Pakistan United States Relations: Tying Loose Ends
At this juncture when two of the deadly foes, United States
and Taliban fighting a war for more than a decade, are getting ready to shake
hands, the time has come for Pakistan to revisit its relationship with both.
Hamid Karzari, President of Afghanistan is soliciting help of India to manage
his country once withdrawal of US-led Nato forces is complete.
To arrive at any meaningful decision first the history of
Pak-US relationship needs to be explored. It is difficult to recollect all the
events taking place since 1947 but a few deserving full attention are: 1)
Pakistan spying USSR for United States during cold war era, 2) Pakistan
broking in establishing US-China
relationship, 3) Pakistan fighting US proxy war after USSR attacked Afghanistan
with the help of Taliban, 4) Pakistan fighting against Taliban when US attacked
Afghanistan and now 5) Pakistan fighting with different militants groups within
its territory that are funded by some external powers that adamant at plunging
the country deep into anarchy.
Almost at the end of each phase Pakistan had to pay huge
cost. When USSR threatened to attack Pakistan, the then prime minister asked
United States to give protection but he was assassinated. Many Pakistani still
wonder; was he killed by USSR or United States?
Once Pakistan took the then US Secretary of State Henry
Kissinger secretly to China United States achieved a major breakthrough but
India imposed war on Pakistan in 1965. Interesting Pakistan and India signed an
agreement in Tashkent but Indian Prime Minister died in a mysterious manner. In
Pakistan riots started against the then President Ayub Khan and he had to step
down in 1968.
In 1970 general election Awami League of Sheikh Mujeeb
attained majority but he was soon arrested and trialed. Mean time riots started
in East Pakistan, India helped rebel group called Mukti Bahini. India also
attached West Pakistan. The war ended on a bitter point, more than ninety
thousand troop surrendering and East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh.
In West Pakistan Zulikar Ali Bhutto became Prime Minister.
He with the help of some Muslim countries strived hard to restore confidence of
public. He very tactfully arranged for the reorganization of Bangladesh at the
historic meeting of OIC in Islamabad. However, after much talked about rigged
election, religious parties pushed him to a point where another martial law was
imposed in the country and Ziaul Haq took over as Chief Martial Law
Administrator and then President of Pakistan. To prolong his tenure he
announced to impose Shariah system in the country.
Soon after his takeover of control of Pakistan in turmoil,
USSR attacked Afghanistan in an attempt to get access to warm waters. United
States took it as a major threat to its hegemony in the region and very aptly labeled
this proxy war Jihad. While military support was given by Pakistan and GHQ
became the control room, to get ground support Ziaul Haq sought help of two religious
leaders, Mulana Fazau-ur-Rehman and Mulana Smai-ul-Haq arranged for thousands
of Mujaheddin, who were later on known as Taliban.
USSR lost the war because of internal issues and its forces has
to withdraw. United States instead of rebuilding war torn Afghanistan also took
quick exist. This plunged the country into civil war as ample arms were
available but there was severe shortage of food and basic facilities. At that
time Taliban led government was installed in Afghanistan but the country
remained plunged in anarchy. Taliban government enjoyed direct support of Saudi
Arabia and Pakistan and indirect support of United States.
Then came 9/11 that changed the global political arena, OBL
was alleged for masterminding these attacks and United States attacked
Afghanistan and status of Taliban changed from friend to foe. Pakistan was once
again told to join the crusade or face the same faith. Realizing that India was
keen in exploiting the opportunity to join United States and also settle its
own score on Kargil, the then president Pervez Musharraf joined ‘US War on
Terror’.
To give Musharraf’s regime legitimacy entry of Benazir
Bhutto was facilitated into Pakistan. However something went grossly wrong and
she was assassinated. Philippine story was followed and Benazir’s husband Asif
Ali Zardari finally rose to the position of President of Pakistan. During the
currency PPP-led government some highly undesirable event happened that
included attack on military post in which many soldiers were killed, OBL
hideout was found near federal capital and he was finally assassinated but his
body was not shown, people still don’t believe this story and openly term it a
hoax call.
In the recently held general election the results paved way
for installation of PML-N government at federal and Punjab level, PPP
government in Sindh, PTI government in KP and nationalists’ government in
Baluchistan. Ironically, these parties have not reconciled that they rule the
respective provinces and have to cooperate with the federation on national
priorities.
During the elections Taliban emerged friends of PML-N, JI,
PTI, JUI-F but worst enemies of ANP, MQM and PPP. However, off and on Taliban
attacked election meeting of their supported parties. They have become fully active now, after the
announcement that United States is getting involved in negotiations with Taliban.
Many Pakistanis fail to understand that while drones attacks
on Taliban staying in Pakistan’s tribal areas are still going on why United
States is holding direct negotiations with Taliban? One has the reasons to
suspect that the hidden agenda is different from declared agenda. It is also
felt that Pakistan is once again being marginalized and India is being given
the status of regional super power.
One of the conspiracy theories is that now United States is
working on creation of an independent and greater Baluchistan, comprising of
one slice each from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. This proposed country will
be rich in natural resources and all the super powers will have their share in
the booty. This will also help in waging war on Iran and Pakistan.
It is feared the proxy war has already started and killing
of people and bomb blasts are aimed at starting civil war. This is not diabolic
thinking but based on the prevailing ground realities: 1) presence of ruthless
killers, 2) tons of arms and money to support the perpetrators and 3) above all
support extended at the global level for establishing an independent
Baluchistan.
Supporters of Independent Baluchistan have been active for years.
Their endeavors will yield result only when Pakistani society is fragmented.
The nation is already divided into sectarian and linguistic groups that are adamant
at killing their enemies and undermining writ of the government.
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