[Peace-discuss] A Pakistani view of the US war

[C. G. Estabrook]

State of Pak-US trust deficit
Published: December 21, 2010
A. R. Jerral

The Washington Post in a recent story has accused the Pakistan army of 
“hampering the US Embassy operation”; the story is based on the leaked US 
embassy cables sent to the State Department in 2009. This accusation is levelled 
against Pakistan after almost a decade of our military cooperation in America’s 
so-called war on terror. Irony is that in this war Pakistan has suffered more 
casualties - dead and wounded - than the Americans and its western allies. Why 
does this trust deficit linger on, no one is able to explain.

Pakistan went over to the American side in early 1950s and became active in 
America’s anti-communist bloc. Our declared anti-Soviet political stance cost us 
dearly in the UNO over the Kashmir issue, yet Pakistan steadfastly remained in 
the American camp. But the US never came out clearly in support of Pakistan in 
all its political problems in the region; Kashmir is a glaring example. During 
General Zia’s rule Pakistan was the frontline state in America’s war against the 
Soviet Union in Afghanistan. The perils that befell Pakistan are no secret. The 
populace suffered drug menace, rise of gun culture resulting into the rise of 
terrorism and economic depression. Since 2001, we are headlong into the war on 
terror fighting for and on behalf of the US. These so-called terrorists are 
undoubtedly America’s creation. They were collected from all over the world 
against the Soviet troops and hailed as mujahideen and freedom fighters, and 
were paid by the CIA. They were abandoned after the Russian defeat and having 
lost their paymaster became available to anyone who had use for them and could 
pay for their services; they became terrorists.

General (retd) Pervez Musharraf stood by President George Bush whole-heartedly 
in his attack on Afghanistan. Since the fateful night when Pakistan was 
confronted with the “either with us or against us” ultimatum, it is deeply 
involved in USA’s war on terror. Even after nine years of active involvement in 
this alliance against terrorism, Pakistan remains suspect of double cross. 
Presently, we have leaders, who have given an open-ended permission to the 
American troops to launch drone attacks inside the Pakistani territory. 
President Asif Zardari, as described by Bob Woodward in his book titled Obama’s 
Wars told the CIA “to aggressively attack Al-Qaeda leaders in his country.” 
Zardari, reportedly, said: “Collateral damage worries you Americans. It does not 
worry me.” Thus, Pakistan’s leaders in loyalty to the Americans have accepted 
the killing of their own people willingly. What more can be offered in proof of 
our ‘loyalty’?

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/21-Dec-2010/State-of-PakUS-trust-deficit