Strategic Relationship between
America and Pakistan after Osama Bin Laden
2nd May, 2011 was a historic day in all respect for peace loving people. The day
when American soldiers killed World No: 1 terrorist Osama Bin Laden. The
operation was taken place in a small town (Bilal) of Abbottabad in Pakistan. Why
‘Osama Bin Laden’ choose to stay in a very peaceful area of Pakistan? What are
its repercussions on the strategic relationship between Pakistan and
America------ which are mainly based on greater cooperation towards elimination
of terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan? Is American government thinking to
stop aid for Pakistan? Are it is in the position right now to enhance bilateral
relationship in ‘War on terror’? Are once again Americans wanted to leave
Pakistan in a midway of long journey-----Counter-terrorism strategy? These and
several more questions alike are now-a-days form the basis of discussion in
every sitting related to future of America and Pakistan relationship, and
especially in a debate of great world war against terrorism.
The first question was answered in many different ways in the media. But to my
knowledge and thinking ‘OBL’ ran much before from Afghanistan to Pakistan when
intense operation of tora-bora was taken place. He was a leader of World No: 1
terrorist organization-----Al-Qaeda. He must have observed the situation in
Afghanistan at that time. Therefore, he was in a search of a place where he can
survive and operate in a peaceful manner. That is why he chooses Abbottabad----the
most peaceful area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. He probably reached there
after crossing so many districts of Pakistan and Afghanistan while staying there
for a night or more. Two important questions can arise here: How he reached to
Abbotttabad and why he was staying near the prestigious academy—Pakistan
Military Academy. It is important to mention that this academy is a place where
young officers obtained their training to serve the country at any cost. He must
obtain some help from terrorist organization present in Pakistan which are
mostly banned. Also as a leader of largest organization he must be convinced at
that time on the point as if he succeeded to enter in that area then he must be
safe there for a long time. It is because entering in an area of Pakistan where
Pak-Army is present is very difficult if not possible. As so many Pakistani and
in fact I myself is an eyewitness of this kind of situation. And it is also a
fact that once a person entered in cantonment area then he is always safe and
secure there.
The strategic relationship between Pakistan and America are based mainly on
eliminating terrorism from Pakistan and Afghanistan and especially from its
borders. It is not limited only to Al-Qaeda and Taliban organization. Its main
focus is to kill the cruel thinking present behind the idea of terrorism. As we
all aware of the fact that terrorism is a result of a mindset. The killing of
those people who are active in propagating the idea of terrorism is absolutely
necessary. But those people who are just blind followers of this idea needed
help to recover their self-being-----their human nature. That is why it is in
the interest of both countries to cooperate with each other in the war on
terror. And I personally feel that both parties have realized the situation well
before the last episode of ‘OBL’. Therefore, this episode will give a new
dimension to Pak-America relationship. But this dimension must be based again on
elimination of all type of terrorism and on a greater cooperation towards
development projects in Pakistan and also in Afghanistan with a more focus
approach and in a more challenging manner. This is the best option for both
Pak-America and especially for Afghanistan as well.
The opposition party in congress wants a rethinking of the America policy for
Pakistan and Afghanistan. Aid for Pakistan is their main concern. They want an
immediate abandon of it. This is no way possible regarding the grim situation
present in Pakistan and along its borders. Terrorists are more active these days
in Pakistan than anywhere in the world. Also they want to know how ‘OBL’ was
hiding in Pakistan since 2005-6. In fact they are blaming Pakistan and its
intelligence agencies for it. But this is not only a failure of Pakistan. Such
kind of failures we are witnessing from the last 10 years or so in the ranks of
American intelligence agencies as well. That is why there is an urgent need of
stopping blame-game from both sides. Both sides need to realize their
potentials. Further, it is also a fact that eliminating terrorist mind-set needs
greater cooperation in every sphere of life------ education, trade, energy, etc.
The way strategic relationship is building from the last year between Pakistan
and America is a best way to combat terrorism. But this strategy needs
acceleration from both sides.
President Barack Obama has announced that withdrawal of America forces will
start at the end of July 2011. This raises several questions. But the most
important concern is that how Afghans will handle the situation after the
withdrawal of American forces. I think this is no time for America to leave
Afghanistan. It is because Afghanistan is not fully recovered politically,
economically and socially. Another very important thing which needs American
attention is not to interfere in Pakistani territory again and again. What is
needed is to inform first Pakistan and try to compel it to take action against
the enemy. And this sort of strategy will leave no option for Pakistan except to
target the terrorist at any cost which they are doing from the last several
years. Examples of Swat, Bajaur, and South Waziristan etc. are in front of
everyone. Pakistani forces did their best in these areas. And if we compare the
work of Pakistani forces regarding elimination of terrorists in these areas to
any other forces in the world, its efforts against terrorism will always be on
top. Therefore, it is important that America should also realize the situation
well, and to concentrate on contributing more towards rehabilitation process
both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. As it is their sole responsibility because
they have started ‘War on terror’ in this region. And I am fully confident that
this time America will make no blunder as they did in the past (1979-1989).