Leader
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2010
- Messages
- 29,159
- Reaction score
- 9
- Country
- Location
Come clean
The brief but busy visit by US Secretary of State Chuck Hagel to Pakistan makes it obvious that Washington is somewhat anxious about the blocking of Nato supply routes through the KP into Afghanistan. During his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Hagel clearly made the point that the blockade had to stop, threatening otherwise a cut-off of US assistance to Pakistan. This reflects that for all its talks of alternatives, Washington is really extremely keen that the matter be sorted out. Its reaction shows us that the PTI, through its blockade intended as a protest against drone strikes, has strongly driven home a message. It has made the sentiments of its own followers, and those of most people in Pakistan, known to Washington. This is something the PML-N and other parties had failed to do. Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the White House and his statement saying he had brought up the drone issue with the top leadership led to no results at all. Indeed, at least three drone attacks followed in quick succession after these words. This time, we at least have a distinct reaction – and in this respect the PTI can claim its measure against the movement of trucks and containers has been a success.
In fact the PTI stance has exposed, if there was a need for this exposure, the double-faced policy of the government and other mainstream political parties that play on popular sentiment on the one hand and collude with the US on the other. The question now before the government is what it is to do next. Any move to use force to end the blockade would obviously be immensely unpopular. At the same time, the necessities of international politics mean it must keep its relations with Washington harmonious. Instead of continuing with the same hypocrisy that characterised the previous government, perhaps the PML-N government can begin by being honest about its true approach to the issue and tell the people why it thinks that approach is better. It should stop playing fast and loose with people over an issue in which it faces a real dilemma. The events from this point on will be closely watched with Pakistan at least having succeeded in making its voice heard in an environment where there has so far been barely a whisper echoing across the mountains that make up the north, where drones have already inflicted a great deal of human suffering.
Come clean - thenews.com.pk
The brief but busy visit by US Secretary of State Chuck Hagel to Pakistan makes it obvious that Washington is somewhat anxious about the blocking of Nato supply routes through the KP into Afghanistan. During his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Hagel clearly made the point that the blockade had to stop, threatening otherwise a cut-off of US assistance to Pakistan. This reflects that for all its talks of alternatives, Washington is really extremely keen that the matter be sorted out. Its reaction shows us that the PTI, through its blockade intended as a protest against drone strikes, has strongly driven home a message. It has made the sentiments of its own followers, and those of most people in Pakistan, known to Washington. This is something the PML-N and other parties had failed to do. Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the White House and his statement saying he had brought up the drone issue with the top leadership led to no results at all. Indeed, at least three drone attacks followed in quick succession after these words. This time, we at least have a distinct reaction – and in this respect the PTI can claim its measure against the movement of trucks and containers has been a success.
In fact the PTI stance has exposed, if there was a need for this exposure, the double-faced policy of the government and other mainstream political parties that play on popular sentiment on the one hand and collude with the US on the other. The question now before the government is what it is to do next. Any move to use force to end the blockade would obviously be immensely unpopular. At the same time, the necessities of international politics mean it must keep its relations with Washington harmonious. Instead of continuing with the same hypocrisy that characterised the previous government, perhaps the PML-N government can begin by being honest about its true approach to the issue and tell the people why it thinks that approach is better. It should stop playing fast and loose with people over an issue in which it faces a real dilemma. The events from this point on will be closely watched with Pakistan at least having succeeded in making its voice heard in an environment where there has so far been barely a whisper echoing across the mountains that make up the north, where drones have already inflicted a great deal of human suffering.
Come clean - thenews.com.pk
