Sorry for apology

Posted on 10 months ago

Brig (Retd) Said Nazir Mohmand
'We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistan military" and "prevent this (Salala), from ever happening again,' said Secretary Clinton.
On this very note the relations between US and Pakistan instantly became normal, rest every thing is hunky dory and back to the business as usual. The rider clause in the new terms of engagement has been addressed at the strategic plinth, Nato supplies stand resumed through Pakistan land routes and all the allies in the war on terror are celebrating their respective gains. Decision makers in Pakistan are busy in bringing all acceptability factors into play to push the resumption of Nato supplies down the throat of the nation. They find no difference in, sorry and apology, like degree is a degree whether fake or genuine. Pakistan Government is happy that they are out of the puzzle on a simple note of sorry for which all the state functionaries have been burning their mid-night oil for the last seven months.
This sorry for apology is also shrouded in a mutual confession of the mistakes committed by both the parties and co-share the blame and gain in a way to be co-accused and co-beneficiary at the same time. The promise to release $1.1 billion by the US, held under the coalition support fund put to rest all the terms of engagement related to sovereignty, transit fee and drone attacks. It is amusing that the Pakistan government spokesman plainly denied the demand of transit fee while and thumping his chest that asking for transit fee is below the dignity of our national honour and high held principles. Though, the facts are in direct contrast to what has been boasted by Mr. Kaira, the information minister. Dose the new terms of engagement negate any such demand and the news regarding demand of $ 5000 per container was a fig of imagination on the part of media? The US technical team was here to define and hyphenate sorry and apology for six long weeks, or  Mr. Panetta was out of his mind to equate the demand of transit fee ($5000) as, extortion? Even if one goes by the connotation of Mr. Kaira's on high moral grounds, national honour and prestige, then the million dollar question arises for justification of demand/release of coalition support fund. The transit charges are for the infrastructure being used and the coalition support fund is for the services being utilized in support of the war on terror. If the later is more sensitive (and certainly it is) in the realm of national honour and prestige then why to shy of the transit fee which is very much in line with the international norms and obligations. Here the devil is in the details.
In the strategic terms the threat response capability must emanate from the capacity while guarding the vulnerability before responding to a threat. Whenever and anywhere if there is a mis-match between the treat and response capacity, then vulnerability becomes a liability and the terms of engagement are conducted from a weaker wicket. The political and military leadership must have weighed all the options during the seven months long standoff between US and Pakistan and the ensuing deliberations ought to have been focused on the attainment of; from minimal to maximal gains. However, the drop scene of the entire saga was visible in the collapse of the whole edifice of the new terms of engagement. The reasons behind the scene could be many but the more pronounced are the economic vulnerability of Pakistan and the threat capacity and capability of America. It is no secret that our economic vulnerability is the bio-product of mass corruption to the tune of Rs 6 to 8 billion per month prevalent at all tiers of state functionaries and institutions. Therefore, there is no need of cursing our stars and blaming Uncle Sam. However, the threat scenario could be deliberated upon in the backdrop of, that Pakistan's military establishment volunteered for this war though under duress and pursued it in the hope of ending it on a favourable note. But the, sorry for apology and the re-engagement on the release of coalition support fund after factual war-gaming with all national power potentials at the disposal; is at odds to be differentiated from the infamous capitulation on a single phone call. The only difference is that the then dictator became the front ally in the war on terror by committing a sheer military blunder while this time the whole state com power stakeholders fell far short of their commitment to the nation. The latest survey by a private TV channel indicates an overwhelming majority of the people opposing the reopening of the Nato supply routes. So, the decision is completely divorced from the national aspiration.
There is a wrong projection and emphasis on a faulty premise that the resumption of NATO supplies will facilitate and hasten the US/NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. To the contrary, the war on terror in Afghanistan is by no means winnable in the scheduled draw down time lines and the complete withdrawal of US forces is not foreseeable once analyzed from the perspective of US permanent bases and extension of Non-NATO Ally Status to Afghanistan. Therefore, the resumption of supplies will augment the war efforts, escalate the COIN and prolong the conflict. The reconciliation and negotiated way out will be put on the back burner and region will remain in a state of flux and de-stabilized to the detriment of Pakistan national interests. The do more mantra has already been re-activated by Secretary Clinton and the drones attacks have been directed on the rescue and funeral services in FATA. There was a drone's salute to Raymond Davis in March 2011, on the second day of his release by killing 48 Jirga members including security personnel in NWA and this time the kill is over 21 tribesmen on the eve of three Nato containers crossing over via Chaman, Pak-Afghan border town. The unlawful killing of tribesmen of FATA, the lesser Pakistanis deserve neither sorry and nor apology. The big no to the drones attack has vanished in the thin air along with due respect to our sovereignty. Parliament is supreme and the FATA, MNAs and Senators are too supreme.
Some analysts give weightage to the making of a threat via India and accredit the script that the 6/11, Mombay attack will be pasted on the Pakistan state Intelligence agencies through the Nexus of US-India and Israel. The Abu- Jundal factor will be played up to malign ISI in master minding the attack, executed through Let and declare Haqqani network as terrorist organization. The UN will be moved against Pakistan and sanctions will be imposed. Pakistan already reeling under adverse economic, political, security, poor governance, resource starved and internal conflict prone will slide down to a failed state condition. This dooms day scenario is not new for Pakistan. It has done well under sanctions and performed better while subject to adverse natural calamities. The poor teeming masses are used to making/giving sacrifices, it the very marginal ruling elite and their cronies, the pro-dual nationalists who are afraid of sanctions. They are the ones who barter on war and then lose it badly. Though, we know that the worst is still in the store for us, but thank you; Uncle Sam for providing us with an opportunity via sorry for apology in ending this puzzle for the time being.
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