America has threatened that the suspension of drone attacks in Pakistan is not due to weakness and that the deadly attacks can be restarted. The New York Times published a special report yesterday, based on CIA and other U.S. official sources, which stated that the suspension in U.S. drone attacks and Pakistan’s inadequate efforts against extremists has given them time to regroup and rejuvenate. The suspension of drone attacks in the last two months has emboldened al-Qaida and other extremist groups in Pakistan, resulting in increased attacks on Pakistani security forces stationed in Pakistan and coalition forces in Afghanistan. According to the report, extremists are taking advantage of the tension between Pakistan and United States. However, the CIA expects that the situation can be salvaged: The report states that there were 64 attacks last year, while there were 117 in 2010.
The United States has taken up the role of policing the world, seeing crimes only in Muslim countries. Their militaristic and expansionist designs can be seen in the way they pick a fight with some Muslim country almost every day, challenging the security of those countries. At this time, the United States is not only threatening Pakistan in South Asia but also Iran; the U.S. will not tolerate its efforts to obtain nuclear technology. Yesterday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Iran that if it tries to close the Strait of Hormuz, it would face dire consequences and Hormuz would be reopened by force. According to Panetta, Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz would be tantamount to crossing the “red line.” It is not only Panetta; U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey also deemed it necessary to remind Iran that if it uses its nuclear capability to develop nuclear weapons, the U.S. will use force to stop it.
At this point, there is not a single Muslim country in South or Central Asia, the Middle East or any other part of the world that is safe from the United States, the “champion of human rights” and of “safety and security.” It has gone mad with its expansionist crimes, and no country has gone unharmed by America. Sometimes, it directly challenges the security of a Muslim country; at other times, it uses its proxies to carry out its furious criminality. America, through its proxy Israel, has been causing havoc in Palestine and Lebanon for a long time; and it has been a barrier to Palestinian independence. Anti-government movements in Arab countries like Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Libya grew under the protection of the United States government. After getting rid of the dictatorships, America has been trying to impose governments malleable to its objectives.
The U.S. has decimated Iraq and Afghanistan, using 9/11 as a pretext. It finally left after inflicting violence on Iraq for 10 years, but continues to interfere there. It is also conspiring to maintain U.S. forces in Afghanistan to establish a permanent presence there, even though NATO forces plan to withdraw in 2014. Pakistan has been engulfed in the war in this context. The United States has involved former Pakistani generals and current civilian government officials as frontline partners on the ground. A lot of damage has been inflicted due to drone and other military operations, as well as its response to suicide and other terrorist attacks: About 6,000 members of the Pakistani security forces and 40,000 civilians have died. Pakistan’s economy has reached a loss of about $70 billion due to U.S.’ embezzlement.
After getting dejected by the naked terrorism perpetrated by United States, Pakistan has decided to change its policy of cooperating with America, especially after the NATO attack of a [Pakistani military] check post. We closed the NATO supply lines and had them vacate Shamsi air base. We also refused to attend the Bonn Conference. These actions send a strong message to America. This was also a gesture to make them comprehend that drone attacks on Pakistani soil will no longer be tolerated. As a result, America stopped the drone attacks, which in turn halted suicide attacks in Pakistan. However, just as a scorpion stings, compelled to kill as a habit, America is now agitated again, its restless soul unappeasable — not only to attack Pakistan but Iran as well. First, it threatened to make the European Union impose economic sanctions on Iran, in response to Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, which can result in 20 percent of the world’s oil trade being disrupted. Now, the United States is also expressing its maniacal desire to disrupt Iran’s acquisition of nuclear capability. Meanwhile, Iran is ignoring all American threats due to nationalistic zeal and is, in fact, threatening America using even stronger terms. As a result, America has not been able to perpetrate strong actions against Iran as it has against Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan; America’s militaristic arrogance has been deflated by the downing of an American drone in Iran. America has not been able to retrieve its downed drone from Iran, even after crossing all the “red lines.” And it will not be able to do any damage to Iran because the Iranian people completely stand behind their president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
If our civil and military leaders start to disregard America’s threats and, like Iran, stand up against America when it comes to national security and shoot down any drones and armed helicopters that enter our airspace, then America will be put in its place. America’s recent threats have made it necessary for the Committees of Defense and National Security to reexamine Pakistan’s relationship with the United States and announce its decision, whatever it may be. Along with NATO’s overland supply route, it should also close the air route. The spy network established by CIA and Blackwater should be wound up and handed over to America. And a clear message should be sent to the American administration that it should mind its own business and refrain from interfering in Pakistan’s national security. Otherwise, we will use our nuclear capabilities to provide a sobering response to the United States. If all Muslim countries in the region unite under a joint strategy and react to American expansionist crimes, then this drunken elephant would not have the courage to interfere in any Muslim country’s affairs. By this token, is it not time for the awakening of the Muslim community?
The atomic scientist and head of the Thar Coal Project, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand, stated in an interview on Nawaiwaqt that to control the escalating electricity crisis, coal in the Thar region should be fully utilized. The advancement of national economic well-being requires an adequate amount of energy. The current situation is such that we don’t have adequate electricity or gas due to the sinking economy and society being engulfed in unemployment. There is also no indication of help from the government, even though there isn’t any shortage of resources or talented citizens in Pakistan. The only good deed the government has performed has been appointing Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand as the head of the Thar project. He has dedicated all his efforts to the success of this project. Today, the Thar mill is being used to produce electricity at only Rs. 20 per unit. The Thar Coal Project will not only provide power at Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 per unit, but it will also adequately take care of gas and diesel shortages. We have had to bear great losses by handing over our resources to others; these companies will never want Pakistan to be self-sufficient. Some self-serving politicians may allow foreign companies to come to Pakistan. Under the leadership of Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand, successful experimentation has been conducted in the Thar Desert in order to alleviate gas and electricity shortages. Pretty soon, with the help of the Thar project, around 1,000 megawatts will come online. The government needs to provide Dr. Samar enough resources to finish the projects.
Prime Minister Gilani recently said that he will remain in his position for the next four years even with conspiracies ongoing because when someone comes to power and remains in power for such a long time, no one can harm that person and he will remain unharmed. After all, who has the courage to take the seat from under the prime minister’s nose? But this is a position that is more important than any other. Actually, fulfilling the duties of the position is really the main qualification. During the past four years, we have been unsure about the conspiracies, but we are intimately familiar with incompetence, irresponsibility and destitution. When there isn’t any electricity for 20 hours a day, even if the government solves some problems in the end, how are people supposed to forget the problems of the past four years? Just having democracy is not enough; it should be effective and meet the needs of citizens who have voted for the government.
The Turkish government recently arrested its former chairman of the army joint chiefs of staff, along with 139 generals for conspiracy to overthrow the government. The United States has advised it to treat them leniently. America, the so-called champion of democracy, has a problem with the generals, who are enemies of democracy, being punished. In Turkey, the military used to have the upper hand. Now finally, democracy-loving, civilian politicians have, after a long struggle, taken control of the country. The government in Turkey is one of the best in the world and is serving its people well, but America has a problem with it because it does not compromise its constitution or principles. Therefore, United States is siding with the former general.
The United States has also attacked democracy in Pakistan in four instances. The former military dictator Gen. Musharraf went against the constitution twice, and the list of his black deeds is long. He is again trying to come back to Pakistan so that he can try to fool the people with the help of Israel and India. It is therefore the duty of the government to charge him with sedition under Article 6 and arrest him. It will surely set an example in the future for would-be dictators, making them think twice before committing treachery. It was military dictatorship that divided the country into two. Currently, the entire crisis facing the country is the result of Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s policies. Recently, Musharraf announced that he will return between Jan. 27 and Jan. 30. The government should arrest him as soon as he arrives in the country. If a former dictator is hung, then it would make democracy more secure.
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