- Anil Narendra
Relations between Pakistan and US are heading from worse to worst. The recent stand off between the two countries is the result of NATO air raid on two Pak border posts in the tribal belt in the wee hours of 26 Nov. In fact, Pakistan has been complaining that US is attacking on targets inside its territories. Till now, these attacks were targeted on terrorist hideouts or terrorists in Pak territories, but in the recent attack, US had targeted the Pak Army through NATO forces. Osama bin Laden, too was killed inside Pak territory in Abbotabad. It was only after this raid that relation between the two countries had gone sour. But, now all limits have been crossed. Pakistan has formally contacted UN to lodge its protest and condemnation of this NATO attack. Pakistan's Ambassador to UN, Abdullah Hussain Haroon has written to UN Secretary General to inform him that in the attack by NATO forces on 26 Nov on Pak border posts, 24 Pak soldiers and officers were martyred and 13 other military personnel were injured. Haroon has also forwarded the statement issued by the Cabinet Defence Committee, which has strongly condemned this attack on Pak territory and considered it as a violation of its sovereignty. Pak government has also decided to boycott the important Summit being held on 5th Dec., in Bonn, Germany. Sharply reacting to this attack, Pak Army has called this attack without any provocation, shows the unrestrained aggression on the part of NATO forces. Talking to reporters at the Army Headquarters, Rawalpindi, a senior Army Officer, Major General Ashfaq Nadeem said that NATO forces had already been provided with complete information about the Pak border posts on Pak-Afghan border and they were also explained regarding these with the help of maps. Meanwhile, General Nadeem said that the area where the NATO planes had attacked, had already been cleared of militants and there was no infiltration of militants in that area. He also stated that NATO forces had also, earlier attacked during 2008, 2009 and 2011, in which 14 troops were killed and about 13 were injured. Enquiries were instituted in those incidents, but the conclusions are still awaited. After the meeting of the Cabinet Defence Committee, the Pak government said that US must vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days, as it launches drone attacks from that base. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision of boycotting the Summit being held at Bonn to discuss the future of Afghanistan. Afghan President, Hamid Karzai has also made a similar request to Pakistan. The new Pak sympathizer, China has also on Monday expressed shock over the NATO attacks on Pak border posts. Asking NATO to respect the Pak sovereignty, China has also demanded an enquiry into this incident.
Pakistan has upper hand in whole of this episode. The supply of logistics and petrol for more than 125 thousand NATO soldiers in Afghanistan is routed through Pakistan. If this supply route is blocked, it may create serious problems for US. The supply route through Pakistan has been a headache for US for long, as Taliban fighters have been setting the supply trucks on fire. It was safe for these supplies of weapons and petrol from Karachi port to Kabul under the protection of Pakistan Army, but in case Pakistan withdraws its protection, it would be very difficult for US to take these logistic supply and its soldiers to Afghanistan. As such, US has no other option but to depend upon Pakistan for continuity of its supply to Afghanistan. It may be called blackmail or pressure tactics, but one thing is sure that Pakistan will have upper hand and ultimately US will have to find a way out to appease Pakistan. But, there is one more alternative; US can declare war against Pakistan also. Under such circumstances, the whole region will plunge into tension. The US must keep in mind that Pakistan is a nuclear country and it can easily target NATO troops in Afghanistan. Then, America may be asked, how it can invade another country? Who has authorized it to set aside the sovereignty of a country and attack it at its will? The Pak Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar has called this an appropriate time to review Pak's relations with US. She said that US has been asked to vacate Shamsi airbase within 15 days. Khar said, 'we don't want aid, but we do want to live with dignity and respect.
Pakistan has upper hand in whole of this episode. The supply of logistics and petrol for more than 125 thousand NATO soldiers in Afghanistan is routed through Pakistan. If this supply route is blocked, it may create serious problems for US. The supply route through Pakistan has been a headache for US for long, as Taliban fighters have been setting the supply trucks on fire. It was safe for these supplies of weapons and petrol from Karachi port to Kabul under the protection of Pakistan Army, but in case Pakistan withdraws its protection, it would be very difficult for US to take these logistic supply and its soldiers to Afghanistan. As such, US has no other option but to depend upon Pakistan for continuity of its supply to Afghanistan. It may be called blackmail or pressure tactics, but one thing is sure that Pakistan will have upper hand and ultimately US will have to find a way out to appease Pakistan. But, there is one more alternative; US can declare war against Pakistan also. Under such circumstances, the whole region will plunge into tension. The US must keep in mind that Pakistan is a nuclear country and it can easily target NATO troops in Afghanistan. Then, America may be asked, how it can invade another country? Who has authorized it to set aside the sovereignty of a country and attack it at its will? The Pak Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar has called this an appropriate time to review Pak's relations with US. She said that US has been asked to vacate Shamsi airbase within 15 days. Khar said, 'we don't want aid, but we do want to live with dignity and respect.
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