
The incumbent Prime Minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is on record saying
prior to according sanction for the resumption of supply line for the NATO and
US that, because of stoppage of supply route, Pakistan's relations with over
forty-eight countries are being affected. Indeed, the political leadership
decided that now it is about time to open the NATO supply, after a formal US
apology. Surely, the Military commanders had to follow the decisions of
political leadership as per the constitution of Pakistan.
Sherry Rehman, Pakistani Ambassador to US, has played an important
role, during the process of reconciliation. In her interview with CNN, Rehman
said that, "Today and yesterday mark a historic turn in the relationship.
We have been able to, I think, turn towards building on this opportunity and
halt the downward spiral (in Pak-US ties)." She also emphasised that we
have resumed the supply route without any additional fee that means that
Pakistan is committed to peace and cooperation towards its western neighbour
and international community. In fact, "We are not going into an
architecture of levies or transit fee that other countries do charge and may
continue to charge. "For us, it is a commitment for stabilizing Afghanistan
and it's our very major contribution to (establishing) peace in the
region."
Reopening of the supply route is a positive gesture by Pakistan. Now US
and EU countries must reciprocate. Opening of the route despite the opposition
of masses is a big risk, Government has taken. Now once the supply has been
resumed and there are hopes that there would be improvement of relations
between Pakistan and United States, the media, the scholars, and the academic
community have a role to put across and pursue the Pakistani interests to
international community and US. The world must be made to realise the price
Pakistan has paid during this so-called war on terror. The nation has to act in
harmony without creating a dissent between its institutions. A united point of
view will strengthen our national standing.
Rather
strengthening its bases in Afghanistan, it is expected that with the opening of
the GLOCs, NATO and US will speed up their withdrawal from Afghanistan. While
respecting the Pakistani sovereignty, US should reduce drone attacks on
Pakistan. It should pay back the entire balance amount, it owes to Pakistan on
account of CSF and as promised in KLL. Most of the payments are held up since
last almost a year. Besides, US can be persuaded for the improvement of road communication
between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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