Prime Minister Gilani spent U.S. $ 1 million to meet Mr. Bush but had no stomach to protest a foreign attack inside his country that killed innocent civilians. The priorities remain limited to a party leader who was killed more than nine months ago. The Prime Minister’s microscopic vision only allows him to see the PPP flag. In a country where Party leaders are bigger than political parties and political parties are bigger than Pakistan, what more can we expect from this distorted figure of democracy?
By Laila Sohail
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan —
- 11 June 2008: U.S. strike killed 11 Pakistan soldiers along the border with Afghanistan.
- 28 July 2008 – Wana: At least 6 people killed in a U.S. strike inside Pakistan.
- 4 September 2008 – Angoor Adda – Waziristan: At least 4 people killed in a U.S. strike inside Pakistan.
- 5 September 2008 – Goorweck Baipali: At least 5 people, including three children killed due to U.S. strike inside Pakistan
- 8 September 2008 – Wana: At least 21 people killed and 14 injured in a U.S. missile strike inside Pakistan borders. This was the third strike in less than a week.
The number of missile attacks by pilot-less Predator drones in Pakistan have more than tripled in the past year. Pakistani officials reported 11 such strikes this year, compared to three strikes in 2007 [The Washington Post, Sept. 10]
U.S. President Bush, said in his address at the U.S. National Defense University that parts of Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan were “all theatres in the same overall struggle”.
On Monday, July 28, the Prime Minster of Pakistan was on his first visit to the U.S. to show the importance of Pak-U.S. relations. Washington’s response? A strike inside Pakistan killing six. While meeting Mr. Gilani, U.S. President’s praise for Pakistan’s role in the War against Terror was nothing short of mockery.
It was an audacious attempt to show just how helpless and unimportant the Prime Minister and his visit actually were. Unfortunately, it was successful. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani continued to follow his timetable, posing for the camera with President Bush to show how close and respectfully they were working, oblivious to the lives that were lost back home. “We talked about the need for us to make sure that the Afghan border is secure, as best as possible,” Mr. Bush said before the leaders continued their discussions. “Pakistan has made a very strong commitment to that.”
The missile strikes were not important enough to be discussed in their ‘talks’ over a cup of tea. The cost of this friendly call was an alleged U.S. $1 million, paid by Pakistan.
The White House press secretary, Dana M. Perino, admitted that the issues on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan were “complex” but she said the differences were over rated. “It’s tense in that we are working together to try to fight counterterrorism,” she said, “but I think that we are much more on the same page than some people would like to paint”.
Looking at the performance of the latest government in Pakistan, this statement might actually hold true. While Pakistan is definitely not ‘on the same page’ with Washington, the Government of Pakistan is very well “on the same page” with the U.S.
The strikes continue, and all we get is a grin from the President, or a statement from the Prime Minister that goes like this, “This is a war which is Pakistan’s war. And we’ll fight for our own interest. And that is because I have lost my own leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of the militants.”
Nothing about the homes that will never see light again. Nothing about the sovereignty of Pakistan. The priorities remain limited to a party leader who was killed more than nine months ago.
The Prime Minister’s microscopic vision only allows him to see the PPP flag. In a country where Party leaders are bigger than political parties and political parties are bigger than Pakistan, what more can we expect from this distorted figure of democracy?
The U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen wants to attack Pakistan? When are we going to acknowledge the extent of the threat that we face? Are not our western cities as much a part of Pakistan as our central provinces, or are we waiting for a strike more near our homes before we realize what is happening?
To the Media: Play your role as a watchdog now, when we need it. Where are the analysts, the superstar anchors? Where is the intelligentsia that is supposed to enlighten the common man?
To the President: No Mr. Zardari, please spare us your noble advice and wisdom. What we need is an honest leader who can stand up for Pakistan, not a remote controlled U.S. moppet.
To Gen. Ashfaq Kayani: We have no faith in the government. Please retaliate to the threats. Save us from our own, and save us from the enemies outside. We can not compromise on our sovereignty. We stand united with you. May you protect Pakistan always.
Pakistan Paindabad!
Ms. Sohail is a young Pakistani commentator. She can be contacted at blabbersboo@gmail.com
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