Bang Galore
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Since the conclusion of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US, Pakistan is facing a new set of problems. The PM apparently failed to convince the US of India’s hostility while the three dossiers regarding the alleged involvement of India in subversive acts in Pakistan have not been made public. During Sharif’s visit, President Obama took the ‘do more’ demand to a totally new level for which Sharif seemed utterly unprepared. Washington demanded of Islamabad to take action against the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as well as all extremist groups including the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network. On the other hand, Kabul in a tepid response to Nawaz’s latest overtures from Washington has laid down some preconditions. “Pakistan must target the Afghan Taliban before seeking any role in the peace process,” stated Ashraf Ghani’s deputy spokesman Sayed Zafar Hashemi. Pakistan claims that it cannot perform both tasks, i.e. convincing the Afghan Taliban to come to the negotiation table and kill them at the same time. The Afghan government says that it is ready to talk to only those Taliban who are ready to surrender their arms and accept the country’s constitution.
The new set of demands and preconditions both from the US and Afghanistan have created more trouble for the government of Nawaz Sharif. It was already an uphill task for the PM to visit the US and discuss issues that are not entirely in his control. In fact, there is some confusion about the real authority that is responsible for determining the foreign policy of the country. The establishment is dictating its terms to the civilian government and parliament seems powerless in taking any bold stance against all sorts of militants. The world has been aware of this fact and is no longer ready to believe in the narrative that was preached by the PM in the US, allegedly at the behest of the security agencies. Pakistan has always complained to the world and the US that they never appreciated its role and sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Pakistan claims that it deserves more support from the world community, especially the US. No doubt, Pakistan has suffered heavy financial and human losses in this war, but the roots of the problem also lie in our own policies. Pakistan’s past relations with the Afghan Taliban and its alleged role in waging proxy wars are a cause of concern for the world. There are still accusations that Pakistan has not changed its stance towards the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network that is the real bone of contention. In the 21st century, it is not easy to befool the world by playing double games. Pakistan has reached a critical juncture where it has to take a clear cut stance and revise its foreign policy. Difficulties are increasing for Islamabad due to the duality of its foreign policy. The Nawaz government is in real trouble now as it has to fulfil its commitment that it has willingly or unwillingly made with the US. According to this commitment, the government has to sever ties with all types of extremist groups and militants of all sorts. The government and establishment therefore have to review their policies. We need to understand that we can no more rely on proxy wars.
It is high time that all those sitting at the helm of affairs reconsider their priorities. Peace must be given a chance. Both India and Pakistan have already fought three wars and sustained heavy losses. Both neighbouring states should desist from negative propaganda against each other and discourage the involvement of non-state actors in internal and external affairs. The Nawaz government has to perform a bigger task of meeting the expectations of the world and taking a bold stance towards the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network and other extremist groups. It is an uphill task, but someone has to pluck up the courage to accept this challenge
An uphill task
The new set of demands and preconditions both from the US and Afghanistan have created more trouble for the government of Nawaz Sharif. It was already an uphill task for the PM to visit the US and discuss issues that are not entirely in his control. In fact, there is some confusion about the real authority that is responsible for determining the foreign policy of the country. The establishment is dictating its terms to the civilian government and parliament seems powerless in taking any bold stance against all sorts of militants. The world has been aware of this fact and is no longer ready to believe in the narrative that was preached by the PM in the US, allegedly at the behest of the security agencies. Pakistan has always complained to the world and the US that they never appreciated its role and sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Pakistan claims that it deserves more support from the world community, especially the US. No doubt, Pakistan has suffered heavy financial and human losses in this war, but the roots of the problem also lie in our own policies. Pakistan’s past relations with the Afghan Taliban and its alleged role in waging proxy wars are a cause of concern for the world. There are still accusations that Pakistan has not changed its stance towards the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network that is the real bone of contention. In the 21st century, it is not easy to befool the world by playing double games. Pakistan has reached a critical juncture where it has to take a clear cut stance and revise its foreign policy. Difficulties are increasing for Islamabad due to the duality of its foreign policy. The Nawaz government is in real trouble now as it has to fulfil its commitment that it has willingly or unwillingly made with the US. According to this commitment, the government has to sever ties with all types of extremist groups and militants of all sorts. The government and establishment therefore have to review their policies. We need to understand that we can no more rely on proxy wars.
It is high time that all those sitting at the helm of affairs reconsider their priorities. Peace must be given a chance. Both India and Pakistan have already fought three wars and sustained heavy losses. Both neighbouring states should desist from negative propaganda against each other and discourage the involvement of non-state actors in internal and external affairs. The Nawaz government has to perform a bigger task of meeting the expectations of the world and taking a bold stance towards the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network and other extremist groups. It is an uphill task, but someone has to pluck up the courage to accept this challenge
An uphill task
