Chicago Conference

Chicago conference? (Hopes and fears) Chicago conference is of extreme importance for peace, at global and regional level. Though basically it is a NATO sponsored conference but the invitation to the general secretary of UNO and Pakistan has increased its importance. It is hoped that It will be a big leap forward towards peace in Afghanistan and a step ahead to curtail terrorism in the region. It will be the first one of its nature that top political and military leadership in NATO will jointly discuss the issue. Had they invited military leadership of Pakistan armed forces that would have been more fruitful, as they are the key holder to the problem and having friendly relations the traders of terror? It is unfortunate that our media, sectarian and some political pundits have ganged up once again to sabotage the peace before it gets off the ground. They are the same forces who sabotaged Geneva peace accord. It was expected as they survive in the state of war and terror. In peace, they visualise the drying of foreign revenues to pursue their aim and threat to loose its nuisance value. It is the irony that US has played a very important role in propping up of these forces in Pakistan and radicalisation of the masses in both countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The radicals have substantial support in the armed forces,civilian establishment and masses. The conference is timed as such that will help Barak Obama in its election, but will strengthen the anti peace axis in Pakistan in the forthcoming elections. I agree with New York times that unless Pakistan army establishment and ISI, completely and openly severe their ties with radicals this war has no conceivable end. The looming threat to peace will persist. The shadows of death and terror will chase the peace and stability in the region and the world at large. In this back ground it was of utmost importance that the military leadership of Pakistan should have been invited along with the chief of the agencies. The civilian government is a lame duck set up. The key to the authority and access to the source of threat is via our military establishment. It is a simple logic that unless the god father is tamed and taken in to confidence nothing concrete can come out of this conference and the blood let will go on unabated. Peace will be always on a run,chased by terror. Pakistani public is a highly emotional flock,any Tom or Dick can play with their emotions when it comes to USA and India, our arch ideological enemies. They are shut to logic and ground realities It is said in political circles that it does not need high degree of intelligence to become the head of the state or government in Pakistan, if one is a good orator who can address a mass rally in Lahore and promise that if voted to power the next day Pakistani flag will be flying on red fort in Delhi and the Americans will be kicked out. It carries more than some truth. Pakistan is the second biggest recipient of US aid after Israel but the majority of population has anti American feelings. US was no two when USSR was on the map. About the alternative they have no clue except some religious rhetoric. They want a sudden shift of foreign policy and dreaming of China, Iran, Russia and Pakistan ganging against US but are unable to comprehend the complications and repercussions of sudden shift of foreign policy while the war is on. They are amnesic to the past that we offered our services to US, before we were requested. The first foreign dignitary, received by Jinnah was the American ambassador. Subsequently it was Liaquat Ali who snubbed the Russians. War or confrontation in any form is very easy to start, difficult to carry and impossible to end. In this diplomatic row the major responsibility is lying on Americans. Being a sole super power they have to be more cautious in the conduct of its foreign policy. They are well aware that their most allied ally is the army establishment of Pakistan. US has heavily invested in the army and in grooming them. They are well aware of the fact that nothing is possible in Pakistan without the approval of the establishment. The recent chain of events like chasing the terrorists in Pakistan, Kerry luger bill and memo scandal has upset the armed forces, and were badly timed. Army reputation of professionalism was badly tarnished. To divert the public opinion they distanced themselves from US. On the other hand these sequence of events further radicalised the Pakistan army and public. Our national tragedy is, we really enjoy authority but have no courage to accept the responsibilities. The responsibility was shifted to the parliament on urgent basis. The parliament and the weak civilian government were used as scape goats. I am totally confused that if this white elephant cannot provide us protection from foreign and internal threats then what is the justification to spend so much on this institution without accountability? It is the joke of the century in Pakistani political frame that the parliament was given this honour to chalk out foreign policy, obviously to shift the responsibility to a beleaguered government. After all till November the Drone attacks were carried from Shamsi air base. We have no solid informations of any hidden written or verbal deal between Musharraf and Pentagon. It was one to one political contact and even the foreign office was reduced to a status of post office or forwarding agency. To implement a ban on transit facilities was a calculated step of anti peace forces. It was easy to implement and difficult to lift giving political advantage to the radicals. Ups and down is a part of any policy but to react impulsively is the most dangerous act. We have no technical know how? Our armed forces total dependence on US is not a secret. To put a ban did we intend to bring the Americans to their knees or were harming ourselves in the long run? If we have good relations with China, we know that China is not in a position to meet our needs and will not sacrifice their most favoured status with US for us. They still need Americans technical know how. Is it not silliness to expect them to put their national interest at stake for our sake and was it logical to earn animosity of US to come further close to China? I am in no delusion that this axis of evils (anti peace gang) in Pakistan that was erected by our army jointly with US and UK will yield to logic. It is a plain fact that we need Americans for our survival, unless the Jim of Pakistan, Imran Khan, use his magical stick and fix all the problems in three months. Jamat Islami considers it a political suicide and pushing the country to the brink of disintegration? Facts must be differentiated from fiction. Leaguers are shaking one hand on the table with Americans but under the table holding tightly the hands of unholy warriors. JI is the planner and the other sectarian organisation have logistic responsibility to provide the gun powder by exploiting poverty and religious sentiments of the teenagers to let the blood flow. Dr. Khurshid Alam( London) Dated: 19/05/12