Pakistan in diplomatic limbo

Pakistan in diplomatic limbo?

Hardly a day passes without breaking news on Pakistan electronic and printing media. It will be quite cautious statement that all the news on Pakistan's independent channels are breaking news.

US has yet to release his full official response to the revised parliament endorsed policy of Pakistan towards US. But Pakistan press has started the dissection of the expected response. Our so called free press and political pundits have created a chorus of hue and cry. Shouting hoarse about the double standards of US foreign policy.

According to Pakistani electronic media, US is probably offering a mild apology but refuse to accept the denial of hot pursuit policy of targeting the terrorist in Pakistan. The sectarian organisations and the parties to the right of the centre have jointly started the chorus.

The alternative could be that Pakistan take the responsibility to hit the points that threatens world peace. On what moral grounds can we stop another country not to hit the source of threat to their men in uniform? Another graceful alternative is to have joint strategy and avoid double game to restore our international image.

Whether it was Salala or Abbot Abad the opposition and the establishment were using as ploy to oust the Zardari government. Aerial violation is considered a naked violation of our sovereignty but ground violation is conveniently ignored for obvious reason. It was brushed under the carpet for the last ten years since General Musharraf gave it a green signal. None was ready to raise voice when Musharraf was in power.

The establishment started sabre rattling and said that they have the capacity and capability to protect the aerial sovereignty, if the government gives the permission. It was an unusual statement because routinely the military establishment hardly cares to seek permission from civilian government. The temperature soared so high that the COAS refused to receive the commander in chief of the armed forces on his return from abroad as demanded by the rule of business and to brief him on the new developments. The same mind set is visible in the attitude of the chief minister of the Punjab. One fine morning the army chief went on air and ordered the Jawans to shoot down any foreign plane violating the aerial sovereignty without prior permission.

The newly formed defence council of pakistan demonstrated their muscles in Karachi. Supported by all rightest organisations and ex ISI chief General Hamid Gul. It was unwarranted rhetoric. The Jim of Pakistan is going to fix all in three months time,so what is the hurry.

Let us give a benefit of doubt to the establishment that they were completely kept in dark about Abbot Abad incident but I wonder why they failed to intercept and engage US aircrafts who were in our air space for two hours. And military establishment claimed that they were in touch with NATO command. It shows two things either they had no capability or they were scared of the repercussions.

Our journalists adding fuel to the fire by quoting the incidence of Shah Rukh khan, an Indian film star that was quickly followed by an official apology from US. They lamented that our parliament decision were ignored. They fail to comprehend that it is not the individual or institution that matters but the international standing of a country.

The opposition scream hoarse that the parliament is a dummy parliament and the P.M. Is good for nothing. The national destiny is decided in president house. This time when they were asked to chalk out guide lines for the government to pursue its foreign policy. Now they are hands up and saying they have given their recommendations, now it is up to the government to implement. Implement what? To implement Pakistan's parliamentary decision on US government.

The bottom line is to order the Pakistan air force to intercept NATO air force. Can we? If we do it out of an impulse, what could be the repercussions. Are we ready to confront the probable situation? We are living in fools paradise. We are playing with fire. The opposition is pushing the country to an imaginable catastrophe. If the generals could read the political repercussions there would have been no institutions in the world except the armed forces.

What can one achieve by quite diplomacy, is usually not possible by showing of muscles. We are insulting ourselves. We are exposing our weaknesses to the friends and foes. We have become a laughing stalk internationally. Mian fired the nuclear deterrent against the international pressure but there was no foreign force involved. It was an internal policy.

We have taken the responsibility to behave like the international soldiers of holy war? Will it not be better if we confine ourselves to our geographical borders? Those who have invited this wrath must be tried in the court. This is the most important issue that needs the attention of our C.J to take so motto action. Red warrant should be issued against those who have rented out the country. It is not the time to settle personal scores but to save the country. Or otherwise the parliament should issue the orders to go for direct confrontation irrespective of the consequences. The later will be a more logical course of action to take collective decision and subsequent responsibility.

Dr. Khurshid Alam. London

15/04/2012