US-Pakistan Rules Of Engagement: Redefinition and Renegotiation Imperative

US-Pakistan Rules Of Engagement: Redefinition and Renegotiation Imperative

Posted: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:34:07 +0000

Dr. Aquib Moin – PKKH

The recent stream of the blunt and harsh accusations on Pakistan from the higher-ups in the United States of America is indicative of the fact that how helpless and miserable they feel as they are fast approaching the worst defeat any nation could ever face at the hands of men in turbans in Afghanistan. It clearly shows that the Americans have disregarded outright the massive cost that Pakistan has been paying in order to be branded as a so-called ally of the US and the coalition forces, and the enormous damage that this so-called war on terror has done to Pakistan.

Thousands of unjustified casualties, deteriorating financial and economic conditions, the lives of common Pakistanis falling in misery and the destabilization of entire state are the rewards that Pakistan was conferred upon as a "recognition" of her subservience to the "Master" superstate. Now we are being told that our state is fueling terrorism in Afghanistan. The outrageous statements of the US authorities lead to the conclusion that they now want the state of Pakistan to serve as a "scapegoat" for them and to carry the burden of their miserable defeat in Afghanistan on her head. It seems they want to do to Pakistan what they did to Cambodia close to the end of Vietnam war. But, they are missing out the fact that things are different this time around; they are stuck in a region called the "graveyard of superpowers".

As things stand today, the fractured superpower is in no position to land on the Pakistani soil for a high-intensity conflict, but they are desperate to at least keep the status of a dignified superpower with its head held high and to somehow leave the impression to satisfy the American people and the world that they did whatever it took to fight the "bad guys" (Islamist Afghanis) and their supporters (Pakistanis). With their false and weak roars, they just want to achieve some face-saving and gauging how their potential scapegoat i.e. Pakistan will respond in case they throw all the rubble on her head. They will just keep going on with their low-intensity covert operations in Pakistan, which will engage all its resources, draw all of the attention so that everyone would miss to see the bigger picture, until the time they could figure out some sort of sinister and nasty face-saving exit strategy, having Pakistan left with all the mess when they leave Afghanistan.

At this stage, clear and bold messages must be sent from Pakistan. There must be a major policy change, the rules of engagement with the United States of America must be redefined and the terms of cooperation renegotiated. Following are points we think the civil and/or military leadership of Pakistan must strongly convey to the Americans:

* The nation of Pakistan demands a formal apology for the false and baseless accusations. Failing to do so, Pakistan would halt all kinds of cooperation related to their struggle in Afghanistan.

* Pakistan can't afford any further damage, we can only allow the NATO supplies to pass through Pakistan until a specified time and all of the coalition forces must wrap up their operations and leave this region by that time!

* The United States of America must stop the covert and terrorist operations all across Pakistan, call back their operatives, discontinue any kind of support for the local terrorist elements.

* The exit strategy and the post-war scenarios must be clearly discussed with Pakistan, a Pakistan-friendly setup must be designed and established before the coalition forces leave  and it must be ensured that Pakistan's interest in the region are served well.

Pakistan must emphasize that America's occupation of Afghanistan has caused much more damage to Pakistan than any other nation and it is an utter shame and disregard for the nation of Pakistan that such despicable statements came from the United States. By taking this stance, the United States of America is proving the notion "Being an enemy of USA is dangerous but her friend is lethal" sound very true. Our nation must get united on this issue, and a unanimous message must be delivered to the USA that we have taken serious offence and we all are standing behind our Armed forces and ISI as they protect our homeland. Salute to our ISI and Armed forces that they have been on their toes to handle things most amicably in the region and trying their best to keep the foreign invaders at bay and put a on leash local elements causing disturbances in Pakistan, by employing whatever means necessary. They must be FULLY supported by the civilian government, the bureaucracy, media, public, every Pakistani. Whoever doesn't support Pakistan's best interest must be considered a traitor and handled with iron fist!

--
Shahzad Shameem

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