NATO
supply reopening & expectations
Dr Raja Muhammad Khan
With the formal apology from United States, Pakistan has decided to
reopen the logistic supply for NATO and US forces from its soil. The supply
route via Pakistan was closed after US forces attacked Salala military posts of
Pakistan in Mahmand Agency on November 26, 2011. The decision to reopen the
route has been taken in the meeting of Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC),
following the formal apology from US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton on
July 3, 2012. In her apology statement, Ms Clinton said that, “We are sorry for
the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working
closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening
again.”
Nevertheless, the fact remains that, Pakistan never wanted to prolong
this suspension of the logistics supply, had US done so earlier. U.S has
realized this after its sufferance of enormous economic losses while getting
its logistic supplies through from the long northern routes, passing through
Central Asia. As per a statement of the US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, “the
blockade was costing the US military an extra $100 million (£63 million) a
month to get supplies into Afghanistan.
Secretary Panetta also appreciated the decision of Pakistan and said,
“As I have made clear, we remain committed to improving our partnership with
Pakistan and to working closely together as our two nations confront common
security challenges in the region.” Earlier Mr Panetta has made some
extraordinary statements against Pakistan, during his visit of Pakistan’s
eastern and western neighbourhood. He even threatened Pakistan in the words
that, “We are reaching the limits of our patience here and for that reason it’s
extremely important that Pakistan take action.” This statement of Secretary
Panetta was quite foul-mouthed and taken quite seriously by Pakistani nation as
whole.
Pakistan has always sought good relationship with United States and
international community as a whole based on sovereign equality and mutual
respect. Traditionally, it is said that, great nations and great personalities
have the moral courage and accepts the mistakes they made and do not hesitate
in rendering the apology over those. As a super power, U.S would have been much
honoured, had it accepted this mistake, rather a blunder, its forces committed
deliberately on November 26, 2011. Besides avoidance of extra financial losses,
a timely apology could have saved both sides from many misunderstandings,
created since the occurrence of the incident.
By re-opening the logistic route for NATO and US forces in Afghanistan,
Pakistan has fulfilled its commitment for the global peace and facilitation for
larger good of the international community. Now it is the responsibility of the
international community, United States and its EU partners to own and pay
respect towards the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan. As said by Pakistani
ambassador to US Ms. Sherry Rehman, “We appreciate Secretary Clinton’s
statement, and hope that bilateral ties can move to a better place from here. I
am confident that both countries can agree on many critical issues, especially
on bringing peace to the region.”
US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, who had a key
role in convincing the Pakistani leadership to this entire process of
reconciliation, also said in a statement that, this decision of reopening the
logistic supply is, “a demonstration of Pakistan’s desire to help secure a
brighter future for both Afghanistan and the region at large”. Furthermore,
Pakistan has not asked for any additional transit fee, for this logistic
supply, thus lessened US financial worries.
These extra-ordinary good will gestures of Pakistan for NATO and US
demands that, this alliance should reciprocate positively towards Pakistan and
lessen Pakistani difficulties in combating the terrorism and extremism from
within Pakistan. Pakistan also expects that, ISAF and ANA bridle these
elements, causing instability and lawlessness in Pakistan, having their bases
in Afghanistan.
After
this good will, Pakistan also expects the West and United States to stop
patronizing, and funding the Baloch decedents. Pakistani masses would like that
those sought self-exile in US, UK and other countries of EU and even in ME
should be repatriated to Pakistan for their better future in their own country.
Whereas U.S and its European allies have to do this all, someone from Pakistani
Government should officially demand for these actions by U.S and EU. Indeed,
sequel to this great step by Pakistan, let there be mutual respect for the
sovereignty of each other and all should work for the peace and stability in
Afghanistan
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