Opting to Strike Pakistan

By

Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan

Entitled as the “Options studied for a possible Pakistan strike,” an article appeared in the Washington Post on May 29, 2010.  Greg Miller and Karen DeYoung, both reputed staff reporter of this illustrious news daily have jointly developed the article. With reference to the US top military hierarchy, the paper reveals that, “The U.S military is reviewing options for a unilateral strike in Pakistan in the event that a successful attack on American soil is traced to the country’s tribal areas.” A naturalized U.S citizen of Pakistani origin who planned the failed Times Square attack on May 1, 2010, is believed to be the root-cause of this planning of possible US strike on Pakistani soil.

Indeed, ever since a limited helicopter supported US attack on a Pakistani border post in Waziristan area along Pak-Afghan border, in 2008, met a strong opposition and infuriation from Pakistani Military in 2008, therefore, ‘the Washington Post,’ perceives that this time modus-operandi would most likely be either; the air strikes or the missile attacks. Otherwise, there is a general feeling in the US military higher-ups that, “we need to be circumspect in how we respond so we don't destroy the relationships we've built with the Pakistani military. Apart from the military mindset, the political leadership has been reminiscence of its unfulfilled pledges. For example; President Obama is reminded of the promise he made during his election campaign that, “he would be willing to order strikes in Pakistan.” It means that Faisal Shahzad or Times Square failed attack is either an excuse or planted event to force the so-called realistic Obama administration for launching attack on Pakistan. Otherwise, why should the Pakistan Government or any of its sensible citizen plan, abet or harbour an attack in United States or any other country.

Similarly, Secretary Hillary Clinton is also being uptight of what she said after the failed incident of Times Square that, “if, heaven forbid, an attack like this that we can trace back to Pakistan were to have been successful, there would be very severe consequences.” Indeed, in the post Bush administration, on a number of occasions, she had acknowledged the Pakistani sacrifices, it rendered in combating this global menace of terrorism. Following the incident, the U.S national security adviser, James L. Jones and Director CIA Leon Panetta visited Pakistan, and met top political and military leadership of the country, perhaps with some evidences of the Faisal Shahzad’s linkage with militants in Pakistan. They might have demanded actions against these militants, mostly concentrated in the North Waziristan agency. 

From Pakistani perspective, this agency is comparatively peaceful and there is a tacit understanding between Government of Pakistan and the local tribes for maintaining peace in the agency for the maintenance of peace.  From the American perspective, local militants are supporting the Afghan Taliban against it in Afghanistan. Moreover, US consider that some prominent Afghan militants like Haqqani, Moulvi Nazir and even Gulbadin Hiqmutyar are effectively operating from North Waziristan into Afghan territory. Furthermore, there has been enormous increase in the CIA directed drone attacks in the North Waziristan Agency and adjoining areas. Even at time, there have been more than one drone attacks per day at a particular location, where innocent people and even their rescuers were killed.

In order to enhance their cooperation, Pakistan, and US has established their joint military intelligence centres (fusion centres). One on the outskirts of Peshawar and another being established in the suburbs of Quetta.   Indeed, these centres are meant to, “Bolster Pakistani military operations by providing direct access to U.S. intelligence, including real-time video surveillance from drones controlled by the U.S. Special Operations Command, the officials said. But in an acknowledgment of the continuing mistrust between the two governments, the officials added that both sides also see the centres as a way to keep a closer eye on one another, as well as to monitor military operations and intelligence activities in insurgent areas.” By establishing these centres, US desires to “have information about targets to do something [and] we have a process that remains cumbersome, If something happens, we have to confirm who did it and where it came from. People want to be as precise as possible to be punitive.”  Regarding the intelligence centre around Quetta, it is assumed that US intends achieving two objectives: one; to track down the so-called ‘Quetta Shura’ of the Afghan Taliban, fuelling the insurgency in Afghanistan,  and two; to facilitate the US military operation in Kandahar, planned to be conducted in the near future.  

The actual reasons behind the threats however seem different from what US officials portray in the form of failed attack on Times Square or any such types of attacks in the future.  Indeed, US authorities have asked for the issuance of a number of visas from Pakistani authorities. The Washington’s Post report said that, “the effort is proceeding at a pace of ‘typical Pakistani glacial speed.’ Despite the increased cooperation, U.S. officials say they continue to be frustrated over Pakistan's slow pace in issuing visas to American military and civilian officials.” In this regard, there is an ongoing tussle between Pakistani officials and US Visa section in Islamabad also. As a procedure in vogue, it takes a week or maximum two weeks in processing the diplomatic visas. However, regretfully, seven Pakistani diplomats posted in the Pakistani embassy in Washington and at other consulate in US, have yet not been issued with the visas. The process too has a background as mentioned above. In 2009, U.S has asked Pakistan for the issuance of 600 diplomatic visas for its citizens.  After necessary, verification, and documentation, 300 diplomatic visas were issued, whereas, remaining 300 visas were rejected on various pretexts.

Now, once Pakistan has asked for the seven diplomatic visas, US officials are blackmailing Pakistan for those remaining 300 diplomatic visas. This is surprising, that US Government is asking for the diplomatic visas under A1 category for its defence officials, business community, and even contractors like the Black Water. Pakistan has already shown its concern to US regarding the concentration of such a heavy number of the US officials in the garb of diplomatic corps.

However, U.S desires that, irrespective of the class/ category, its citizens in Pakistan must be given the protocol and security cover as available to diplomats. In a way, U.S desires that its citizens should be able to carry out the spying activities and other covert missions under the same garb. There have been instances in the past where US low-level officials have passed through the Pakistani airports without undergoing the formalities of the immigration. Lately some of them were even found roaming in their vehicles with the weapons of prohibited bore. They even did not allow the police to verify them. Rather in most of the cases, police officials were humiliated and even threatened of dire consequences.

As far as military operation in North Waziristan is concerned, Pakistan is sovereign country. Let us its leadership to decide, whether or not there is a need to launch such a military operation in that area. After all, why U.S should force Pakistan for killing its own people, once they have promised to live with peace without interfering anywhere outside the Pakistani borders.  U.S must give up this pressure tactics and deal with Pakistan on equal terms. 

   The contents of the article depict as if Pakistan is a US colony, where it can play havoc as and when it desires. This and many such articles by authentic US media must be taken very seriously for their likely repercussions.   After all Pakistan is not a complex of few buildings, to be destroyed by a US missile or air strikes.  It is a nation of 170 million people, mostly youth, who have the will and potential to defend their motherland at all cost, till the last drop of their blood.

The writer is an analyst of Pak-US relationship. Email: drmk_edu@yahoomail.com