Another drone strike today, with conflicting death toll. The drone dropped 8 missiles in an area close to Wana, South Waziristan -- a militant safe haven. There has been no let-up in drone attacks, even as the government protests against them -- calling them 'counterproductive'. But, many say the government secretly admires the succeses that the predator strikes have been able to achieve. Up to top 20 leaders of Al-Qaeda have been killed, but with a very heavy civilian death. Something that the Taliban use as a tool for propaganda.
The government has also asked that the US provide this technology to Pakistani forces, a sign that they do indeed acknowledge their effectiveness.
A drone attack took place even as Zardari was in Washington, in the trilateral summit. But, CENTCOM chief, David Petraeus said on Monday that senior Al-Qaeda leadership had moved out of Afghanistan and into western Pakistan (seconding the assertion by Afghan president Karzai).
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
ALL ON BOARD
The PPP govt has been handling things very wisely. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has come out as a stalwart leader, a mediator between opposing political currents - and making sure all are on board.
He was also the one who mediated for the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, a mass movement that was fast threatening to destabilise the country, as the Taliban knocked on Islamabad's doors.
The national assembly session was a heartening break from the press conferences held by the Islamic hardlines, Jamat-i-Islami and the extremely confused, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The PM took all political forces in confidence over the operation. Some concern was raised by the PML-N over having not been informed earlier, but the party did not stage a walkout and completely supported the operation. It would have been better if the opposition had been informed, but even so, today’s national assembly session and the govt’s efforts to take all on board is remarkable. This is one of the good times in Pakistani politics.
The JUI staged a walkout, a party with Islamic ideology, but moderate as compared to the Jamat-i-Islami. The hallmark is again the anti-American rhetoric. The party walked out in protest of the operation, after having earlier warned the parliament of Taliban advances (some weeks ago).
Gilani also appealed for international aid for IDPs, announcing another 1 milion for the displaced people.
He was also the one who mediated for the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, a mass movement that was fast threatening to destabilise the country, as the Taliban knocked on Islamabad's doors.
The national assembly session was a heartening break from the press conferences held by the Islamic hardlines, Jamat-i-Islami and the extremely confused, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The PM took all political forces in confidence over the operation. Some concern was raised by the PML-N over having not been informed earlier, but the party did not stage a walkout and completely supported the operation. It would have been better if the opposition had been informed, but even so, today’s national assembly session and the govt’s efforts to take all on board is remarkable. This is one of the good times in Pakistani politics.
The JUI staged a walkout, a party with Islamic ideology, but moderate as compared to the Jamat-i-Islami. The hallmark is again the anti-American rhetoric. The party walked out in protest of the operation, after having earlier warned the parliament of Taliban advances (some weeks ago).
Gilani also appealed for international aid for IDPs, announcing another 1 milion for the displaced people.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Zardari’s Agenda in Washington
A decisive week has begun in Washington with top officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan participating in intense talks.
President Zardari spent much of his first day in Washington, visiting key congressional leaders and policymakers in advance of meetings with President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton later this week. The visits are part of what Holbrooke characterized as an unprecedented series of trilateral meetings aimed at coordinating strategy in the region.
Pakistan is seeking aid to recover from the war on terror, which has cost the country billions of dollars in monetary losses and hundreds of human lives (The Pakistan Army has suffered more casualties than NATO and US forces combined).
Zardari also held a 90-minute briefing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- making a case for the need of urgent US aid to Pakistan. It comes two days after two leading members of the Committee introduced legislation tripling nonmilitary aid to Pakistan.
The deployment of drones will feature prominently in talks in Washington between President Zardari and his US counterpart. Zardari is expected to demand that the Obama administration alter its drone attacks policy. As American officials recognize the US role in creating the insurgency in Pakistan, there is a definite, though grudging, change of mood in Washington.
The Telegraph says that the US is considering “halting drone attacks on Pakistan”.
Sources close to the administration said the policy, which is the only direct means the US has of targeting terrorist leaders, was being "re-evaluated" because of its adverse affect on public opinion and its value to the Taliban as a propaganda tool.
"I have no doubt there is a change of mood," said a Washington source. "The administration recognises that the political challenges are so immense for Pakistan's government that the US has to re-evaluate what it has regarded as an otherwise successful programme." – Telegraph - May 05, 2009
The safety of Pakistan's nukes has also come under increasing speculation in Washington, but more so in the US media -- an issue that has triggered much debate. But, back home, it's seen only as a perceived threat, an artificial warning. Zardari will have a job on his hands for this one too, assuring a nervous America that the nukes are under safe command.
Media in Pakistan has taken the Nuke hype pretty much as it took the '60 miles from Islamabad' hype. The exact distance of Buner from Islamabad is, by no means, an indicator of the Taliban taking over Pakistan. Similarly, just the fact that Pakistan has both nukes and the Taliban, does not mean they can take over the assets.
It’s a tough week for Pakistani officials in Washington, making their case as Senators ask pointed questions (not common in Pakistan’s political culture, but very much a part of US politics) – but the bigger fight awaits them back home. It seems that Islamabad may finally be turning a page and gearing up to fight the real threat to national security.
President Zardari spent much of his first day in Washington, visiting key congressional leaders and policymakers in advance of meetings with President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton later this week. The visits are part of what Holbrooke characterized as an unprecedented series of trilateral meetings aimed at coordinating strategy in the region.
Pakistan is seeking aid to recover from the war on terror, which has cost the country billions of dollars in monetary losses and hundreds of human lives (The Pakistan Army has suffered more casualties than NATO and US forces combined).
Zardari also held a 90-minute briefing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- making a case for the need of urgent US aid to Pakistan. It comes two days after two leading members of the Committee introduced legislation tripling nonmilitary aid to Pakistan.
The deployment of drones will feature prominently in talks in Washington between President Zardari and his US counterpart. Zardari is expected to demand that the Obama administration alter its drone attacks policy. As American officials recognize the US role in creating the insurgency in Pakistan, there is a definite, though grudging, change of mood in Washington.
The Telegraph says that the US is considering “halting drone attacks on Pakistan”.
Sources close to the administration said the policy, which is the only direct means the US has of targeting terrorist leaders, was being "re-evaluated" because of its adverse affect on public opinion and its value to the Taliban as a propaganda tool.
"I have no doubt there is a change of mood," said a Washington source. "The administration recognises that the political challenges are so immense for Pakistan's government that the US has to re-evaluate what it has regarded as an otherwise successful programme." – Telegraph - May 05, 2009
The safety of Pakistan's nukes has also come under increasing speculation in Washington, but more so in the US media -- an issue that has triggered much debate. But, back home, it's seen only as a perceived threat, an artificial warning. Zardari will have a job on his hands for this one too, assuring a nervous America that the nukes are under safe command.
Media in Pakistan has taken the Nuke hype pretty much as it took the '60 miles from Islamabad' hype. The exact distance of Buner from Islamabad is, by no means, an indicator of the Taliban taking over Pakistan. Similarly, just the fact that Pakistan has both nukes and the Taliban, does not mean they can take over the assets.
It’s a tough week for Pakistani officials in Washington, making their case as Senators ask pointed questions (not common in Pakistan’s political culture, but very much a part of US politics) – but the bigger fight awaits them back home. It seems that Islamabad may finally be turning a page and gearing up to fight the real threat to national security.
Washington Buzzing
President Zardari's visit to the US comes as the Pakistani government is struggling to build consensus on fighting the Taliban. Finally, some concerted effort can be seen. As the President is in the US, trying to somehow make sure that Islamabad and Washington are on the same page for the same fight -- PM Gilani is working for a political coalition at home.
Many US officials have visited Pakistan lately, and they've almost always met the opposition leader, PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif. It's more than obvious that the Americans have intervened to bring about some sort of a political agreement within Pakistan. The breaking up of the ruling coalition, the subsequent developments, and the Long March had severely hampered the government's efforts to rein in a rising militancy + insurgency.
Hilary Clinton admitted that the US created problems for Pakistan, and later abandoned it. Senator Kerry (who visited Pakistani recently), has tabled a bill to triple non-military aid to Pakistan--along with Senator Richard Lugar. He also acknowledged that a shocking number of Pakistanis look at America as more of a threat than the Taliban.
Now, why this hatred for America? The Pakistani media has a big role to play, followed by the highly unpopular drone attacks. Last month, an American newspaper quoted a Bahria University professfor as having 'researched' and come out with the conclusion that the tribals actually favour drone attacks. Not a reliable report, since the newspaper did not give out enough information about the 'research'. Must be mentioned here that it's extremely hard to do ground research in FATA, due to the security situation.
Americans are unpopular for many reasons. A simple one is: Drone attacks are not avenged in the US, they are avenged on Pakistani soil by taking Pakistani lives. It would be hard to calculate how many Pakistanis have died in revenge suicide bombings in the recent months alone, to pressure the government to stop aiding NATO and US troops in Afghanistan. Reports have surfaced that the ISI works in collaboration with the Americans for their drone targets. They're probably not baseless, but Pakistan has repeatedly asked for drone control (in a sense admitting their effectiveness). There's a definite trust deficit between Islamabad and Washington.
As Zardari and other top officials visit Washington, something that should be on the cards is the Afghan funding of the insurgency in Pakistan. The Taliban have been able to recruit in large numbers, taking advantage of the neglected FATA and FANA regions. There are reports that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan pays its men up to 10,000 a month, with free meals, clothing, weapons etc.
But what the US is missing here is the drug trade in Afghanistan, which is the backbone of this insurgency. Drugs that are consumed in Europe and America pay for the weapons which kills Pakistani soldiers and citizens. Even as Richard Holbrooke acknowledge today that driving insurgents out of Afghanistan means they'll create havens in Balochistan -- there is a lack of understanding in Washington on how to deal with this problem. Everyone knows that until there is a relatively stable Afghanistan, there won't be stability in Pakistan's North-West. But, the solution that the US is looking for in Afghanistan is drastically different from what Islamabad terms as acceptable in the neighbouring country.
The United Stats has failed terribly in the externally imposed counter-insurgency operation in Afghanistan. As the US prepared its democratic triumph in Kabul, the Taliban regrouped in Kandahar. As lawmakers here tried to explain the Nizam-e-Adl regulation (pact with Swat Taliban), the TTP reorganised its ranks. But, mercifully, the army didn't wait and watch for too long -- they're back in, now with all of Malakand infested with militants.
This is not a small fight, it doesn't end at Swat. You crack down on them in Malakand, they'll reappear in Balochistan.
The trouble is, a coordinated, multi-faceted and well-funded effort is needed. As President Zardari, DG ISI and DG MO are in Washington -- there' s some hope that the two administrations may see eye to eye.
Many US officials have visited Pakistan lately, and they've almost always met the opposition leader, PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif. It's more than obvious that the Americans have intervened to bring about some sort of a political agreement within Pakistan. The breaking up of the ruling coalition, the subsequent developments, and the Long March had severely hampered the government's efforts to rein in a rising militancy + insurgency.
Hilary Clinton admitted that the US created problems for Pakistan, and later abandoned it. Senator Kerry (who visited Pakistani recently), has tabled a bill to triple non-military aid to Pakistan--along with Senator Richard Lugar. He also acknowledged that a shocking number of Pakistanis look at America as more of a threat than the Taliban.
Now, why this hatred for America? The Pakistani media has a big role to play, followed by the highly unpopular drone attacks. Last month, an American newspaper quoted a Bahria University professfor as having 'researched' and come out with the conclusion that the tribals actually favour drone attacks. Not a reliable report, since the newspaper did not give out enough information about the 'research'. Must be mentioned here that it's extremely hard to do ground research in FATA, due to the security situation.
Americans are unpopular for many reasons. A simple one is: Drone attacks are not avenged in the US, they are avenged on Pakistani soil by taking Pakistani lives. It would be hard to calculate how many Pakistanis have died in revenge suicide bombings in the recent months alone, to pressure the government to stop aiding NATO and US troops in Afghanistan. Reports have surfaced that the ISI works in collaboration with the Americans for their drone targets. They're probably not baseless, but Pakistan has repeatedly asked for drone control (in a sense admitting their effectiveness). There's a definite trust deficit between Islamabad and Washington.
As Zardari and other top officials visit Washington, something that should be on the cards is the Afghan funding of the insurgency in Pakistan. The Taliban have been able to recruit in large numbers, taking advantage of the neglected FATA and FANA regions. There are reports that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan pays its men up to 10,000 a month, with free meals, clothing, weapons etc.
But what the US is missing here is the drug trade in Afghanistan, which is the backbone of this insurgency. Drugs that are consumed in Europe and America pay for the weapons which kills Pakistani soldiers and citizens. Even as Richard Holbrooke acknowledge today that driving insurgents out of Afghanistan means they'll create havens in Balochistan -- there is a lack of understanding in Washington on how to deal with this problem. Everyone knows that until there is a relatively stable Afghanistan, there won't be stability in Pakistan's North-West. But, the solution that the US is looking for in Afghanistan is drastically different from what Islamabad terms as acceptable in the neighbouring country.
The United Stats has failed terribly in the externally imposed counter-insurgency operation in Afghanistan. As the US prepared its democratic triumph in Kabul, the Taliban regrouped in Kandahar. As lawmakers here tried to explain the Nizam-e-Adl regulation (pact with Swat Taliban), the TTP reorganised its ranks. But, mercifully, the army didn't wait and watch for too long -- they're back in, now with all of Malakand infested with militants.
This is not a small fight, it doesn't end at Swat. You crack down on them in Malakand, they'll reappear in Balochistan.
The trouble is, a coordinated, multi-faceted and well-funded effort is needed. As President Zardari, DG ISI and DG MO are in Washington -- there' s some hope that the two administrations may see eye to eye.
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