9/11 | Real Pak Nationalists

December 23, 2009

Anti-Americanism and the Future of Pakistan

Filed under: hypernationalists — Tags: 1971, 9/11, Afghanistan, Ahmad Faruqui, Al-Qaeda, anti-Americanism, CIA, conspiracy theories, Gen Ziaul Haq, india, iran, President Jimmy Carter, President Ronald Reagan, Shamshad Ahmad, Talat Masood, Taliban — admin @ 8:13 am

Hypernationalist anti-Americanism is a dangerous path for the nation's future.

Anti-Americanism has become quite the trend in much of the country, and this does not hold well for the future. A writer on this blog wrote last week that there were uncomfortable similarities with the political situation in Iran thirty years ago – a reaction against American involvement in the country that popularized a faux-nationalism hijacked by theocratic militants. Renowned defense analyst Ahmad Faruqui notices this as well in his column, Monday’s issue of Dawn, and notes that the conspiracies and anti-Americanism that is being stoked by hypernationalists is not in Pakistan’s interests.

Lost on the anti-Americanistas was the fact that the US was not obliged to provide $7.5bn over the next five years to Pakistan. If the Pakistanis did not like the conditions that came with the funds, they could simply decline the aid. As Senator Kerry put it, the US had plenty of other places on which to spend the money.

When it comes to anti-Americanism, there is little doubt that Al Qaeda and the Taliban lead the pack. But the rightwing parties are not too far behind. At a recent demonstration in Pakistan, bearded men held up placards that flaunted the Yankees in no uncertain terms: ‘Crush, Crush, America.’

But we must ask if this rabid anti-Americanism being promoted by hypernationalists is based in facts. It is easy to come up with wild conspiracy theories, but what happens if you put those same theories to a historical test? Faruqui does just that, and finds some real problems with the theories:

Anti-Americanism has also picked up converts in the mainstream print and electronic media. Conspiracy theories involving America are aired with increasing frequency. Even some leading figures from the diplomatic establishment have joined the fray.

The latest is Shamshad Ahmad, a former foreign secretary and former UN ambassador.

Speaking at a seminar in Karachi on state sovereignty, he went beyond the usual recital of grievances. That well-known list includes three major items. First, the US did not come to Pakistan’s aid during the 1965 war with India. This overlooks the fact that the war was initiated by Pakistan and that US arms were never meant to be used against India.

Second, it did not come to Pakistan’s aid in the 1971 war with India. This overlooks the fact that the war was triggered by the military’s ambitions to negate the results of the general elections and to rule in perpetuity.

Third, it abandoned Pakistan once the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan in 1989. This overlooks the fact that the US had not guaranteed Pakistan’s security for all times to come against enemies of all stripes.

The former foreign secretary, a strong proponent of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons but by no means a firebrand Islamist, stated: ‘The US had used us as a spy in the past to fulfil its motives, while now it is using us as a mercenary.’ And then came the clincher: ‘It is the US intervention, not the Russian intervention which has kept everything on the boil in the region.’

Some political analysts continue to indulge in conspiracy theories about the attack on Pearl Harbour on Dec 7, 1941 and the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. But Ahmad put himself in a class of one by saying that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan on Christmas Eve in 1979 was engineered by the US.

He said, ‘The Americans think and plan about things they want to achieve in 50 or 60 years. They created a vacuum in Afghanistan. So after the political manoeuvring in Afghanistan, the US created a way for the Soviet Union [to be] sucked in[to] that vacuum.’

The former senior diplomat, who knows the country’s history better than most, went on to say that the Americans got the Pakistanis on their side by saying that the Soviets were out to fulfil the czarist dream of building a warm water port. This is revisionist history. Right after the Soviet invasion, Gen Ziaul Haq put in a plea for the West’s help, saying that the Evil Empire was about to make a run for Gwadar. He famously rejected President Jimmy Carter’s $400m aid package by calling it peanuts. But when President Ronald Reagan offered him a $3.2bn package, he was all smiles.

These are the historical inaccuracies of a former foreign secretary. Someone who should know better. But the fantasies that are flying around discussion boards and drawing rooms across the country are even more outrageous.

An ultranationalist theory that is rapidly gaining currency in Pakistan is that there was peace in the region until the US arrived in October 2001. Several of the ultranationalists also subscribe to four ‘booster’ theories. Namely, that all of our problems are a result of the Americans.

First, that the US engineered the 9/11 attacks on itself. It needed an excuse to invade Afghanistan and control access to Central Asian natural gas. Second, that Osama bin Laden did not carry out the 9/11 attacks, that he is an American agent trained and armed by the CIA and that he was killed in December 2001. Third, that Al Qaeda does not exist. And fourth, that the Taliban are simply freedom-loving people trying to free their country from foreign occupation. The obvious theory about 9/11 has no vocal adherents in Pakistan. This argues that the attacks were carried out to draw the US into the region, inflame interfaith relations and provoke a holy war that would result in the revival of the caliphate.

This sort of thinking not only ignores the past, but imperils our future. Recall the words of Lt. Gen (retd) Talat Masood and his explanation of why anti-Americanism is a danger to our national defense. Faruqui picks up this same theme in his closing arguments for his column in Dawn:

With every passing week, Pakistan continues to inch towards the brink. Given the frequency of the Muslim-on-Muslim attacks that are now being mounted, it is moot whether Pakistan is a failing state or a failed state. Neither prognosis is good.

The US is not perfect. It has made its share of mistakes, domestically and internationally. A common charge levied by the anti-Americanistas is that the US acts in its own interests. That should be cause for celebration and not denigration. If only Pakistan would do the same. Instead of demonising America, it should turn on its own demons.

This rabid anti-Americanism is a danger to the future of Pakistan. The Iranians also thought that following the words of hypernationalist theocrats would save their nation. Instead, it set them back decades, and still today they are struggling to remove the suffocating regime. Once the militants take control, there is no more confusion about who is the real enemy of the people.

The Americans have made many mistakes, but they have also stood by Pakistan in the past. Today, they appear to be making real attempts at building a partnership with us. To suggest that we turn our backs on them and join hands with the hypernationalists is suicide. After all, there can be no argument that it was Americans who beat to death protestors of the Iranian regime. Inshallah we will not find ourselves in a similar future.

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November 3, 2009

The heart desires more!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: 9/11, Clinton, conspiracy theories, Extremism, foreign relations, Future, Islamic state, Militants, Suicide bombers — admin @ 2:05 pm

Agha Haider Raza puts forward an argument articulating to look more towards the future rather than harping upon the past.

Looking at the past week, one can see how resilient Pakistanis have become. Suffering numerous suicide bomb attacks and wide-spread military action, we are here yet again, still standing. But how long can we sustain ourselves at this current rate of demolition? How many times will we resist smacking the hammer on our own foot? Nowadays we seem to have become the offspring of Glenn Beck and the Republican Party. With a constant denial of the harsh reality and a love for misconstruing and fabricating baseless facts that just aim to maim the United States, we seem to be struggling. And when we struggle, we play the role of a secluded, spoilt child.

Prior to 9/11, we perfected this character, but now the circumstances have changed. We can no longer do as we please without being held accountable for our actions.Pakistan has suffered. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost at the hands of suicide bombs and ambush attacks. Women have lost husbands, sons and brothers and it is despicable at the number of families that have suffered. Much to the dismay of our right-wing journalists, I am not going to be making a presumed argument as to how India, Israel or even the United States are after Pakistan’s existence. It’s just not happening, guys! I feel it would also be fruitless to engage in a history lecture as to who gave rise to the mujahedeen since various institutions in our country groomed them. But by excluding so much, the foreign influence and historic aspect many would argue that I have no argument. But for a split second, would it be possible to sit and analyze how we can carry ourselves into the future rather than dissecting the past?

Many times a day, we read in the newspapers and on the internet, the extent by which America has extended its influence within Pakistan. From Blackwater to US diplomats wielding weapons and the constant chatter in regards to the Americans taking over our nuclear arsenal, we’ve heard it all. I would like to take this opportunity and remind my avid readers that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are not hidden in any underground garage that can be easily picked up by “US diplomat”. I have more faith in my military that protects such weapons than those journalists and commentators who seem to believe otherwise.

The United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, came and went. Although she was given a red-carpet upon landing, there were times where her reception was – well – jagged. Criticism and resentment towards the United States is understandable. Issues ranging from drone attacks (which is debatable!), alleged presence of US personnel and expansion of the US embassy are some of the concerns Pakistanis share. But how much credit have we given Hillary Clinton for taking the initiative of reaching out across the political spectrum? Firstly, she stayed for three days. Both President Bush and President Clinton had to arrive in secrecy in Pakistan, and the statements they made seem more like a photo-op than anything substantive. Upon meeting specific people, both Presidents took off and that was the end of their journey into Pakistan.

Secretary Clinton on the other hand, not only met those in office, but those outside of office as well. She took a step further and held a town-hall debate with students and met various journalists while giving time to Pashtun elders as well. But was this enough to please our right-wing journalists? Of course not! They had problems with the type of journalists she met, the transparency of the business leaders she conversed with and the lack of money she brought with her. Did they even dare comment on the extent to which she tried to rectify the failure of previous administrations? We only felt too proud, when a journalist claimed that we are fighting America’s war. Proud because we assumed someone was able to stand up to the mighty Clinton. Unfortunately, the moderator failed to realize that when a Pakistani is killed on a daily basis, it becomes the responsibility of our government and our military, thus our war.

I fail to understand how we keep asking for more aid money and assistance from around the globe, but at the same time are completely unwilling to be held accountable for the pennies we spend. We lambasted the IMF for bailing us out of near bankruptcy. No doubt the IMF places stringent conditions when offering loans, but is it safe to assume that if we had the money, we would not need to be borrowing? Pakistan’s tax-GDP ratio is a number that is so micro, I don’t think it would be visible here. On the other hand we enjoy receiving other countries money, as long as we do not tell them, where and how it is being spent. Frankly speaking, it is not fair to use aid money in this manner of secrecy, nor should we allow other countries to micromanage us, just because we have been given their aid money. This mantra of dil maange aur (the heart desires more) needs to stop. And can only stop if we are faithful to ourselves. Although we tend to be very egotistical when it comes all other issues, but taking a kashkol (begging bowl) to other countries seems to make us forget all about our ego.

Pakistan is at its wits end. We must take the reins of our future and grasp them tightly. Rooting out militants from South Waziristan is only a step towards cleansing our country of this disgusting and twisted ideology that causes inhumane persons to blow themselves up and kill others. Condemning the United States will not stop a child in Lahore from gathering a bogus understanding of Islam that will cause him to take the lives of others, nor will it rid us of the poverty in Karachi and unemployment issues in Peshawar. To counter this we need a united front in order to stop the ethnic tensions rising between us. This is where your role as a Pakistani citizen comes into play. All our lives we learnt not to point fingers at others, and now when the going gets tough, we find it only to easy blaming others for our predicaments. At the end of the day, we all know our destiny lies only in our hands; no other country has control over it. Believe it!

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July 26, 2009

How Do We Fix This Love Affair?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: 9/11, Afghanistan, aid, cooperation, foreign relations, Taliban, United States, US-Pak — admin @ 1:58 pm

Diving into the history of US-Pakistan relations may seem to be a good platform to initiate the conversation of this paper. However, I personally feel that consistently reminding ourselves of the roller coaster relationship we have had with the United States is not in our interests at this point in time. Focusing on the future with our national interest as our foremost priority should be the stance the Pakistan government needs to uphold. Meanwhile, the United States is also required to re-evaluate its strategy towards Pakistan in order to successfully gain the respect of Pakistani citizens.

The United States has always seemed to be Pakistan’s best friend when it only serves their own purpose. This is the common perception that Pakistani’s have of the US and has only been reaffirmed with the quick withdrawal of US assistance after the Soviets left Afghanistan, the placement of sanctions after testing the nuclear bomb and the billions of dollars of aid that Pakistan received after 9/11.

Many journalists in the US media argued against Pakistan’s acceptance of the Taliban and how this country of a 170 million people was sympathetic towards their radical cause. This constant reminder has made Americans grow wary of Pakistan and her citizens. However, this should not be the case. Pakistan has taken the war to the militants, and has gone to great lengths in order to root out those very terrorists who threaten Pakistan’s peace and security. The United States needs to acknowledge the work of the Pakistan Army and citizens. And in order to reduce the trust deficit, the US media community needs to stop portraying Pakistan in a dark image, especially in terms of leakage of nuclear weapons to terrorists and
the government falling to the Taliban.

First and foremost, the United States needs to not only successfully complete its mission in Afghanistan, but also more importantly, be a vital player in the rebuilding of this war torn nation. The United States is required to invest heavily in the Afghan infrastructure that has been bombarded while also focusing on basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, health and education for the Afghan people. The US needs to show serious commitment and firmness once the military offensive has completed, which must reciprocate into action as this would greatly benefit both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Secondly, the United States needs to show its commitment towards Pakistan through long-term goals and put to rest the perception of only short-term gains. No doubt, the United States has helped Pakistan greatly over the years. Since Pakistan’s inception, billions of dollars have been given in aid for both, military and non-military assistance. What we as a nation have to show for this aid may be difficult but surely the effects are not absent. Many private industries within Pakistan have US investors, whereas various sectors such as electrical energy, agriculture and development have also been given US assistance and logistics.

Although the United States has clearly helped Pakistan over the course of the past 62 years, more is required. But it is also Pakistan’s responsibility to not ‘expect’ aid merely for providing assistance.

We need to work on our internal political concerns in order to create a safe and secure democratic Pakistan. It is difficult to stabilize our democratic institutions primarily due to the years of military dictatorship that we as a nation have endured. Many assume it is the easier route to blame military dictators for the political and economic problems we face today but we as citizens are required to look at ourselves first before pointing the finger of blame upon others. It is here where I repeat Quaid’s words “united we stand,
divided we fall”.

We must as a nation start giving credit where it is due. We need to accept that the United States has been our ally and has provided assistance to us over the years. We Pakistanis have this tendency of often picking on the criticism and pointing out the flaws of a relationship. This style of criticism is not healthy nor is it constructive and with the roller coaster relationship we have had with the United States, it has provided much fodder for the hard line critics.

By correcting its foreign policy and making it more Pakistan friendly, the US may be doing itself more of a favor, while it would be protecting the national interest of both countries. It is difficult for any government to conduct business if it has dissatisfied its citizens. If the United States enjoys labeling itself as the beacon of democracy, it must represent itself through actions as well.

Championing for democracy requires that one promotes accountability, liberty and justice, freedom of speech and religion for all. President Obama today, is arguing the cause for health care reform but most importantly he is not acting unilaterally and is exhaustively attempting to bring republicans and democrats on board. This approach of acting in the interests of all parties involved should also be extending when determining foreign policy. The US and Pakistani governments need all the political capital they can gain when clearing our world of the menace of terrorism. This is a multilateral fight that requires trust, cooperation and understanding from both countries.

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