Daily Times

Just polite conversation and nothing tangible was the outcome of an unusual two-hour long meeting between Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and US President Barack Obama. One positive point was that both states reached a consensus about the ongoing war against terrorism. The US and Pakistan agreed to take effective action against all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba. The PM apprised the US President about Pakistan’s resolve to take effective action against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities. Why was this assurance on the part of Pakistan needed in the meeting? In fact, the US wants real and verifiable actions against terrorists. The US believes that Pakistan was not acting against all terrorist groups. There is a need to realise that the elimination of all kinds of terrorism is good for all. It is in the interests of Pakistan to take action against all terrorists without any discrimination. It will usher in an era of prosperity and peace for the Pakistani people as well.

There is a question whether Pakistan will be able to meet its commitment. The ground realities are quite different to what was pledged in Washington. The civilian government led by PM Nawaz Sharif seems powerless in taking policy decisions against all types of terrorists and extremist groups. Back in Pakistan, it has become a common perception that the security agencies are handling foreign policy and taking action against militants on a pick and choose basis. It was only the major incident of the APS school massacre in Peshawar that prompted a policy review regarding the treatment of militants. Pakistan started Operation Zarb-e-Azb against all types of militants and achieved some success. The US has lauded Pakistan’s recent successes but it wants a consistent policy. That is why it has urged Pakistan to continue the operation against all sorts of extremist groups. Both leaders also expressed their commitment to advance an Afghan-owned and -led peace and reconciliation process between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban, and called upon Taliban leaders to enter into direct talks with Kabul and work towards a sustainable peace settlement. Talks between the two leaders also covered other areas of interest and fields where both countries can cooperate and take mutual benefit from each other’s experience and expertise. During the course of the meeting, the US President lauded the Nawaz regime with praise that democracy was being consolidated in Pakistan on its watch. It is a fallacy to say that democracy is being strengthened under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif. Rather, what is emerging is a kind of dictatorship under the garb of democracy. That is a political setback for Nawaz Sharif. Besides other issues, the PM also raised the issue of Indo-Pakistan relations. There is nothing new in what has been said. President Obama and PM Sharif stressed that improvement in Pakistan-India bilateral relations would greatly enhance the prospects for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region. However, the US has refused to play any role in brokering any peace deal between India and Pakistan. The government of Pakistan needs to realise that the world in no longer interested in easing tensions between both neighbouring states and they have to tackle their problems themselves. Another issue that had gained much public attention was a possible nuclear deal between Pakistan and the US. But the US has categorically ruled out any kind of negotiations with Pakistan on an India-type civil nuclear deal, terming the reports in the media completely false.

Whatever was discussed and communicated after a meeting between the two leaders sounds good. However, the implementation of what was agreed seems far from realisation. Pakistan has made a commitment to the US that non-discriminatory action would be taken against all extremist groups. So far, Pakistan has been facing the accusation of indulging in proxy wars and carrying out a selective operation against militants. It is high time Pakistan got rid of all these allegations and proved to the world once and for all that it is serious in eliminating all types of militancy and has no soft corner for any extremist group. *