Daily Times

By the tick of the clock, just at sunset every day, they come out of their hideouts or safe havens, fearlessly waiting for electric lamps to be switched on. Once the lights are on, they stay for the night, hunting and having a feast on mosquito, flies, “parvanai the lovers of shamma the lit light” moth and all that hitting the wall out there. Finally, thankfulness to sunrise and daylight, they return to their hideouts, leaving us in peace and a scenario acceptably acceptable.

Lag between beliefs and success achieved in a given field (such as defence) calls for re-thinking of policies to ensure a balance and action required by groups, including governments. ‘Group-think’ may oftentimes prevail on individuals and their views. An objective analysis requires focus on facts and surrounding informed opinions as a face of reality.

Threats and blame-game cannot help understand the position on ground and that what is needed to ponder on problems and issues and possible solutions and strategies required to make that possible.

Logical assumptions are necessary for realistic conclusions. Mere allegations against Pakistan cannot assure the United States forces a victory against terrorists in Afghanistan. Pakistan has shown and demonstrated its commitment to the United States against terrorist outfits. Pakistan has done enough in response to the ‘do more’ demand. It is about time America stopped its practice of making Pakistan scapegoat for its own failures in Afghanistan.

The US leadership should clearly admit Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror, acknowledge the country’s capabilities to successfully root out terrorism and for its commitment to continuing war against terrorism even under extreme internal and external pressures and unfavourable circumstances. Courageous conversations come from the heart. Intention as a courageous conversation wants to take the relationship to a higher level. Focus is on facts and to explore different possibilities which you can explore together with others. Things can work well with this perspective to find solutions to issues and problems. Moreover, you have to own the situation for a way forward.

The US leadership should clearly admit Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror, acknowledge the country’s capabilities to successfully root out terrorism and for its commitment to continuing war against terrorism even under extreme internal and external pressures and unfavourable circumstances

The United States administration needs to look at things with its own eyes. It must ensure that no biases enter in the situation because of `intervening factors’ of its newfound friends who have always played a double game. Moreover, these new friends of the United States are the sponsors of all terrorism imported to Pakistan. Defence Secretary James Mattis hopefully knows that his visit would not be meaningful attempting to coerce Pakistan for the failures of the United States in Afghanistan. ‘Carrot and Stick’ approach was an old trick, which is no longer workable, specially, in view of losses Pakistan suffered from human and material sacrifices.

The war on terror continues and Pakistan has sacrificed the most for the sake of regional and world peace and prosperity of the people who need to improve their socio-economic status. In view of these facts and circumstances, there is hardly any justification for Americans to channel out anger on Pakistan. The CIA and Defence Department seem to be going in opposite directions.

American frustration is understandable, but it is because of its own failed policies. There is resistance to every policy and tactic designed to combat insurgency on Afghan soil. It is sad to say things have gone wrong because of the American attitude which has almost always been negative. It would be better to consider finding solution to the Afghan conundrum through an alternate approach with the assistance of regional governments. Afghan people themselves are the best source to resolve the issue if they cooperate with friends who wish to help.

If Defence Secretary Mattis wishes to find and identify common grounds which Pakistan and Afghanistan could act on, he may proceed on that line in consultation with both countries in a joint meeting with them. That may go a long way to improve bilateral relations, take stock of regional situation, bring peace to Afghanistan and its neighbourhood and ultimately help put eradicate terrorism. If intentions are sincere, the task can become easier.

The writer is a former Director of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Government of Pakistan, a political analyst, a public policy expert and an author. His book Post 9/11 Pakistan was published in the United States

Published in Daily Times, December 8^th 2017.