While there is no denying the fact that
better relations between India and Pakistan are in the best interest of both
the countries, should these be based on ‘subservience’, acceptance of India’s
hegemony and by compromising on Pakistan’s national interests, is the question
which must agitate the minds of those who are critically following the
developments in the last four years.
Either due to the lack of understanding
of the intricacies of Indo-Pak relations or as a well thought-out agenda, which
in President Zardari’s perception is the right course to adopt or he is forced
to adopt as per dictates of those who brokered NRO, Pakistan is in the making
of a ‘pliant’ state, as envisaged by USA-India Nexus. Few under-mentioned
important statements, decisions, actions, or lack of action vis-a-vis India and
their relation with what has been happening within Pakistan would substantiate
the assertion.
(1)After assumption of power, in his
first important statement on relations with India, President Zardari stated
that India never was, is and would be a threat to Pakistan. Then, while talking
to the Indian audience, the President promised ‘no first use of nuclear
weapons’. While making these statements either the President had no clue of the
implications of such statements or these were made as per agenda given by those
who are endeavouring to undermine Pakistan’s nuclear capability. He should have
known that our nuclear strategy is based on minimum deterrence against
conventional threat from India and such statements would put a question mark on
our nuclear programme.
(2)Kashmir issue remains a major
irritant between Pakistan and India. Though we should have no doubt that
neither wars nor using militancy as an instrument would bring about any
solution to the problem, yet the criminal silence of the present Government on
Kashmir is intriguing. All indicators are they have compromised on the issue.
Recent announcement of bounty on Hafiz Saeed by USA would put further pressure
on those who could have questioned Government’s apparent u-turn on
Kashmir. Placing Kashmir issue on the
back-burner has always been desired by the USA and India. Thus, a desire fulfilled.
(3)In the obtaining environment, space
for traditional application of military instrument is gradually shrinking and
non-traditional security threats are taking centre stage in which the
intelligence agencies are expected to play a major role. In this regard,
Government’s earlier attempt to place ISI under Ministry of Interior, the offer
of sending DG ISI to India after Mumbai attacks and now the undermining of ISI
through a very well orchestrated propaganda plan are alarming developments.
Nothing would please India and USA more than to see ISI undermined.
(4)No doubt, the Government is within
its right to grant of MFN status to India. However, taking into consideration
the present plight of our own industry, made redundant by power shortages, high
tariff and lack of competitive environment, the decision does raise certain
suspicions – whether the decision was taken in Pakistan’s interest or as part
of a given agenda, especially when there are clear indicators that the
Government itself is instrumental in destroying the country’s industry. The
decision would surely make Pakistan economically dependent on India.
(5)Though the construction of new
hydroelectric power projects and dams by India on the rivers feeding Pakistan
in violation of Indus Water Basin Treaty and recently proposed construction of
link canals to divert water from these rivers, are extremely detrimental to
Pakistan’s future, yet the lack of meaningful response to these developments by
the Government is beyond comprehension. Even our other political leaders, media
and the masses in general are showing indifference to this issue which actually
should be considered as a matter of life and death for Pakistan. No need to
emphasise that control over the water of these rivers would make Pakistan totally
dependent on India’s good-will.
Thus, the recent developments vis-a-vis
India are reminiscence of how the British East India Company made ingress into
the Mughal Empire by pleasing the kings and the masses remained either ignorant
or indifferent to the developments, ultimately rendered subservient to the
British Raj and accepted the change as their destiny. Similarly, Indo-US Nexus
has an agenda to convert Pakistan into a ‘pliant state’, President Zardari
seems to be obliging and the masses are inclined to accept the fait accompli,
as manifested by their indifference to the present happenings.
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