Historically diplomatic relationships between Pakistan and
United States have often suffered due to changing policies of the super power,
which has its own agenda to pursue. Despite fighting the US proxy war in
Afghanistan for nearly four decades the US mantra ‘do more’ continues. Fighting
this proxy war has the biggest fallout in the shape of growing militancy in
Pakistan, influx of arms and drug and drug money.
The situation is really odd for Pakistan as it was asked to
support Taliban when USSR attacked Afghanistan in an attempt to get access to
warm waters. The friends turned foe when United States attacked Afghanistan on
the pretext that Taliban had provided safe haven to OBL. As the time came for
withdrawing US-led Nato troops from Afghanistan United sates divided Taliban in
two faction, good and bad. This put Pakistan at a very embarrassing point
because Taliban decided to take revenge from Pakistan Army for supporting Nato
troops. It made Pakistan jittery as bad Taliban were moved from Afghanistan to
Syria to fight yet another proxy war of United States. No one really knows what
will be the next US move.
As regards dealing with Taliban, particularly it offshoot
TTP and its accomplice LeJ, Pakistan has no option but to weed them out as
these outfits are openly challenging writ of the government. They are not only
killing innocent people but martyring soldiers and sabotaging sensitive
installations. On top of all they (perpetrators) very proudly claim
responsibility of killing and sabotaging. Ironically, armed forces and elected
civilian government don’t seem to on the same wavelength. The policy of
appeasing Taliban followed by the civilian government doesn’t allow the forces
to undertake ‘operation clean up’ or an open war as some critics prefer to call
it.
It is also evident that United States wishes to promote
India as ‘Regional Super Power’ by assigning it a role in Afghanistan and Iran,
assigning responsibility for maintain security in the Indian Ocean and also to
check China. All these objectives put Pakistan at a disadvantages position
because of: 1) unresolved Kashmir issue, 2) Pakistan’s relationship with Iran
and China and 3) Pakistan’s stake in Afghanistan. The dichotomy of US policy is
evident from India getting in reward ‘nuclear technology for civilian use’ for
deserting Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. While India has been
allowed to continue its oil purchases from Iran, Pakistan is being pressurized
to also quit Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project or get ready to face economic
sanctions.
One can say it categorically that the US policies have
always remained tilted towards India and Pakistan continues to play the role of
‘mercenaries’ in Afghanistan. Despite that Pakistan has been hosting millions
of Afghan refugees for nearly four decade, some of the ‘US Touts’ are
inflicting the worst damage on Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. Worst of all
these elements have been trying to create a breach between the two sects,
Sunnis and Shias, to plunge the country deep into anarchy. Destroying peace in
Karachi is the first target to put Pakistan’s economy in complete disarray.
Added to this is the US support for ‘Garand Baluchistan’.
The unrest in the province is affecting oil and gas exploration in the
province. Any action against the perpetrators is projected as exploitation of
Balochs and used for raising demand for an independent Baluchistan. If Pakistan
asks the United States to change its policies, it must be heeded for the good
of the region and not as a disagreement with the super power.
