The Pakistani Spectator

I’m not convinced we are winning it in Afghanistan. I am convinced we can… We are looking at a new, more comprehensive strategy for the region that would cover both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In my view, these two nations are inextricably linked in a common insurgency that crosses the border between them!

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USA

And so it has begun: the open, and unabashed attack on the sovereignty and freedom of Pakistan. The U.S. military, faced with rising insurgent violence in Afghanistan, will revise its strategy for the region to include militant safe havens in neighboring Pakistan. Within a span of 12 days, there have been 7 attacks launched by the United States from across the border on villages in Pakistan. The cup ran over when on September 3, the American Special Operation Forces conducted a full fledged raid inside Pakistan that resulted in the deaths of some 20-30 innocent Pakistanis. The attack for condemned by Pakistan, resolutions were passed in the United Nations but as always, United States paid no heed. Instead, they openly proclaimed the raid as their show and promised further operations on Pakistani soil. According to the NY TIMES, the authorization for this has come right from top: Bush himself! It was back in July when President Bush secretly approved ground assaults inside Pakistan. According to the orders issued, Pakistan is to ‘notified’ when limited ground assaults are conducted inside the country but a permission will not be asked for!

Let’s reconfirm for our understanding… The United States Armed Forces will now cross, jump, fly, or walk over the border to shoot, bomb, kill, take captive, and/or investigate nationals of one of their most important allies in the war against terrorism WITHOUT seeking the country’s approval?

You got that right!

The news post also stated that while the Pakistani government had ‘privately assented’ to limited ground assaults by Special Forces, they did not approve of each and every mission. Does it really matter? If you have allowed them to step on Pakistani soil, you have given them the keys to your freedom already!

While our own President has been scorned for not openly condemning the raids by two dozen Navy Seals that were supported by an AC-130 gunship, an unusually sharp and straight-forward statement has emerged today from Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani that

No external force is allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan! There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the coalition forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border.

His statement not only questions the extent to which Pakistan will or has bent to support the United States in this war but also makes one wonder who is telling the truth. Did the Pakistan Army actually know of the new understanding with US Army regarding ‘inform but seek no permission’ raids or is this a move by Washington to create further mistrust and hatred for the Pakistan Armed forces in the country by alleging them to be fully aware and on board with their plans. Kiyani termed the commando action of September 3 as reckless and stupid. If nothing else, such attacks would not only widen the gap between US and Pakistan but also fuel more violent anti-American sentiments in Pakistan.

One might ask… where are the oh so vibrant protests, rallies and strikes against this open affront aggression by United States in Pakistan? Where are all the patriots of Pakistan who took to the streets when some one sitting in a different continent made mockery of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), or when a single person’s actions were deemed oppressive and a threat to Pakistan’s freedom. Where are all those college and university students and their teachers who observed strikes to show they love their country and its freedom? Where is our media who deems to be Pakistani but has failed to raise qualitative awareness for this issue?

Is it because the main Islamic religious party, Jamia Ulema-e-Islam, led by Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, is no longer in the opposition but a part of the governing coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party?

Is it because our patriotic activists know they will not be ‘paid’ to take to the streets for this one?

Is it because our students fear they will not stand a chance to study abroad if they whine against US or that protesting for judiciary and open media is more exciting than standing against suicide bombings or invasions by foreign elements?

Is it because our media shudders at the thought of massive cuts in their pays if they bite the hand the feeds them?

The gloves are finally coming off… and pretty soon, we’ll all be naked!