Daily Times

It was very heartening for me to note that we, as Pakistanis, are trying to regain some of our lost dignity. US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, came on his brief visit and left, unnoticed by the public. There was no massive holdup of traffic, no convoys rushing, sirens blPMaring, running over the odd citizen. No nothing.

Apparently, Pakistan had decided it was prepared to do without US aid, if necessary but, was no longer prepared for the refrain; ‘do more’. In fact, it was high time that the US began doing more. We are told that Pak-US relations will be “reset”. Terrific; and high time! It was Pompeo who had warned the International Monetary Fund(IMF) about assisting Pakistan, lest those funds be used to pay off China. It was gratifying to hear the same individual reassure Pakistan that US would not oppose any IMF assistance to us. Being American, he couldn’t help being pompous, though.

Let me reiterate here; The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a priceless opportunity for Pakistan, China, Russia, and whoever else joins in. All our years, we have heard of Pakistan’s “strategic location”. So far, this location has merely resulted in instability; caused by our own ineptitude but multiplied by competitive global interests in, controlling this location, or denying its control to competitive powers. For the first time, we hope to benefit from it.

Its critics, including myself, felt that our leadership was trading aAddresssway our benefits for peanuts. If they willingly accept terms that our leaders fail to negotiate, no blame attached is to the Chinese. Mr Dawood’s criticism of China was both impolitic and most undiplomatic. That Chinese would willingly renegotiate and offer better terms was never in doubt, we merely had to ask.

The likes of this author have heaved a sigh of relief. The Chinese are our friends, allies, and proven well-wishers, and will remain so. But, it is up to us to safeguard our national interests.

We have witnessed an act that has shamed us all, and should have shamed you, Imran Khan; your public surrender to forces of obscurantism and bigotry. I know your past and, therefore, was not surprised when you decided to sack Dr. Atif Mian from the EAC. It is a public display of spinelessness and succumbing to prejudice

How will these, and related developments, impact Afghanistan? Time will tell; but the die has been cast. Our course is now irrevocable. The next meeting is in Moscow, where the Afghan government and India will also be represented. Meantime, the Taliban are talking to the US and, quietly, even to the Afghans. One hopes that, once again, better sense will prevail and America will agree to talk to Haqqani as well.

However, Mr PM, it is well enough for you to ask critics to wait a 100 days before criticizing but, I am afraid that is not the way it works. We all, your Riaya, await with bated breath to see your government begin to move in some direction other than visits to the General Headquarters(GHQ), meaningless gestures of austerity, and promises, we have seen nothing substantial. Pakistan needs not a PM who oversees dams personally; but one who runs the country.

We have, however, witnessed an act that has shamed us all and, should have shamed you too i.e. your public surrender to forces of obscurantism and bigotry. I know your past and, therefore, was not surprised when you decided to sack Dr. Atif Mian from the Economic Advisory Council (EAC). Others were, It is a public display of spinelessness and succumbing to prejudice. I do not know Dr. Mian other than by reputation; which is impeccable.

You, PM, may not even know how much you put at stake by this act. There is no way of judging how many who had faith in you have lost it, or how many who might have responded favorably to your call for donations for dams and now, will not. But I will not be surprised at all if the loss is substantial.

What you fail to appreciate is that your committed support is from idealists; who are by definition, purists; for them it’s usually black and white. And, despite this act of yours, they do not wish to lose your image and see you for what you have repeatedly shown yourself to be. If it weren’t tragic, it might have been funny. Some of these purists and IK-believers have concocted an excuse for your act. They claim Atif was not sacked for being Ahmadi, but because he wanted to roll back Pakistan’s nuclear program. And those who resigned in protest; did so also because they felt the same way. It might seem amusing to some; but it makes me weep.

They refuse to give up their dream. Only today I received an email from another Ahmadi with an impeccable reputation; whom I am honored to call friend. He wrote on the challenges you are faced with in governance. He is already making excuses for you, if you fail. But, do you know how he mentions that possibility? He writes, “If even he (Imran) fails…”, as if you are an icon; a messiah descended from the Heavens. He will continue refusing to see you as anything less.

You are now our PM. PM of every citizen. It is the duty of every single one of us to help you succeed. Despite the shame I personally feel at your crossing over to join ranks with bigots, whether on your own or under pressure of bigoted advisers, I will enjoin all non-Imran-believers to also join hands to help. So, I say again. For the sake of those converted to Imran-believers; do something iconic; or as close to it as you can get.

The writer is a retired brigadier. He is also former vice president and founder of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)

Published in Daily Times, September 16^th 2018.