Started with a slow pace, the drone attacks have taken a heavy toll of human lives in tribal areas of Pakistan. In so far over 250 drone attacks since 2004, thousands of innocent Pakistanis have either lost their lives, wounded or disabled. Over the last two years, the frequency of drone attacks has increased manifold. On March 17, 2011, a CIA driven US drone attack killed forty-six innocent tribal of the Madakhel tribe in Dattakhel, North Waziristan Agency. None of the jirga participant belonged to any militant outfits, rather they gathered to settle a local dispute as per the tribal customs.
Though US drone attacks have always been irrational and provocative, and against the sovereignty of the Pakistan. However, this drone attack has lot of nuances. Just a day earlier, Pakistan had released a US national, Raymond Davis, a CIA operative, involved in the murder of two Pakistani citizens, besides remaining involved in many undesired activities. It was expected that upon his release, US would be obliged and there would be a constructive change in the Pak-US bilateral relationship. But, it was otherwise, CIA drone had arrogantly killed 46 Pakistanis, the very next day and its Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mullen demanded military operation in North Waziristan on the day following the drone attack. All these acts of US are interlinked, meaning that, US does not care Pakistan and would take its own course. Analyst believe that, “This is an arrogant US response. Twelve missiles in one day is not routine,” or else, it is an indication of US “unhappiness with the Pakistan’s command structure”.
Since 2009, US has been pressurizing Pakistan to launch a military operation in NWA. Pakistan, however, had a different point of view and believes that any military actions on its territory has to be undertaken, keeping ground realities in view. After all Pakistan cannot kill its masses on the desires of a foreign power. Why cannot ISAF seal the Afghan side of the Pak-Afghan border, thus substantially ceases the chances of any infiltration from the Pakistani side, if there is any?
The above incidents are indicative of the fact that, US would still like to follow its policy of targeting any one: militant or otherwise, at anytime and anywhere, without taking Pakistani consent. On its part, Pakistan cannot afford US drone attacks and dictations. After all “We are not Djibouti or Algeria, we are a nuclear state, and Americans need to respect us”. Condemnation of attack by prime minister and army chief, and handing over of demarche to US ambassador, after summoning him in the Foreign Office has not brought any change in US attitude. Neither US seems bothered about Pakistani decision of pulling out from the tri-lateral ministerial meeting, scheduled to be held on March 26, 2011.
There is a need that fundamentals of Pak-US relationship should be revisited. After all United States should not treat Pakistan as a client state. On their part the people of Pakistan have strongly reacted against the drone attack as well as the release of the Raymond Davis. Indeed, by killing these innocent people, US has committed, a “worst form of human rights violation”. Pakistan feels that US should respect its sovereignty, contrary to the one sided affair so far. In its history, Pakistan has done a lot for US, even at the cost of its national interest. Now it is about time that it’s spying agencies should stop playing double games with Pakistan. As history indicates, nations who strived to live with dignity and respect always forcefully guarded their sovereignty, once disrespected others. In all eventualities, US cannot be allowed to launch drone attacks on Pakistanis, nor can its spying agents be allowed to kill innocent Pakistani nationals.
If American might could do nothing against the tiny Communist state of Cuba, situated next door to it, we should not be afraid of its fury. Only we should learn to live, as a nation having national pride, integrity, independence and above all the sovereignty.
Though US drone attacks have always been irrational and provocative, and against the sovereignty of the Pakistan. However, this drone attack has lot of nuances. Just a day earlier, Pakistan had released a US national, Raymond Davis, a CIA operative, involved in the murder of two Pakistani citizens, besides remaining involved in many undesired activities. It was expected that upon his release, US would be obliged and there would be a constructive change in the Pak-US bilateral relationship. But, it was otherwise, CIA drone had arrogantly killed 46 Pakistanis, the very next day and its Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mullen demanded military operation in North Waziristan on the day following the drone attack. All these acts of US are interlinked, meaning that, US does not care Pakistan and would take its own course. Analyst believe that, “This is an arrogant US response. Twelve missiles in one day is not routine,” or else, it is an indication of US “unhappiness with the Pakistan’s command structure”.
Since 2009, US has been pressurizing Pakistan to launch a military operation in NWA. Pakistan, however, had a different point of view and believes that any military actions on its territory has to be undertaken, keeping ground realities in view. After all Pakistan cannot kill its masses on the desires of a foreign power. Why cannot ISAF seal the Afghan side of the Pak-Afghan border, thus substantially ceases the chances of any infiltration from the Pakistani side, if there is any?
The above incidents are indicative of the fact that, US would still like to follow its policy of targeting any one: militant or otherwise, at anytime and anywhere, without taking Pakistani consent. On its part, Pakistan cannot afford US drone attacks and dictations. After all “We are not Djibouti or Algeria, we are a nuclear state, and Americans need to respect us”. Condemnation of attack by prime minister and army chief, and handing over of demarche to US ambassador, after summoning him in the Foreign Office has not brought any change in US attitude. Neither US seems bothered about Pakistani decision of pulling out from the tri-lateral ministerial meeting, scheduled to be held on March 26, 2011.
There is a need that fundamentals of Pak-US relationship should be revisited. After all United States should not treat Pakistan as a client state. On their part the people of Pakistan have strongly reacted against the drone attack as well as the release of the Raymond Davis. Indeed, by killing these innocent people, US has committed, a “worst form of human rights violation”. Pakistan feels that US should respect its sovereignty, contrary to the one sided affair so far. In its history, Pakistan has done a lot for US, even at the cost of its national interest. Now it is about time that it’s spying agencies should stop playing double games with Pakistan. As history indicates, nations who strived to live with dignity and respect always forcefully guarded their sovereignty, once disrespected others. In all eventualities, US cannot be allowed to launch drone attacks on Pakistanis, nor can its spying agents be allowed to kill innocent Pakistani nationals.
If American might could do nothing against the tiny Communist state of Cuba, situated next door to it, we should not be afraid of its fury. Only we should learn to live, as a nation having national pride, integrity, independence and above all the sovereignty.
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