Daily Times

The new national security strategy of the United States signifies a major shift in power structure which will impact China, Russia and Pakistan. Trump’s policy and strategy vision is linked to having India as its dependable defence ally in any confrontation with China. India’s growing influence in the region, backed by the Trump administration, should not be a reason for the country having a role of any sort in Afghanistan. That would not be acceptable to Pakistan. Pakistan is victim of Indian sponsored terrorism. And that is a ground reality. 70 years of tensions between India and Pakistan bear testimony to this reality.

In spite of the United States presence in Afghanistan, terrorist attacks are carried out on Pakistan’s territory from across the Pak-Afghan border. Terrorists crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan come unhindered. Why are they not checked by Afghan military and the American forces present in Afghanistan? Why is the United Nations not taking notice of Indian cross-border firing and killing of innocent Pakistani citizens every day? Why is Trump administration indifferent to human rights violations in Indian held Kashmir? And what is the justification for Indian violation of line of control (LOC) on almost a daily basis?

Answers to all these questions relate to the US’s lack of objectivity and biases against Pakistan in spite of the country’s human and material sacrifices in the war against terror. The new crusade is dangerous for regional and international peace and the obvious need is for objectivity and justice against prejudice, hate and injustice. These are forces healing to poverty, ignorance and insult to humanity. Hate and prejudice may the causes of extreme behaviour and terrorism, if you come to think of it with cool mind.

Pakistan-US relationship is on a continuum of divergence and convergence. Middle ground is important. In view of existential questions and threats from neighbouring countries, there is hardly any scope of compromise on national security issues. Reality requires tough stand and firm policy decisions to defend Pakistan’s ideological and geographical frontiers. Military stands with the civilian administration to strengthen democracy in Pakistan. Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terror must be acknowledged.

In spite of the United States presence in Afghanistan, terrorist attacks are carried out on Pakistan’s territory from across the Pak-Afghan border. Terrorists are able to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan completely unhindered

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 government. ‘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.

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.

Tensions between India and Pakistan are pointless. The two countries need to work together for peace, justice and prosperity of their people. They have a common history of living together peacefully for over one thousand years. Peace in South Asia is essential for world peace and sovereignty of the two countries. Political leaders have to talk in this perspective to seek solutions to all issues and problems.

Long-term perspective on economy and society requires an enabling culture which is obviously missing. Political governments don’t know how long they will last. Policy uncertainty is built into the system and as a consequence, successive governments are not interested in structural reforms and strengthening of institutions. Good governance remains an unfinished agenda. This is a moot point for all political parties and analysts.

One World Observatory may be an extension of the original concept of the Empire State Building, with more of capitalism and technological/scientific engineering skills reflected in a form grandeur.

In this memorial do we see a connection between 250 people killed in 9/11 attacks in New York and thousands of innocent killed and unrelated countries destroyed? Weapons of mass destruction were never found. Hate mongering has not ended. War on terror continues. Sanity must prevail for the sake of peace and humanity.

Reality of internal and external threats cannot be denied by us in Pakistan. We need to keep our eyes open and plans functioning. Out of box solutions become imperative for the health and strength of the state institutions. Drift cannot be allowed as it threatens the state.

Crying over spilt milk is not the norm for the brave and bold to follow. The need of the hour is to think positively to ponder on where you have erred. Corrective process is the prescription. If it is a conspiracy why was it allowed to happen when things were within your control to do everything and not let anyone violate the norms of democracy and good governance?

Mass contact with people will pay off in the next general elections. In the meantime, it is important to dig down facts as to who was backing dharnas (sits ins) and street politics aimed at a sort of civil disobedience and conquering the capital? Ultimately, the people suffer when disgruntled elements negate the need for unity, faith and discipline.

It is regrettable that religion is put at the attar of bad politics, and exploitation of the people is practiced by those who mislead them. You are the winner if you are able to make a convincing argument of your strengths and positivity instead of pointing finger at opponents. Thankful to the wisdom and tasteful behaviours that lead us to humility and respectability. If you do good let it be an example for others to follow.

It is important for our leaders to see things on basis of verified and verifiable facts. All spheres of human life need guidance from intellectual and moral values for tension free society. I follow the said values and advocate the same for the sake of international peace.

The writer is 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 23^rd 2017.