President Obama has signed the 'Kill Bill' [Kerry-Lugar bill] despite the reservations of most Pakistanis on offensive language in some clauses.
Pakistanis do not doubt the intentions of President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Senator Kerry. We know they are friends of Pakistan. We just do not trust the Washington establishment. Exhibit A: political conditions embedded in a bill that is packaged as a token of sincere friendship.
Washington rejected Pakistani concerns saying that's what Congress wants. But no word about the heated and passionate debate in the Pakistani parliament where the pro-US government is dangerously isolated. Pakistani parliament wanted to pass a resolution making the will of Pakistanis clear before President Obama signed the bill. In ignoring the Pakistani parliament and rushing to sign the bill, Washington sent a clear message. America will do what it wants. If it thinks that Quetta and Muridke are centers of terror, then that is it. Pakistan needs to accept it and move on. And don't dare ask Washington for evidence.
American politicians are smart people. But so are Pakistanis.
The Pakistani parliament can still pass a strong resolution rejecting the anti-Pakistan conditions in the bill and affirming that Pakistan will not be bound by them.
This way, US will give aid to our government at its own discretion. This way no one in the future will be able to say, 'Hey, you accepted in the Kill Bill that Quetta and Muridke are centers of terror,' or 'Hand over so and so nuclear scientist because you agreed to in the Kill Bill'. Pakistan will be able to point to the parliament resolution and say, 'You know what, we made our position and intention clear and still you gave us the money. That was your choice. We never accepted your claims and we told you so and yet you paid us.'
Let the Americans pay aid with a clear message from Pakistani parliament that we're not bound by your conditions.
This way, clauses in the Kerry-Lugar bill [Pakistanis are exchanging text messages calling it 'Kill Bill'] that seek to contain Pakistani military and strategic capabilites in exchange for aid will be rendered ineffective. Washington will also be put to the test: Will it still give aid to Pakistan?
After all, if this bill is really a 'true reflection' of American friendship with the people of Pakistan, then what's a few cumbersome conditions between friends, right Mr. Kerry and Mr. Lugar?
Feels this "kill bill" has become a uniting point for all of us. I doubt their intentions as US has a cunning agenda behind it. I wish Pak Army, youth, professionals, nationalists and other patriotic elements turn it into a "Kerry Loser Bill"
ReplyDeleteThe KLB is, first and foremost, a political tool. That is, couched in language to benefit "Pakistani people", it is a tool to enable the USA government to put into effect its policy governing that part of the world. It is for us to learn our lessons from our past mistakes and formulate a new policy: when foreign powers choose to teach us those lessons we need to be on our guard, especially in relation to the Trojan horse of KLB and the huge influx of American “security guards”.
ReplyDeleteIn view of the intransigence and insensitivity displayed by the USA government, a fitting response is indeed a rejection by our National Assembly of the obnoxious clauses which have been woven into the bill – by Haqqani and Malik? – and leave it to the Americans to decide whether or not to offer the civilian aid. As for the Pakistan military, its involvement in America’s wars – remember there were no ‘militants’ until about 2005 when the Americans had already been in Afghanistan for over 3 years - has already cost Pakistan at least $35 billion. We ought to be asking the Americans for compensation. The alternative is to cease co-operation with the Americans and to pursue our interests in our own way. That could mean withholding permission for USA to send weapons and supplies to its occupation forces in Afghanistan through Pakistani territory. The Americans don’t seem to understand that the Afghans are now fighting a War of Resistance, a War of Freedom against foreigners occupying their land. To apply the ‘Taliban’ label to all Afghan resistance fighters is a hypocritical lie.
As for the “democracy” in Pakistan, it is in poor shape at the moment. Our parliamentarians are busy legalising their past and future criminal acts. Until we have a political system which gives the country democracy at the level of political parties, the principal beneficiaries of our political system will continue to be a single family or a small privileged class. We need to clean up this mess before we talk about giving control of the armed forces to self-serving politicians.
Dear fellow Pak Citizens,
ReplyDeleteKerry Lugar Bill is an insult to EVERY Pakistani. It is an attack on our sovereignity. Although, in theory, we have a choice to reject it but knowing how US has been successful in planting her own assets in Pakistani government and other offices, Pakistan have no choice in actuality.
So, by hook or crook, USA has attacked the sovereignity of Pakistan through this bill. We should consider it next to an all out declaration of war. To me, it is definitely a precursor to that war. I can tell you, like Veitnam/Afghanistan/Cuba/Venezuela/Iraq, US is going to face another HUMILIATING defeat. The only difference would be: there will be NO United States.
As a self-respecting Pakistani, I am more concerned with the content of the bill rather than just the humiliating language. Not that it is good but US has humiliated a LOT more in the past. Remember, the F-16 deal!!! Pakistan paid for some good number of F-16 plane but Big Bully USA stopped the delivery of those plane. They stayed rusting in the hangers of the desert of Texas and Arizona. On top of that, Pakistan was made to pay for the rent.
How HUMILIATING is that? This should have been enough to show the middle finger to USA and join the league of self-respecting nations like Iran, Venezuela, Cuba.
I appeal to my Pakistani brothers. This IS time that we topple the government of Zardari. We need strong people in parliament. We need those politicians who are loyal, like Marvi Memon. Please, be willing to reject Nawaz Sharif and other cronies who have the record of exploiting Pakistan.
I think we can still have a democratic government, if we can demand the removal of all corrupt officials from Pak government and courts of Pakistan. We need to do this and need to do this fast.
well said both Sakib and Asher, yes it is time to kick zardari out.
ReplyDelete