By Alizeh Haider
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.
Please e-mail PostGlobal if you'd like to receive an email notification when PostGlobal sends out a new question.
Comments (8)
As an average American citizen, from my perspective, it seems like the very people we are arming in Pakistan are the most likely to be continuing to hide Bin Laden and his supporters. I'm also a little confused as to how a war to seize and capture Al Qaeda got morphed into a war against the Taliban. The Taliban and Pashtuns did not attack us on 9/11; Arabs living and training in Afghanistan did. The Taliban leadership were just hiding them. Then the Bush administration botched the capture of Bin Laden and his key supporters, during a time when we had the sympathy of the entire world on our side. We now need to finish the job in Afghanistan, but hopefully it will be done with a little more sense by another administration.
May 30, 2008 12:55 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 30, 2008 00:55
In one breath Pakistanis denounce American interference in the country and in the same breath they ask US to "help create a stable and moderate Pakistan".
I feel sorry for Musharraf, a great leader in charge of a confused and ungrateful public.
May 29, 2008 4:14 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 29, 2008 16:14
There's just one thing that comes to mind if a simple analysis of the Pakistani Army is carried out - It's a bunch of brainwashed soldiers considering themselves above the law, and are ruled by a group of sellout, arrogant and ruthless breed of generals, merrily wagging their tails like dogs infront of their 'masters'.
May 29, 2008 9:00 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 29, 2008 09:00
America doesn't genuinely want to help anyone on this earth. It only looks for its own interest. This is how it was 200 years ago and how it is now and how it will become for many years to come. The blame rests on the stupid people who believed in it before. The stupid people who gave a blind eye to what lies between the lines. The stupid people who don't want to fix their lives and their society
May 29, 2008 5:29 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 29, 2008 05:29
The Americans are the only party in this world to respect Pakistanis, and WASHINGTON is not responsible to set the Pakistani House in order.The government of Islamabad has to pay back the debt of 36 billion dollars of the international money lenders,and it is even unable to pay the annual installment of this debt to the Paris club and other finance institutions.How such a large sum has been taken and it is the other question of how and where the money had been spent,but the real fact is that the American money have elevated the life standard of the Pakistani Army Generals to play in millions of dollars, while they were getting 5000rs (75$) salary of per month before Afghan crisis.It is the demand of the nature payment for the deed,but unfortunately, the Pakistanis have been following a very shameful blackmailing stance as it is training the Taliban factions in Pakistani military camps and assisting the militants to infiltration into Afghanistan.The American Think tanks are fully aware that Islamabad wants to prolong the American war of terrorism in Afghanistan as this American and Nato engagement provide the Pakistanis with American military and economic aid and continue the instability of Afghanistan as of the fact,the Rulers of Islamabad are in vision that a stable Afghanistan is a source to the liberation of BALOCHISTAN and PUSHTOONISTAN.
May 29, 2008 12:10 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 29, 2008 00:10
Pakistan is the most abused ally of the US. No country in the world has paid as much in blood as Pakistan. Pakistani deaths out number US, NATO and Afghan sacrifices. If the US continues to abuse the Pakistanis, the Anti-Americanism that the Ambassador discusses will grow. The level of anti-Americanism in Pakistan has to be clarified. Most Pakistanis do not hate Americans. They dislike, detest and decry American foreign policy in the region. This abhorrence of American foreign policy is akin to the dislike of American citizens for the wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan.
The American war on terror has become a war for the defense of Pakistan. Each time a drone attacks a target in Pakistan, a suicide bomber wreaks havoc on hundreds of civilians in Pakistanis cities. This is unacceptable to Pakistan and Pakistanis.
More Pakistanis have died in the war on terror than any other nation. For this, Pakistan gets pennies. Out of the $750 million sent to Pakistan, half stays in the US. The other 25% is spent on logistics. Pakistan thus receives less than 25% of the amount.
Compare to Afghanistan. She was promised $25 billion in the past six years and actually received $15 Billion. Now an additional $40 Billion has been promised to Kabul.
Pakistan has been a US ally since the 50s, a founding member of SEATO, CENTO, and now a Major Non-Nato Ally (MNNA). However a nuclear deal was signed with India and an anti-Pakistan non-Pashtun regime installed in Kabul. Mr. Karzai the Mayor of Kabul barks at the Pakistanis out of his "forbidden city" on a daily basis. The Karzai writ does not extend beyond North West Kabul, yet he roams world capitals as if he owns his narco-warlord excuse of a country.
The US instigated complete forgiveness for Egyptian debt. This did not happen for Pakistan. The US has not armed the Frontier Constabulary or provided the Pakistanis with helicopters, predator drones, IED detection devices, mine sweepers, armored vehicles or dedicated satellites. It however expects the FC to work more efficiently than the armed to the teeth ISAF-NATO forces in Afghanistan. ISAF has been losing territory to the Pashtun nationalists (aka Taliban).
Pakistan is unable to fight America’s war—it is too costly for Pakistanis. The bottom line is that Pakistanis want an amicable divorce from the US. The popular feeling is “we don’t want your favors, nor your hate.”
Editor Rupee News
http://www.rupeenews.com
May 28, 2008 9:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 28, 2008 21:12
I agree with comments above and just for record please also read following article with respect to $$$ being given to Pakistan:
http://www.dawn.com/2008/text/top4.htm
Thanks,
Aamer
May 28, 2008 4:15 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 28, 2008 16:15
I am a Pakistani citizen residing in the U.S. and I agree with this article, for the most part.
I find it highly arrogant of the American senators/leadership to come in Pakistan and tell their dogs (Pakistani leadership, if you can call them that), how to run the country. Even after all that Musharraf has put us through (suicide bombings, rampant inflation and crime, decadence of society as a whole), for some reason, he is still being supported. Actually, the reason is simple - Americans seem to have a very 'clear' view of how to deal with Pakistanis and that view is through the iron (and unaccountable) fist of Musharraf.
You know, I could care less if Musharraf was less corrupt than his predecessors (and for all you know, he might be) but the way he came to power was illegal and there are no two ways about it. And in the end, he ended up doing what every insecure, little and selfish dictator does - repress the peoople and freedom of speech.
The American governmnet needs to realize that Pakistanis are not cannon fodder who can be 'blown up' to keep 'terrorists' from 'harming Americans'. It is the blantant selfishness that as long as these terrorists keep bombing Pakistanis, they will not come to America.
Finally, I do believe with all my heart that these terrorists should be brought to justice. Taliban/Al-Qaida have no place in this world and no one should have to live by them (unless they are willing to do so I guess). But just going and bombing everyone will not solve the problem. If this current government is actually sincere (although considering its the same thieves back again, it might be doubtful), than this government must be allowed to pursue this agenda.
Good luck Pakistan.
May 28, 2008 2:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 28, 2008 14:19