The recent outburst from US defence heads, calling the Haqqani Network averitable arm of the ISI (Inter Services Intelligence), has badly hit the loosely balanced US-Pak relations.A major portion of military aid for Pakistan has been suspended amid growing concerns over the military role in supporting the terrorist outfits operating in Afghanistan[i]. Diplomatic ties are on an all time low whereas a large number of US security officials have been sent packing. These relations have seen many highs and lows since the inception of Pakistan, with the then Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan, preferring to befriend USA instead of India or USSR. The dictator eras of President Ayub Khan (1958-1969), General Ziaul Haq (1978-1988) and General Pervez Musharrraf(1999-2008) witnessed brief revivals of ties with US, primarily on strategic considerations, but these revivals proved to be short-lived.
There has been much debate, both nationally and internationally, over the ongoing developments among both countries in recent times. The mellow-tone foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, also came in defence of her country by stating that Pakistan would comply with every US demand[ii]. Although tension was diffused, with statements in support of Pakistan and its role in War against Terror, yet more needs to be done reestablish the lost trust in relations. The unity displayed by the political parties of Pakistan in the All Parties Conference (APC), held on 29th of September to discuss the national security situation in wake of US allegations, was also instrumental in sending across a strong message. The country witnessed a positive development through this conference with the opposition leaders, particularly Nawaz Sharif ´ Chairman PML – N, openly questioning the army and doubting its role in the war on terror[iii].
Even though the right wing political parties have for long accused USA for being the root of all evil, mostly for political gains, they never questioned or pointed out the ruling elite for their wrong doings. The problems may explicitly be pertaining to USA and its involvement in War in Afghanistan in 1981 and the Oct 2001 War against terrorism, but a dispassionate look at the developments of the last decade or so alsosuggest that much of the problems stem from internal governance, skewed foreign policy preferences and democratic weaknesses. The War on Terror brought much harm to Pakistan but those were not the only factors for the current state of social security and economy.
If the number of people living below the poverty line has jumped from 27% (5 years ago), to a staggering 38%, it could not be attributed to any foreign force[iv]. Economic factors such as fall in growth rate, dismal tax- to- GDP ratio and the sliding Pakistani currency are all related to poor internal management and policies, and not external factors or USA. If director of the Swiss Banks claims that Pakistanis have a total of 97 billion dollars in the bank, this would mean that Pakistanis may be poor, but Pakistan is not[v]. The unemployment rate in Pakistan was estimated to be 15.4% in 2010 with a huge chunk of population categorized as underemployed[vi]. A country where the defence budget of 23 %( of the total annual budget) is three times the combined allocation for health and education i.e. 1.3% and 7.8% respectively, does not hold the right to blame others for its negligence and socio-economicdownturn.[vii]
There have been no investments in the power sector with millions of people suffering long power breakdowns. Elites, especially the parliamentarians top the list of tax evaders. Mian Nawaz Sharif, the opposition leader, reportedly paid only Rs. 5000 tax in 2009, ironically claiming in a TV program that he had nothing to do with family businesses and the amount was calculated on his personal assets[viii]. According to the assets statement of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani filed in 2009, he paid a mere Rs. 82973in income tax[ix].
The right wing religious parties are also carrying mass protests against the US not because of the latter Imperialist agenda, but because of losing the ‘favored’ status they used to enjoy in anti-Soviet war. On social fronts, ethnic and sectarian violence continues to jolt the country.Sunni militant groups such as Lashkare Jhangvi are targeting Shias of the Hazara origin in Balochistan, looking for opportunities to hit them. The Hazara rarely seem to leave their homes or neighborhood for fear of being targeted by the militants[x]. The ethno-political war in Karachi also took dozens of innocent lives in recent months, with August alone claiming almost 300 lives, a record toll in city history.[xi]The prime casualties of violence in Karachi primarily belonged to two major ethnicities ´ the Mohajirs and Pashtoons- living in the city. The aforementioned conflicts and acts of violence are part of internal political and ideological disagreements – a war for influence and territory – that again, cannot be blamed upon a foreign force.
Pakistan today stands as a state whose citizens are de-motivated, not because of foreign forces but because of incompetence of its ruling elite. The notion of Pakistan being a client state further demoralizes Pakistanis because many people agonize over the perception that actually the US controls Pakistan. The leaders failed to deliver what they promised. They failed to fulfill the dreams that were shown to voters in election campaigns. It is true that the War against Terror has cost Pakistan some 70 billion dollars so far and tainted it as an insecure, dangerous state (that supports terrorist groups), but the costinflicted by the ruling elite on the country and its people far outweighs these billions. Pakistan enemy lies within and not necessarily without. The outsiders only exploit internal weaknesses.
[i]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14099402
[ii]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15030928
[iii]http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/09/nawaz-questions-militarys-role-in-afghanistan/
[iv]http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/01/poverty-in-pakistan/
[vi]http://www.indexmundi.com/pakistan/unemployment_rate.html
[vii]http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3332425.htm
[viii]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RtSr5YOud8
[ix]http://www.pakistanviews.com/business/pm-gilani-paid-rs82973-tax-in-2008-2009.html