Do more mantra

Pakistan’s forces conducted a successful operation in the Kurram Agency of the tribal belt and secured a safe release of five western hostages who were brought by the terrorists across the border from Afghanistan. They were captured from Afghanistan in 2012 and remained in the captivity for more than 5 years during which they were moved around inside Afghanistan. The US and NATO forces monitored there movements with a latest electronic gadgets and human intelligence but could not dare to launch a successful rescue operation. However, the US intelligence after tracking their crossing over to Kurram Agency, Pak army was informed. Pakistan forces based on actionable intelligence from the US authorities carried out a successful operation and managed the safe and sound release of the hostages. They are being repatriated to their mother country.

President Donald Trump appreciated the efforts made for the safe release of the hostages, he said Pakistan government cooperation is a sign that is honoring America’s wishes for do more to provide security to the region. The release of the hostages was coincided with the arrival of the US delegation led by Lisa Cutis, Deputy Assistant to the President who held talks with foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua. She said the US has a long track record of cooperation with Pakistan. Ms. Lisa Curtis emphasized the important of reinvigorating the bilateral relationship in order to achieve the common objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the whole region. The two sides agreed to continue mutual engagements at all levels and reviewed at length the various aspects of President Trump’s new policy on Afghanistan.

Pakistan has all along honored and valued its friendship with the US but it was the latter who frequently let the former down on the critical moments of the history and disappointed Pakistan. The embargo on the supply of arms and its spare parts before the Pak-India 1965 war confirm the fact the US is not a friend in need. Again the US maintained its double standard viz. a viz. Pakistan nuclear program. It kept silent when India made nuclear blasts in May, 1974 and a series of blasts in May, 1998. Economic sanctions were not imposed on India for going nuclear and not signing the NPT and CTBT. On the contrary, Pakistan was penalized for out of compulsion counter nuclear blasts on 28th May, 1998. Economic sanctions were imposed to strangulate our economy.

Pakistan and the US became allies in the war on terror in the wake of 911. But, our arms were always twisted on the pretext of do more. The end of do more, feat is still not in sight. Donald Trump while appreciating Pakistan endeavor for the rescue and release of hostages inserted a ‘rider’ of do more. Recently the US defense secretary James Mattis expressed the likelihood of downgrading Pakistan status to non NATO ally. Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to counterterrorism and restoring peace in Afghanistan is beyond any doubt and it is now for the US and its western allies to ‘do more’.