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Pakistan rejected on Tuesday a US proposal for joint operations in the tribal areas against terrorism and militancy as differences of opinion between the two countries over various aspects of the war on terror emerged. The proposal for joint operations in the tribal areas had been floated by US presidential envoy for the region Richard Holbrooke and Joint Chief of Staffs Admiral Mike Mullen during a series of meetings with the civilian and military Pakistani leadership.
During meetings on Tuesday, US officials were told that continuing drone attacks inside Pakistan’s territory were counter-productive and Pakistan requested that drone technology be shifted to the Pakistan Army. US officials were also told that it would be difficult to bridge the trust deficit if statements maligning the ISI kept coming from the US and if US officials kept ignoring the contributions of the Pakistan Army and ISI in the war on terror.
Do you think the Pakistani decision to refuse to conduct joint operations in FATA is correct? Should Pakistan’s cooperation with the US in the war on terror be made conditional on the cessation of drone attacks? How best can the US proceed without the support of the Pak Army and ISI?
I am a student in USA from Pakistan.
I would agree that ISI is in a better shape to gather intelligence than the drones. If Americans need to get something done, they need to trust us and give us the weapon technology they have, including but not limited to the drones. Last time i heard, Pakistan Airforce designed some of their own drones? Why can’t USA fund such programs.
All in all, more than a million Americans right now would be jobless had it not been for the “War on terror,” Maybe its just me but didn’t America take the Taliban freedom fighters with them to help fight off the Soviets in the 1980s?
As a Pakistani American I feel I am in a better position to understand the frustration on the both ends. However, I think it is time to follow through. Pakistanis need to understand that America is not an evil empire and America under President Obama is a very different country from Bush’s one man state.
What sovereignity, if Taliban take over Pakistan (which they have virtually). The killing of women, destroying music, destroying art and destorying the social fabric of the society is the Islam that Talibans believe. It is like a radio frequency that only broadcast what gives them power. The Taliban powers lies in the gang mentality.
The best way to destroy this mentality is to go after this with full force. Pakistan should not worry about external threats. Please concentrate on the enemy within first. God Bless Pakistan and America.
I personally think, Pakistan should accept the proposal on two conditions. First that America will not leave Afghanistan until peace is restored. Second, that America makes Afghan government accept and recognize the Durand Line a national border.
Pakistan should be provided with full assistance to eliminate the terrorists. US should respect the sovereignity, and let the Pakistani military operate with full equipments. Joint operationsm in my opinion, simply means America does not have enough faith in Pakistan’s military capabilities. They just lack equipments. Why not first let Pakistan army try.
Frankly Speaking, because of Pakistan’s this stance against America has given me a feeling of freedom and sovereignty even more then the day we restored our constitutions judiciary. Hope Pakistani administration will continue with this great approach to fight against terrorism, in fact this kind of behavior is it self a symbol of defeating terrorism and a challenge to all those anti Pakistan forces.
The situation in central asia-afghanistan is a deja vu of 80s, just the number of players have been increased resulting in surge in terrorism.
War on terror has became multi billion dollar industry.
As an American who has an affection toward the people of Pakistan, I say that only Pakistan should conduct military exercises within its own country. Perhaps the only exception in the case of fighting the Taliban is to request a limited amount of assistance from some Muslim countries. That kind of force would be a pschological boost for Pakistanis who want peace and a blow to extremists of all shades. But self-reliance and standing upon one’s own two feet is the answer to the problems of any nation. Pakistan is a great nation and it can be done – God willing.
I feel the Pakistan Army has failed in controlling the NWFP in several past attempts. The Taliban are aware of this weakness and are gaining more ground each day.
If pakistan wants to defend the drone attacks, the military should prove that it is capable of controlling the areas of NWFP, or else work out other ways jointly with other nations like the U.S
Another alternative is use of Air power by the Pakistani Air force in these areas which is not done till date and prove to the US that drone attacks are not necessary. The ISI is anyday in a better position to gather intelligence than the US drones.
Even though Pakistan has every right to say “NO” to joint operation in the tribal areas but on the other side Pakistan can not defeat these evil terrorists on their own. These terrorists MUST be cleaned out from Pakistan territory otherwise this war will stay on forever and many innocent Pakistani citizens will continue to lose their lives that’s what Pakistan can not afford. I would say “YES” to joint operation.
I am an Indian citizen and I feel that all measures (including joint US-Pak operations)are required if the taliban is to be contained. Some of the posts above me lamented on the loss of sovereignity etc. which joint operations imply. However there would not be too much left of Pakistan (sovereignity included) if the taliban were to come to power in Pakistan. After all, it does not need too many taliban to take over Pakistan – there is not too much one can do against suicide bombers!
rizvi29@gmail.com
Pakistan has done the right thing by refusing joint action. It is just like the Americans to slowly inch their way towards occupation by asking for more cooperation.
To be honest the fight in the tribal areas will never be won militarily – just pick the history books, this area can’t be tamed.
I feel its about time that Pakistan makes a stand and decides for itself which path it needs to take. There are other friends out there – the Chinese, hey even the Russians might be better choices than the Americans. Let’s be practical, this war on terror is not just about imminent threats to American interests, it is all about establishing American hegemony in this part of the world to neutralise resurrgent China and Russia.
We need to step out of the American shadow and make a mark for ourselves. It will be tough, but how much more tougher can it be then what we are facing right now?
Yes. Certainly pakistan is right to say “NO” because there is no room for any operation inside Pakistan in the UN Security Council resolution passed after 9/11. Secondly the people of pakistan are are deadly against such expedition. Thirdly, a resolution passed by the Pakistani parliament in October 2008 clearly rules it out. I think USA should not press for a joint operation as this will adversely affect her interests in the area.
Dr. Fakhr-ul-Islam
i think joining hands with anyone to beat the taliban should be accepted.. personal differences can be sorted later with the USA.
On second thoughts as i had mentioned earlier .. if pakistan joins hands with russia. USA will definitely do more and not put pressure on pakistan to gain pakistans support in the war.
Given the anti-Americanism our leaders harbour in our public, I think it was wise to decline offer to joint operations.
Further allowing joint operations would have meant a clear hands’ up.
If the house is on fire, it would be suicidal to tell the fire fighters to douse the fire only from outside and not come into the house ‘because it is a question of privacy and autonomy’.
Someone here suggested that USA and or Afghanistan might be plotting to annex NWFP. Considering that NWFP contributes less than 10% of Pakistan’s GDP but more than 90% percent of Pakistan’s problems and that “strategic depth” is no longer a valid concept, why not give away the NWFP and FATA, and build a fence with some of the US dollars? That automatically solves the contentious issue of joint strikes too.
I was going through the comments. As an Indian I don’t want to say anything on this matter. Just wanted to know what a common man from Pakistan see about this problem. It is an emphatic NO.
Yes that is a correct decision not to do joint operation. United States knows pakistan army is well capable to do the job alone but i believe they want to dictate pakistan army. We should support pakistan army as well as isi in this matter, and we should not forget history that where ever united states go they make that country hell.
Well its time to fight our own war this is not a bilateral war where we are dictated and run by a superpower. They dont know about our people and what ways there are to mend fences.
Bombing is not an option, talks , negotiations and truce is the way forward. In this casualty its we pakistanis dying at both fronts. I beleive we can handle the situation and not compromise on the idealogy of this nation.
Joint operation in FATA will be counter productive; it will produce hate for the newly established democratic government and army in Pakistan which result in defeat and failure of all stakeholders of war against extremism that’s why Pakistan right to say “No”. US should follow the policy of direct and indirect interactions with Taliban’s through the intelligence agencies of India and Pakistan. The trust and cooperation between India and Pakistan will produce a better playing field for the US in this region to win the extremist hearts.
Making peace with such barbarians in SWAT was a complete failure of the government. Now there are two things which can be true. Either the army does not want to eliminate the taliban or it is unable to do so. In both cases we need external help so the sooner we do this the better. What sovereignity are we talking about when half of NWFP is outside the writ of the government?
Pakistan should get rid of Baitullah Mesud itself. The man had been pointed out to the US twice as sitting duck and no action was taken by US. We need to take things in our hands and get rid of the black sheep amonst us.
Drone attacks must be stopped immediately to stop hellfire in Pakistan and negate the justification of Baituallah Mehsud to destroy Pakistan in the name of Drone attacks.
We are one of the biggest army equipped with necessary arms to counter black sheep amongst us. More US interference, the more terorrism is the bottom line.
I agree with Samir.
The reality is that we Pakistanis can not do anything by ourselves. Why shouldn’t we co-operate with US? We need their support to fight against Taliban. Otherwise this country will be taken over by them. No hope for the next generation, no visiters will come to this country…do you want that future??
And we have to be open to other countries especially India…think more flexibly.
Absolutely! Americans are under the delusion that they can cope with the problem better. They have yet to win a fair battle in their history. So far all they have done is relied on media propaganda to declare a win. (vietnam, iraq, iraq-2, afghanistan, afghanistan-2 and now pakistan).
The only way Americans can help is by going away and staying in their own small bubble of a world. The presence of foreign military (mind you not the people) is possibly the core aggravating factor I think. Everybody likes a bimbo cause they entertain well, but functionally speaking they are useless. You can draw the analogy as you see fit.
I think its the right time for Pakistan to review its post 9/11 policy towards Americans as well as other regional countries most importantly India, Afghanistan and Iran. There should be a holistic change in our approach towards the so called “War on Terror” and other regional issues including Occupied Kashmir and the Kashmiri freedom Struggle.
India sooner or later would have to come to the table any way.
The bottom line is that Pakistan must now protect its National interest and take its friends in confidence especially the great Chinese.