Will somebody please listen?
Pakistan is entitled to US$60 billion
Zahid Malik
'We're entitled to it.'
This is by all means a queer logic by the Texas oil magnate as his argument implies that the United States is a victim of circumstances in Iraq whereas it is there as an aggressor and not as a protector of Iraqi people or their interests. But his thinking indicates how the responsible societies, business communities and States build and present their case and advance their strategic national interests. Americans have played havoc with the poor countries of Iraq and Afghanistan but they are portraying their adventures as legitimate acts and want to grab the booties. Contrary to this Pakistan has been pushed into an unending and treacherous war on terror at the instance of the US and it has been undergoing huge human, economic, social as well as psychological sufferings but has miserably failed to present its case in its right perspective or in a comprehensive manner. This is because of utterly non-serious attitude on the part of our weak and care-free leadership which is more eager to enjoy undue perks and privileges and complete its five-year tenure which now looks to be a day-dream. Let me warn that if the political leadership did not wake up to protect the vital and strategic interests of the country and its people, doomsday scenario is not far off.
It is a mind-boggling question as to why our former and incumbent leaders surrendered to American demands. Ironically, on a phone call from Washington asking whether you are with us or with our enemy - former President Pervez Musharraf totally surrendered before the United States, resisting not a bit which amused even the Americans, Pakistan gave air bases and land route for invasion of Afghanistan under justification that Pakistan was not in a position to fight a war with the superpower. Right, but what Pakistan got in return - only spread of terrorism.
According to credible sources, Washington provided a 'worry and wish list' to Pakistan and it was hoping of Islamabad to accept only a few one and that too after a lot of bargaining but Pervez Musharraf acted in haste on a false message that 'Pakistan would be bombed to stone age'. Apparently, to prolong his rule, the then ruler miserably failed to get anything from the United States whereas, later reports suggested, Washington was willing to provide at least $ 10 billion in return for the much-needed strategic cooperation from Pakistan. This compares sharply and ignominiously with countries which demonstrated the necessary maturity at decisive moments of history and proved to be tough and wise bargainers. That was what the late Egyptian leader Anwar Sadaat did when he visited Tel Aviv in 1977 and later signed much-maligned Camp David Accord with the Jewish State at the US prodding. His visit shocked the proud Egyptians and he was assassinated later but for a price and since then Egypt is the second largest recipient of US aid after Israel. Turkey too was offered US aid package that included about $6 billion in grants and $20 billion in loan guarantees in return for permission for American forces to use Turkish bases as a springboard for invasion of Iraq from the north.
Coming nearer home India through its mature and marvellous diplomacy gained enormous favours in return for serving US interests in this region. They tactfully advanced their national interests in the form of clenching unprecedented nuclear deal while remaining outside the ambit of the NPT. It will not only provide tremendous boost to Indian economy but also give a cutting edge to New Delhi in nuclear, space and missile fields.
It is also getting dual use technology and equipment and advanced military hardware just by portraying it as a counter-weight to the expanding Chinese global power and influence.
In this perspective, one wonders why Pakistan could not gain a single penny while its role was most important as the Americans like a wounded lion were hell-bent to give Al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership a lesson for their attack in the heart of the world's only superpower. It was not possible for US to attack Afghanistan except for firing missiles from the Arabian Sea. It was Pakistan which nabbed around 500 Al-Qaeda fighters and some of the top leaders from its tribal areas and cities and handed them over to the United States. It is not acceptable that it is totally our war and let us admit that it was due to the United States pressure and arms twisting that we became a party to it. In fact, Al-Qaeda or Taliban presented no security threat to Pakistan before our Army, as desired by the Government, pounced on them at the behest of the United States to secure lives of American marines and NATO troops in Afghanistan. As we became the strategic ally of the United States, Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements turned their guns towards us and disastrous string of suicide bombing started in almost every nook and corner of the country taking heavy toll in men and material.
It is true that Pakistan or for that matter no responsible Government would allow its soil to be used by militants, particularly foreign terrorists of all sorts against any other country. Anyhow, Pakistan has become a battle ground and poor innocent people are being killed, and their limbs are flying like soccer. But, please remember these “jihadis” are fighting against US occupation forces as they waged a fierce war against USSR.
Unfortunately, there is no tradition in our country to maintain systematic and authentic data or record of events and in the absence of such information one cannot comprehend or calculate the full magnitude of human casualties and monetary losses suffered by Pakistan since 2001. However, according to conservative estimates given by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi during a news conference in New York on February 12, 2008 Pakistan incurred losses worth US$ 34.5 billion for its central role in the war on terror. CENTCOM itself released data way back in May 2003 confirming that Pakistan suffered losses of over US$10 billion owing to US operations in Afghanistan. Americans made Libya to pay $ 10 million per family as compensation to the families of 270 passengers killed in Pan Am Flight that exploded over Lockerbie in Scotland on December 21, 1988. If this is made the yardstick then one can imagine the compensation that is due to the families of those killed as a consequence of war on terror. Add to this displacement of hundreds of thousands of families, destruction of their homes, properties and businesses, damage to the infrastructure i.e. roads, bridges, railway lines, electricity distribution system, telecom, schools, health centres, government buildings, police stations, closure of industries, flight of capital, loss of investment and job opportunities, the amount would go beyond imagination. But what Americans have provided us so far - reimbursement of a few million dollars a year from the Coalition Support Fund and yet to be delivered $ 1.5 billion in economic and military assistance annually under Kerry-Lugar Bill but on humiliating terms. Rest is huge loaning from the IMF, which the country increasingly finds it difficult to repay and people of Pakistan are made to digest bitter pills of repeated increases in tax rates and utility charges.
I strongly believe that as President Obama is in the midst of reviewing his Afghanistan-Pakistan policy and doubts are being expressed in Washington as to whether Pakistan would be ready to go along the United States, there is a dire need that Pakistan should urgently work out the losses it suffered in men and material since the launching of the US invasion of Afghanistan. What is more devastating is that the psyche and nerves of the nation are bruised and shattered. The PPP Government owes it to Pakistan not to make any more commitments unless the losses already suffered are compensated for.
Mr Zardari has every right to throw away his much maligned Surrey Palace but he has no right to barter away Pakistan's vital interests. We have lost precious lives and infrastructure built over the past 60 years destroyed and it is our right to demand compensation to be paid to the families of the deceased and to rebuild the infrastructure. I agree, all the poor children of Pakistan, who are being killed here and there are not much privileged Bilawals and Asifas but, Sir, they are citizens of this country of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Please don't sacrifice these innocent souls for your own agenda.
According to my rough estimates which I managed to work out in due course of time during interaction with government officials, economists, strategists and members of the civil society, the country has a right to claim at least $ 60 billion. I also discussed the losses of Pakistan with some of the ambassadors who agree that Pakistan must take a firm stand to demand reasonable compensation for the losses. Pakistan has to rebuild affected areas and create economic opportunities there if military gains are to be sustained and this obviously requires huge funding. At the end very briefly, about Friends of Democratic Pakistan. President Zardari before embarking on a visit to New York in September 2009 stated that Pakistan would be seeking $ 100 billion assistance from FoDP. But later the worthy President, surprisingly enough, said that FoDP was not meant for seeking financial assistance. May I ask then what is the utility of this forum.
I would urge the Government to please be serious and undertake an exhaustive exercise to work out close-to-reality estimates of the huge losses suffered by Pakistan due to its vital role as frontline State in the war against terror and present it to the world community in general and the United States in particular in a cogent, well-documented and forceful manner for reimbursement. If this genuine demand is not accepted, we must say if you don't compensate for our sufferings, don't expect any support any more in the war on terror. It is our right and the Government, for God's sake, should not bargain the fate of 170 million people of Pakistan like that.
Will somebody please listen? Pakistan is entitled to US$60 billion
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