This is a Pakpotpourri Exclusive
Restraint on Counter Insurgency Funds….a Blessing In Disguise?
By: YASMEEN ALI 
The statement of the Secretary of State for US has become a joke in Pakistani drawing rooms.
“Pakistan must Do more”.
The 9/11 attacks resulted in 2,996 deaths. Out of this, 246 on the planes,2606 in towers and on ground, 126 at the Pentagon. The attack justified invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq & attacks on the “ally on war of terror”, Pakistan. USA has come a long way since. The policy of extrajudicial killings survived the Bush era in post 9/11 and has intensified from an estimated 45 attacks to 200 under Obama. Few killed in these attacks have been militants, mostly civil casualties. According to the New American Foundation only 2% of deaths have been of the militants. But that’s ok. That’s why the term “collateral damage” was coined, no?
Pakistan Army has been engaged in a non conventional war since then. Fighting against an enemy within. Parts of Pakistan lies destructed, millions displaced, civil amenities destroyed with increasing pressure on Pakistan to now target North Waziristan.
However, Pakistan needs to “Do More”. Or else!
In an article carried by Pakhtoonistan Gazette on 10th April 2011, Muhammad Tahir comments on the White House Report claiming that Pakistan has no “clear path” to defeat militants on it’s soil.
My humble submission, dear readers, is, neither does USA.
However, Pakistan needs to “Do More”. Or else!
To ensure Pakistan does”do-more”, US lawmakers approved tougher scrutiny over the $1.1 billion counterinsurgency funds for Pakistan. Congress will have 30 days to review administration spending plans before 75% of the funds can be released.
Democratic Representative Norman Dicks is bull’s eye when he says that a choice must be made where to spend the funds. On American people. Or on foreign wars. “I think that is a choice we are all going to have to consider in the days ahead,” he said. True! However, the “ally on war of terror” has no such right to prioritize the needs of their country!
Pakistan must “Do More” or else!
The Kerry Lugar Bill, already stipulated that for the fiscal years 2011 through 2014, no security-related assistance may be provided to Pakistan in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State, under the direction of the President, makes the certification required under the bill provision, for such fiscal year.
However, Pakistan must “Do More”, or else!
A friend wrote,” Pakistan has been relegated to the level of a “tea boy” working in the street restaurant for it’s master. The tea boy must do to his master’s bidding……or else….!”
What must Pakistan do?
For starters, try developing some dignity and stop being so damn apologetic. After that, strengthening her position in the South West Asia Region. Developing trade and other treaties with countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh & China. Of course any closeness with China will be frowned upon by the restaurant owner, who may decide to deduct the tea-boy’s pay on some pretext at the end of the month. A risk worth taking?
Should Pakistan look towards Germany for arms sales? Germany is a rising power in the arms trade business. A study by the U.S. Congressional Research Service puts Germany, with an 8 percent share of the global market, at No. 3 behind the United States (41 percent) and Russia (10.5 percent).
One thing Pakistan needs to do pronto: stop expecting others to look after HER national interests. This is the task of Pakistan herself. Not others! Unless, she wants to remain the “tea-boy” for the rest of the “war on terror?”
Yes Pakistan must “Do More”. However, not by anyone else’s definition but by her own!
(The writer is a lawyer based in Lahore, Pakistan. She teaches in a University and can be reached at yasmeen.a.9@gmail.com)
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Comments
I’m afraid you’ve lost me! Are you suggesting we hop from one arms supplier to another? From America to Europe? Are you not aware that most thinking CIVILIANS (at least) blame the SYNDICATED military industrial complex for all the trouble in the world? Precisely what subject or subjects do you teach in the university you’re at?
*** This Message Has Been Sent Using BlackBerry Internet Service from Mobilink ***
Indian Army wants 50 percent increase in officer cadre
Monday, June 13, 2011
New DELHI: The Army has projected that it will need 16,222 more officers by 2020 to meet the demands of modernization slated for the 12th Plan period (2012-2017) and beyond, according to Indian media.
With the 1.13-million Army now finally going in for a major “transformation” and modernization drive to counter China and Pakistan, it is looking to increase its officer cadre by as much as 50% to man that drive. Top defence ministry sources said the Army has projected that it will need 16,222 more officers by 2020 to meet the demands of modernization slated for the 12th Plan period (2012-2017) and beyond.
The Army, Navy and IAF continue to grapple with a severe shortage of officers, failing as they are to attract enough youngsters with OLQs (officer-like qualities) despite substantial salary raises after the 6th Pay Commission. The Army, the world’s second largest after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, is short of around 12,500 officers against its “sanctioned strength” of 47,864.
Mashallah Great Effort , iam so Imprss ur Work:) Keep It Up ,
Yasmeen Sahiba, I very much agree with the final line in your blog.
Hi Yasmeen,
Great article.
Ardeshir
Sent from my iPod
Good. Seems our women have more self respect and guts than our men. We can’t do more. We must start doing less and let the Coalition face the consequences. Reimbursement of Coalition support funds can now be stopped or delayed because of political linkage (US President now has to certify before release!). Self respect (pursuit of own interests) would have kept us out of the American web of deceit. In any case true representatives, as opposed to usurpers and stooges, would have demanded advance payment for coalition support. Even now we should stop support unless advance payment is paid. Failure to pay in advance must result in stoppage of support because we simply can’t afford it, specially when reimbursement is not prompt. Similarly we can’t afford to provide such heavy security to so many foreign nationals. They should brave the environment as our people are forced to, or leave the country. The number of “diplomats” should be on a reciprocal basis only. This does not mean that we hate the Coalition countries. It means that we must protect the interests of Pakistan and Pakistanis. The same way that they protect the interests of their countries and citizens.
Hello Yasmeen
I read your views and commenst on the subject. I respect others views. Its a period that so much has been said but, unfortunatly no words will ever effect this regime. However ,continue for some day, a change will come about in one form or the other.I wish you the best and regards.
Shaz
Isn’t high time we said “No More”. As a matter of fact we should have said in the first place. Nothing doing. Go fend for yourself. But did we and could we? No. The malaise is much deeper than it looks. Inshallah rest later. For the time being ponder over this. But congrats to Ms Yasmeen on a good piece of writing. Thanks. Bye for now.
These exactly are the sentiments of the heavy majority of our people. Pl have this mail sent to the right quarters of the US embassy and the US min of State
am
Ms.Yasmeen
There is nothing wrong with Americans telling us to ‘Do More.’ The
problem arises when we do not understand the language of the command.
What do they mean by ” Do” and by “More’.
When they say this phrase to our leadership they mean that Pakistanis
should do more to promote the interests of US.
What our leaders understand by the phrase is ” Do more” to their own
countrymen so with renewed vigour they “do unto us what they should
be doing to their wives”.
It is all a matter of perceptions.
Yes Pakistan is doing more . It is becoming more insecure everyday. It
is economically going downhill with more speed . It is heading more
towards anarchy. It is becoming more poor. It is becoming more
corrupt , more inefficieint , more dysfunctional. How many more
‘Mores” do you need to get the picture.
As far as ‘doing’ is concerned let me repeat a wall chalking I read in
Karachi ” Aik Zardari , sab per bhari”. Again , a matter of looking at
it from different angles.
Varris
Good piece of work. I think the day we decide not to be a “tea boy” & start thinking of our INTERESTS as foremost, we would be in a much better position.
Best Regards,
Qaisar N Gandapur
Dear Ms YAA
You have answered the question……..”Stop expecting others……”
But we can do nothing until we have good governance…..for that we MUST change our form of govt
We both agree Presedential system is the answer; Political parties act must be drastically changed and any party not holding party elections must be barred from elections; poweful independent Election Commission with fixed tenure of members etc etc……..
Pakistan has to re think its India centric policies and country is not to be hostage to Kashmir issue; Kashmiries be told firmly ” we support you BUT you must prove your credentials and strength thro the ballot box….”
With nuclear capability country’s defence is assured and the armed forces be reduced; A high powered committee of senior serving and retired officers with 2/3 civil society members be established to frame a policy for the welfare and rehabilitation of retired armed forces personnel. Armed forces be forbidden for any commercial activities. A medium sized highly trained & motivated
force supported by volunteer forces can be most effective and economical…………..( we can discuss this ? )
For our arms procurement we should depend and cooperate with China/Turkey as they are reliable and dependable friends, however there is no harm in procuring arms from other sources but the West cannot be relied upon as they have a latent enmity with Islam and likely to let down at crucial times !!
Pakistan is blessd with natural resources & abundant agriculture, hard working and talented population and with sincere and honest governance we can well manage our economy
Population is a problem but present policy of Population control is counter productive; Humans are not hardware machines without feelings and affectionate relations; One or two child family has grave social remifications and leads to souless humans; better way to reduce the population is to highly mecahnise our agriculture….large families provide free labour in our village economy……….
These are brief ideas and would very mch want a serious and thoughtful responce from readers…..I have not delibrately mentioned Education This the pivot of any national effort and needs a seperate discussion….a serious one !!
Some SITES where this article has already been carried:
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=207105
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/06/15/pakistan-do-more-or-else/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pakistan-do-more-or-else
http://fightincockflyer.blogspot.com/2011/06/yasmeen-ali-do-more-do-more-or-else.html
http://philosophers-stone.co.uk/wordpress/author/admin/
You’re proposing that Pakistan stops working as a tea-boy and starts to look at its own interests, what are Pakistans own interests? And from which source do you define them? Which ideology? etc…
Yasmeen, this is something I am stressing for years. After rigorous studies along-with some of my friends from different fields of expertise we concluded that these objectives shall only become “achievable” if a collective wave to raise self-respect and self-reliance is generated. First and foremost step would be a decision to leave the lap of US. In order to do that AND more importantly in order to avoid “shifting of laps” instead of standing on our own feet, it is fundamental to change the mindset of our decision makers (which I normally term as political and military elite). It is of course a near to impossible task due to very strong self-interest groups sitting at the top and sort of a “controlled revolution” is required to bring such a change.
Now the next question arises here viz; who will channelize this revolution and what would be the ideal combination of various segments of the society we have here in Pakistan? I compare a revolution with a vehicle which needs engine, gear box, frame, control panel, wheels, steering case and of course a good driver on the seat. You need all of these for the vehicle to move and reach its destination as per desired standards. Now try to place different factions of society in the vehicle of aforesaid controlled revolution and you will find why I keep on saying rather stressing a few things on forums. For sure we have all the parts required to assemble the vehicle but unfortunately we have been pushed into a process of self-destruction through so called war on terror. We are ourselves destroying those factions who had to play the role of “wheels” and “frame”. One of the missing element is “the good driver” but we can wait until the vehicle is ready. No one else has to get together the parts but WE.
Another important point here is “emotions”. No impossible can be converted into possible without sheer willpower which originates from emotions. So, at one end we need to work with a very cool “HEAD” to collect, gather and assemble the requisite parts and on the other hand we have to keep our “HEART” warm through desire to compete and of course WIN.
Unless we keep both macro and micro aspects in front of us and embed them into a workable plan, haphazard stand-alone analysis won’t help much. It would be like playing with independent pieces of a jicksaw puzzle without any attempt to collect and get them in order to form a meaningful picture.
Regards,
Amir
Dear Yasmeen
The tea-boy analogy notwithstanding, whether it is out of compulsion or by choice, as long as PK continues to cheerfully receive the dosh, no Pakistani should really grumble if the US asks for more of the same thing. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Unfortunately, arms procurement from Germany cannot work. Your statistics are spot-on but you should also know Germany’s terms of trade. US gives you the cash and makes you buy US products from it. Just like Saudi first finances it and then makes PK buys Wahhabism, the brand of violent Islam complete with user-manual and after-sales-service. Germany does not operate on that basis. PK finances will not allow dealing on COD terms.
The sign on the road to national interest and self-reliance (and I am not even mentioning prosperity and growth for now) should read in bold letters “IF NOT US, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?”
Dear Khan sb
I suggest you study the life and work of Wahab…………he simply preached for reform and to shun un Islamic practices which had crept in ( and still are practiced ) in the muslim societes !!
To best of my little knowldge the only “violent” action he took was to cut the tree under which often our Holy Prophet used to rest and in Wahab’s time people were “worshipping” it as we do today at various shrines ………incidentally Shah Wali Ullah of Dehli was a contemporary of Wahab ( may be they were class fellows ! )…he too(Wali Ullah ) did a violent act by inviting Ahmad Sha Abdali……………………?? If marhattas back was not broken by Abdali, most of us perhaps would be marhata today !!!!!!!!!!!
Shah Wali Ullah also translated the Holy Quran( his thumbs were cut as punishment ) If he had not done this “violent” act, we could not understand the Quran today
So pl be kind hearted !!!!!!!
If a student becomes violent in life, his teacher is not to blame !
you r excellent writer
MashaAllah,
The writer has a thinking level head on her shoulder. She write always balanced articles, and not only address the
core issue, also offer solution to the problem. I am a great fan of her, as her thinking are nearly my thoughts.
I might like to point out that Pakistan’s defence need can not be met by west, untill we are economically viable and have our own financial resources, to fund our purchases. Until
that time we tried to cement our relations with our trusted
friend PRC, which have been a constant source of security, and source of supply. We have been let down many times by USA, France,Germany andUK, in our hour of need.
We are in much better shape in self suffeciency of defence hardware.The credit goes to China.
good article. Who do you think is the ‘enemy within’?
……..I agree with the words “developing some dignity”, we ALL need to do that!
You have to start with Structural Reforms. Think why and how in the first place we got Pakistan? It was a struggle of 90 years that materialised in the shape of Pakistan. And we are squandering the golden opportunity. You will get all the solutions. I have written in detail on the subject earlier. Now lets all suggest what can be those structural reforms. Let this be a healthy brainstorming for us all. Believe me excellent solutions will come forth. More minds are better than one.
The “desire to compete” is what USA and all weapon manufacturing countries use in order to have so many countries fighting each other. They also organise factions within the country, so as to create “competition” between different religious or political groups.
What you call “revolution” I call “education”. An education that will produce an “inner” revolution within each individual. An education that will open people’s minds, to understand “why” there is so much misery, poverty, hunger, suffering in the world, when this is NOT what the vast majority of human beings want.
We have to educate people, so as to make them understand what business and religious corporations or powers do to us. How they control us, for their own financial and domination benefits.
We have to educate people to realise ALL human beings of the world are EQUAL, all born with the same rights and same hopes.
We have to educate people to respect human life. Every human being should know that killing – or just harming – another human being, is wrong.
Unless people realise the futility of religious bigotry, of nationalistic or patriotic feelings and of wars, nothing will change.
Well written article Yas. and congrats on being in veteranstoday. 🙂
The article is witty, pointed, and constructive at the same time.
and spot on with the statement “What must Pakistan do?
For starters, try developing some dignity and stop being so damn apologetic.”
I think the “teaboy” or girl, 🙂 is trying its bit to upgrade to a better position. Hence the visit of panetta to Pakistan and asking for release of their spies (real allies within our borders). And the straightforward answer to his request of NOT doing any MORE.
Also, not to forget the roundup of American “civilians” and either presented in court, or kicked to where they came from.
Today’s billion dollars are equal to 500 million of year 2001 and are peanuts for the services Pakistan is rendering. America should give Pakistan 10 billion a month and rest assured that all parties having interest here shall do not just more but most to bring about peace and development in the area termed AfPak. Americans can then feel the mission has been truly accomplished because the funds will advance the cause of peace more than the troops on ground.
id
I repeat what I have said earlier, we are in the gun sights. U.S. is now gunning for Iran and Pakistan, after poor Libya, to completely dismantle any nation in the world which might oppose or be perceived as an obstacle to its policies of world domination. It does not need any blessings. It has given itself the power of invading/ killing at will.
So! Pakistan! Please stand up and face this or face a catastrophe like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and soon to be Syria.
So eventually the agenda of neocons wins. The world will be far less safer because people may lose a war but they never lose their memory when it comes to injustice. And it is human madness to be the enemy of one’s own existence.
idrees
Someday, some country will stand up to this and that will be the beginning of the fall of the American empire. This mad expansionism and its wars have already brought this society to its economic knees. The military might will follow. That is the lesson of history. Those who do not learn from it are destined to repeat it.
True, but why not work on real prosperity, which is the shared prosperity of all people, and work for the bettering this existence than unwarranted destruction. Where has wisdom fled? Wisdom and good character is needed to manage the affairs of life.
id
In my reckoning US and NATO operation against Muslims aims at
1. Destruction of military and economic tgts
2. Driving a wedge in Muslim world by accentuating Shia -Sunni divide, to achieve this US will use iran and the wedge goes right through Iraq, Syria and Lebnon. That probably is the reason US has not moved against Iran! !
Any comments
YAA
Good article
Unfortunately whatever we do it will not satisfy the appetite of the other party
MQ
YAA
Good article
Unfortunately whatever we do it will not satisfy the appetite of the other party
MQ
YAA: There is an interesting and worthwhile shopping list in your write up. It does offer decent ways out and fruitful alternatives. The list can be subtracted from and added to and made quite prudent. It can be made tremendously useful, comprehensive and worth our cause.
But we are forgetting one basic premise – who are we writing this shopping list unto – to be implemented. The kids and family would generally write up a shopping list and when dad comes home in the evening – they will all go shopping together and see it realized.
Do we see the equivalent of dad coming home around here?
Do we realize how pathetic we are and getting worse day by day. We just had a failed dharna to acquire acquisition of a commission to probe in favor of justice for Salim Shehzad – a measly feat isn’t it?
Let us stop writing navigational charters for our boat that we do not have. Let us concentrate on setting out a boat – equip it with firm keel, body, rudder and sails – first
.
The “do more” is coming from a quarter – where Kharot Abad et al will not happen, let alone remain unnoticed.
So, help us God !!!!!
Dear Rafiq
Thank you for your insightful comment. The shopping list must be made.Some day,some one may glance at it,and make the right purchases for a change. One cannot give up because at this point in time, no one is listening. Becoming a tea boy may not be a choice decision in present owing to actions of the recent past.
Best
Yasmeen
Ms YAA’s article is certainly incisive and worth thinking by all of us; but praise and rhetoric is not the answer & it is getting us ( and will not )no where. Most of us are bowled over by the subject. But we are living in cukko land ! Someone has given example of a car….fair and well articulated but a car is only useful if it is to go somewhere ….and has a DRIVER
YY has forgotten beggars are not choosers; what makes her sure Germany or France or even China will give ALL that which we may need and want; anyway such things are secondary to a nation’s state of health and dignity.
None of us seem to mention the extremy fragile state of the nation; primarily our MAJOR problem is quality of Leadership. In my humble opinion our generation ie 50plus is a lost cause; one cannot point a single person to lead this nation and bring back its dignity; we have ourselves led our teenagers and and the genration of 25 plus or so into a blind alley….they are neither Pakistanis nor amercans/westerners…….in fact they themselves do not know what they are except to hope to reach the Shangrila !!! Most will end up in Old Peoples home by the time we are dead. I am not bing prophet of doom; just bluntly pragmatic
In one of my blog I had said our possible hope is the child who is yet to be born…as usual we are big on talk but no substance. Nobody has a solution
Only thing those who are sincere and committed is to ensure the car is kept clean. even polished would be asking too much……I am not pessemistic but I am being a realist; I always challange show me ONE honest man !!!!!!! Let us all judge truthfully our POTENTIAL and act strictly accordingly and not to worry about the bigger picture; presently we hve no ability and quality to paint a Big Picture; simply say to yourself i will bring up my child as an honest and sincere Pakistani and a good muslim…….i put “good muslim” as last because that is the toughest…there is a saying “Qatra Qatra Darya me shawad”……..
So let us first reform ourselves and forget about the others; presenylty we are being buffeted by huge waves; just standing up is enough; just resolving I shall not fall is more than good enough.
Fact is we all are hypocrates ( sorry for harsh words ) I am always PAAK the rest are Sinners
look into ourselves and ask yourselves what I have really done for my country ? Dont WE make the country ? Dont we elect the LEADERS? dont we go thro the red lights? Dont we cheat and abuse ? OR is it the aliens from a foreign land who come and pollute our society ??
There is a saying “Physian heal thyself.”..we make the rules and we break them; Even on this page there are names who have made the rules and then themselves broken the very rules??
We are worst than YAA’s Tea Boy…we are scum of the earth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But there are many who are still standing tall; they are poor of the earth. toilers of the fields; they are neither seen nor heared; they are pushing the HULK of a car which has neither engine nor gear……..while we only dream from where to import a BMW or Mercedez……………
My advice is we all come down to earth and realise our worth and pick ourselves from the dust and start slowly to look upto the starry heavens!!!!!!!! And we shall surely reach the skies but not yet; do not for God’s sake sleep walk. I assure from my personal experience we have great resilience and talent and spirit talent to stand up right
God be with us
siddiqui my
Huzzah to the author, what a great article.
For us Pakistanis it is unfortunate to witness this wave of destruction that has engulfed entire nation.
In order for Pakistan to be able to endure through this wave of deliberate destruction of the whole nation by these unwanted foreign elements and to be able to successfully eradicate these covert operations against Pakistan and her good folks, there is a dire need for a stringent system of measures maintained by governmental authority at our ports, at our frontiers and even at our neighborhoods with everything that is pertinent, appropriate and available.
The nation must enforce buffer zones around its borders especially to the east to quarantine our own neck of the woods from this cancer, unfortunately it has to be done against all odds and it has to be done NOW.
Dear Ms YAA
Before you close this blog, I thought I will post the following since few know about it :
Lord Macaulay’s Address to the British Parliament, 2 Feb, 1835 :
“I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such caliber, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for it the indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will LOSE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, THEIR NATIVE CULTURE AND THEY WILL BECOME WHAT WE WANT THEM, A TRULY DOMINATED NATION”
so we are to day simply lap dogs…………we have even forgotten to bark !!
Awesome blog! Loving it! 🙂
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