U.S. Out of Pakistan !
In a recent meeting with corporate leaders in Karachi, the U.S Ambassador Anne W. Patterson expressed her surprise at the ‘depth of Anti-Americanism’ in Pakistan. She said, “I suspect that those who oppose American engagement in Pakistan have a limited understanding of how our partnerships—economic assistance and financial interactions—changed the lives of everyday Pakistanis in real and positive ways.”
I assure Her Excellency that such is not the case and that we are not an abysmally ungrateful bunch. We know very well that our country’s economy cannot sustain itself and that financial help from other countries like America is helping us barely stay afloat.
The source of anti-American sentiment, thus, is not Pakistanis’ lack of acknowledgement and appreciation for America’s economic assistance. Rather, our sense of resentment and deprivation is the result of the pound of flesh which America demands in return—that is, the sovereignty of our people.
America’s manna comes from a poisoned chalice. Years of American aid and financial assistance have had a corrosive effect on Pakistan’s institutions and its society. It has made America perhaps the most powerful force in Pakistan and has severed the natural links of accountability between governments and people. While American money may have fed thousands of hungry in Pakistan, it has also fed violence, alienation and distrust in our society.
America’s unaccountable and unquestioning generosity towards our military has made it resistant to democratic checks and has severely distorted the balance of powers between important state institutions, creating an air of conflict and mistrust between them. America pays military governments several million dollars a year and many more directly to our military, and in return it uses our military and our land to further its own political agenda in the region. On the one hand America professes the importance of democracy in Pakistan in which the ultimate sounding board is the will of the people, and on the other hand America has deprived the people of their power.
What better example of this than the current political crisis in Pakistan? Deny all it will, America has and continues to micro-manage our affairs. Despite all its hollow claims of supporting democracy and fighting terrorism, America continues to back autocratic, dictatorial, military rulers, thereby increasing public alienation, social turmoil and political instability.
In the elections of 2008, the people of Pakistan gave General Musharraf and his cronies the order of the boot. In no uncertain terms, the message given by the people of Pakistan was that they no longer want a military rule which does not empower the people, which does not put national interest first, and which is exceedingly obedient to foreign orders. Being seen as a close American ally cost Musharraf and his cronies heavily. However, once again, the will of the people was vetoed by America, and regardless of the fact that the majority of the people would like to see the back of Pervez Musharaf, he remains seated in the Presidency, probably sending thank you emails to President Bush every morning.
Another example of how American involvement in Pakistan has created strife and instability in the country is the never-ending judges’ saga. The people of Pakistan have very courageously taken a stand for the reinstatement of the judges illegally and unconstitutionally deposed by General Musharraf on Nov 3. But the U.S. continues to arm-twist Pakistani leaders into acquiescence and is pressuring the coalition government into making an unpopular decision. Such underhand maneuverings by America will only go towards weakening democracy in Pakistan by creating mistrust between the people and their leaders. Resultantly, yet another military dictator who has for years been feeding on America’s dole would find this a perfect opportunity to step up and anoint himself the savior of the nation.
It would not be incorrect to say that the people of Pakistan, irrespective of gender, age or class, resent America’s intrusiveness in our domestic and foreign affairs, and feel that Pakistan has been a victim (sometimes a willing victim) of America’s ruthless foreign policy. Apart from those who are direct beneficiaries of American involvement in Pakistan, most Pakistanis would like to see America stop its meddling and allow indigenous political forces to create and partake in a transparent and legitimate political process.
If America genuinely wants to help Pakistan, then it must show respect for the will of the people of this country. If the “war on terror” is really a war on terror and if America is committed to winning it, then the best thing it can do is help create a stable and moderate Pakistan. This can only be done if America distances itself from the governance of the country and alleviates the feeling of alienation and helplessness amongst the people by allowing them to play their rightful role in the political process.