Kerry-Lugar Bill; Success of Zardari Regime?
By Haris Hashmi • Sep 25th, 2009 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 8 CommentsOne day is a long time in the world affairs. As the Biden’s proposal to withdraw troops currently engaged in counter-insurgency and nation-building, and instead focus on counter-terrorism there and in Pakistan rapidly materializing and soon we are going to see major shift in the Obama’s policy for this region, carrots are also on the way.
The present regime is dancing with sheer joy on the streets of Washington and in the castles of Islamabad as world leaders show up in the meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (Note: China and Saudia didn’t attend). In the meeting, Obama won the “hearts” of current “rulers” by announcing that US senate has approved the Kerry-Lugar bill and to make ther matters more colorful, English premier said that he is also going to give away fifty million pounds in aid. Kerry-Lugar bill Pakistan will provided financial aid of 1.5 billion dollars per year for five years.
Scent of the aid was already in the air and Karachi Stock exchange sky-rocketed while the other exchanges of the region became dumb-founded and the trade was high in KSE and brokering was proactive. The pawns of politicos were upbeat since this morning as they had got the whiff they have managed to get yet another chance from the masters in Washington coupled with aid nuggets to survive economically.
Things are not that simple, yet they are good for Pakistan as the military forces have done wonders on the defense front. They have eliminated the terrorists from the Swat region and have largely controlled the things in Waziristan and other agencies, though in these areas pickets of resistance remain and sporadic attacks go on. Washington considers it as a threat and as Taliban shift their focus on Afghanistan due to the success of the Pakistan Army in FATA and Swat, NATO forces suffer badly.
The reason why Pakistani forces are successfull in FATA and NATO is an utter failure in Afghanistan (both areas are similar in culture and terrain) is that Pak Army understands it through and through and they have got will to fight, where as the NATO forces lack both. CIA and Pentagon is reluctant to accept that fact and that is why they are resorting to aimless Drone Attacks and blame game about Quetta Shoora. That is why by giving aid to the political leaders, they want to get them at their side to pressurize the security forces to launch full scale military operation in Waziristan and in Balochistan.
Obama, you want help? Obama you want change? Obama you want to protect your citizens? Well, then you need to trust and sought help from the people of Pakistan. You need to empower them, you need to get in touch with them. You need to enable them and you need to stop this Aid-Drone game. You know that right now Pakistan Army is popular and the so-called democratic dispensation is unpopular, because the former is aligned with the ground realities.
- Let me do the duty of Anne W Patterson, and tell you what you should do, Mr. Obama:
- Alienate Al-Qaeda from Taliban. Give that task to ISI by placing Saudi Arabia in supervision.
- Strike accords with Taliban in Afghanistan with the help of Pakistan, Saudia Arabia and UN.
- Pull troops out of Afghanistan and place in UN peace keeping force comprising of Muslim countries.
- Shower modernity in Afghanistan and FATA and Balochistan.
This is the surefire way to save life and money for the US, Afghans, Pakistan and the world. I wish I could at least make sure that this suggestion reaches you somehow. Alas I wish !!!
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I am a wanderer. Been to More than 30 countries and still in the quest of exotica. Whereever I go, I come back to Pakistan.
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It is claimed that previous government left some 16 Billion in reserves when they departed and it is said that it took just one year that new government was back knocking at IMF door with the begging bowls. What difference could Kerry-lugar 7.5 billion make which will be dished out at the rate of 1.5 billion per year under a strict scrutiny and subject to our proper accounting and proper usage.
When all the way we had gone to IMF for money there is no harm asking few friends like we have—- our Friends of democratic Pakistan and to ask them to spare some money? We are certainly not finding all this embarrassing that after getting passed the kerry –lugar bill in US senate and additional promises from friends of Pakistan; there is a rejoicing all over in the lobbies of Islamabad.
But will this 1.5 Billion per year will make any difference in the life of a common man in the street—- that is—– which is to be seen. Matter of the fact is that money at this scale rather at larger scale— we have been receiving it already but resultant we got what? More hunger and more poverty; no sugar, no atta, no electricity, no jobs ……plus extremism.
Previously in Musharraf era Pakistan received some 10 Billion from United States gave us to fight his war against terrorism and pakistan got; extremism, suicide bombing and utter chaos and anarchy was induced in our society—- what 7.5 billion will bring for us that is to be seen. To get money in aid may not be a problem—– that in our war against terrorism; Pakistan has met an enormous economic loss in the tune of some 50 Billion. 7.5 billion is just fraction of it but there are the strings attach to this 7.5 billion and what all these strings will bring with them that remains to be seen?
Hi Khokar,
I thought you are a patriotic Pakistani.From what you write, i could see pakistan is up for sale to heighest bidder.
Dear Johann,
I don’t think so that some sale bidding of Pakistan is going on here. This may not sound favourable in Indian circles that how come with all the best efforts of India to see Pakistan maligned—-something good is being said in respect of Pakistan.
As you know that earlier Pakistan has played a pivotal part in dislodging Russian from Afghanistan and now that after the 9/11; the wave of terrorism that it took the entire world by surprise and this region was totally engulfed in it. For the resilience, magnanimity and forward thinking of Pakistan this monster of terror has been harnessed by the Gallant Armed Forces and without any doubt they stand there as the victors.
Your deeds lead you to success and rightly so the World today has realised and acknowledged this fact. They understand the sacrifices made by the Pakistanis and keeping in view the constraint that Pakistan has suffered a lot and now they are coming to help so that Pakistan is able to mend the damages that occurred during this long haul of war against terrorism. Pakistan appreciates this gesture.
Here although Pakistan has also been fighting a war for India that anyone coming down from HinuKush, Khyber pass has straight gone to deep into India. Pakistan has contained that onslaught.
Although we don’t expect any appreciation from India; not even a word of it because this is matter of magnanimity and India does not have those traits. This I am not saying the history says that. Remember when in 2005 the earth quake came in Pakistan; India our immediate neighbour did not come forward at all to help; even with the consoling words. Not understanding that actual earth quake; the biggest fault tectonic plate lies in the southeast of Nepal and its mega tremor is long overdue, Kashmir stirring was on just its tail/edge that we had then.
Anyhow; you are the ex-aviation pilot; it is learnt that Indian force is since establishing its airbase at Fakhor- Tajikistan which is right on Afghanistan north-west border. Presently it seems a deserted landing strip located along the main highway way of parkhor-385 across Yahsu river; What is its purported use by India in this area. Do you know of it?
Regards
It is Farkhor air Base
Welcome to new East India Company
India is heavily involved in Afghanistan.US,ISRAEL,INDIA have formed an axis and are harrassing Pakistan (balochistan,NWFP,Swat) and have encircled us.The present gov’t needs to be get shot of and throw America out of Pakistan.
All credits to Pak Army and discredits to the government? Army has neither done wonders in Swat nor in FATA, they have just done their job and are getting more than paid for it. It failed in the first place when so many militants took over the valley in the first place.
As for the reserves! The previous government left 16 Billion dollars worth of reserves, but it also left six billion dollars of circular debt and 20 billion dollars of trade deficit. It also had handed over most banks and PTCL to foreigners, who had started remitting profits back and as the new government had to stop further privatization it had little options left.
Lastly Americans are a reality, sooner we come to terms with it the better. You cannot take away their bases overnight. Specially when they are your biggest importer, source of remittances and in essence backbone of your economy.
Also, for those who are concerned about the meager size of US aid, they should know that last year, Israel got $2.8 Billion of aid, followed by Egypt of $1.8 Billion and Pakistan 0.7 Billion. With the Kerry-Lugar Bill Pakistan’s non-military would increase to 1.5 billion dollars, combined with military aid Pakistan would surpass Egypt as the second largest recipient of US aid.