New Pakistani Leadership And US On War Path

Pakistani press and politicians started venting their spleens against the United States giving indication that the coming few months will be very hard for people of Pakistan. A newspaper in its comment said that given President Pervez Musharraf´s role in shaping Pakistan´s policy in the US-led war on terror one can understand if Washington feels a little concerned over the shape of things to come. For a world battling with terrorism, the results of last month´s general election are positive. The people of Pakistan have once again rejected elements and personalities espousing religious extremism and have voted for parties opposed to obscurantist philosophies. It is, therefore, not surprising that the leaders of the two mainstream parties in the National Assembly have said nothing that could indicate the possibility of a sudden reversal of Islamabad´s role in the fight against terrorism. Against this background, the arrival in indecent haste of two US State Department officials in Islamabad when Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had not even formed his cabinet was not in keeping with diplomatic propriety. Even more undesirable was the reported objective of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher´s mission. They are said to have sought ´assurances´ from the PPP and PML-N leaders on issues that are of a domestic nature. The prime minister´s speech after he took the oath of office on Tuesday was in that context significant. He affirmed that the coalition would strengthen parliament and added that "parliament comprises the president, the National Assembly and the Senate" and its role in policymaking would take precedence over all others. When Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif met the two diplomats they emphasised the pre-eminence of parliament in all policy matters, including the war on terror.

It is time Washington gave time to the new government to settle down. Considering Pakistan´s political history — marked as it has been by conflicts between the heads of state and prime ministers — the newly elected leadership and the president will take time to evolve a tension-free, working relationship. They will also need time to formulate a well-thought-out strategy in the war on terror. They have let it be known that the war which Musharraf has been fighting on behalf of the Americans is also the war of all Pakistanis. Their war aims are the same, namely to eliminate terrorism and extremism. But the Gilani government might want to modify the strategy somewhat. The Americans would do well to give space to the new government to draw up its policy. So far Washington´s close and overt involvement in the war on Pakistan´s soil has only fuelled anti-American sentiments and this has proved to be a setback for the Pakistan Army. The people have also had to suffer the wrath of the militants who identify the state with the Americans. A discreet stance on the part of the US might prove to be slightly more helpful.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Karachi, Deputy Secretary of States John D Negroponte said that the purpose of his visit was to express support for the democratic transition underway in Pakistan and reaffirm the United States' commitment to the Pakistani people.

Reading out his statement at the end of a three-day hectic visit to Pakistan at a local hotel on Thursday, he said that the United States was committed to work with all of Pakistan's leaders on the full spectrum of bilateral issues, from fighting violent extremism to improving educational and economic opportunities.

US Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher and senior officials of US Embassy in Islamabad and US Consulate in Karachi were also present on the occasion.

"This trip is another of my periodic visits, which afford me the opportunity to meet with Pakistan's government officials, political and military leaders, and representatives of civil society. These types of exchanges help to sustain and deepen the United States-Pakistan relationship.

"We all recognize that this is an important time in Pakistan's history, as the new Parliament's leadership takes office and begins to set the legislative agenda, and as the new government starts to take shape", he noted.

"Leaders from across the Pakistani Political spectrum are working together in this process. In Islamabad I met with the President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gillani, National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza, Pakistan People's Party leader Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Main Nawaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani".

"Many have asked us this week about the prospects for U.S-Pakistan relations. Our response is that the US-Pakistan Partnership remains strong, and that we envision a continued close, productive alliance that benefits both countries", he noted.

Giving the details of his meetings with the top leaders, Negroponte said that in the months ahead, the United States was looking forward to engaging Pakistan's new government on how best to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.

"The United States will continue to help the Pakistani people build a secure, prosperous, and free society," he added.

US Deputy Secretary said that he had held discussion on security and development aspects of bilateral relationship in Peshawar and Landi Kotal.

"We met with Khyber Political Agent Syed Amir Uddin Shah, tribal elders from Khyber Agency, 11th Corps Commander General Masood Aslam, and NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani. Our delegation also received briefings on U.S. assistance efforts in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) totaling about $ 150 million per year and how our two governments are using these funds to build much-needed roads and schools," he opined.

Negroponte said that he also held meeting with Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan and members of the American Business Council in the vibrant port city of Karachi, a key trading hub in the global economy.