| Will the parliament’s outbursts of national pride lead to outright rejection of KL-Bill? |
The National Assembly is set to hold debate on Kerry-Lugar bill, the US aid tripling annual civilian aid for Pakistan, during its proceedings beginning this evening today.
At the same time, the Kerry-Lugar bill is expected to consume a fair share of the corps commanders’ time, when they meet in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. There are indications that the US aid legislation is likely to find little support at the General Headquarters and may ultimately sour relations between the armed forces and the government, which favours the bill and claims it as a major foreign policy success.
The certifications include confirmation that the government continues to cooperate in investigating nuclear proliferators; is making sustained efforts against terrorists, including blocking support by elements within the military and intelligence network for terrorists, taking action against terrorist bases and acting on intelligence about high-value targets provided to it; and that the security forces are not subverting the political and judicial processes.
President Asif Ali Zardari rejected criticism that the conditions in the Kerry-Lugar Bill undermined the country’s sovereignty. The president said the bill was the first Pakistan aid legislation that did not require U.S. presidential certifications every year. ‘It only required certification by the Secretary of State that Pakistan was moving along the path of democracy, nuclear non- proliferation and drugs control. ‘Who in Pakistan under the present democratic dispensation would disagree with these goals?’ he asked.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani hailing the Bill said, “The passage of the Kerry-Lugar Bill is a big success of the government as it is for the first time that the United States has supported a democratic government in Pakistan instead of dictatorship,” he said while addressing a meeting of the parliamentary party of the coalition partners of the government.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, while endorsing the GHQ views, dubbed the Kerry-Lugar Bill as a complete failure of the incumbent government and its lobbyists sitting in the US. “Besides other questions relating to terms and conditions, the language used in the bill about Pakistan and its institutions is highly objectionable that we, the members of parliament, must reject while adopting a collective approach,” Chaudhry Nisar told. Responding to a counter question related to the Pakistan armed forces that are already paying sacrifices in the war on terror, the opposition leader said the bill was actually targeting our institutions, including the Army.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has advised the critics of the bill to read it carefully. She said the bill would help Pakistan improve education and other social areas. The US was in a serious engagement with Pakistan, she added. US Senator John Kerry said the manuscript of Kerry Lugar Bill has been sent to President Barack Obama for signature. US Senator said this Bill is a clear sign of direct relations with the people of Pakistan. “Pakistan will be given $7.5 billions aid under KL-Bill. We want good relationship with the government of Pakistan.” He said this Bill would not harm the sovereignty of Pakistan.
While the Pakistani media and opposition leaders are going ballistic about how the Kerry-Lugar bill impairs Pakistan’s sovereignty, Indian government and the media riling Obama Administration for having given Pakistan unqualified support and assistance. A former Indian intelligence chief observed, both the Indian lobby in US and the Indian government fought to reduce, if not prevent any aid been given to Pakistan. In articles and on television, Indians have admitted that the main reason they failed was due to the tremendous lobbying and diplomatic efforts of the Pakistani government.
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| Mere emotional outbursts and hollow slogan mongering will take us nowhere. Speaking about pride! That is bruised and mutilated, to so many in the length and breadth of the land, conscious pricks every moment, must act or else it will soon become beyond redemption or recovery. It is high time for a real soul search and taking conscious decision with utmost sincerity and totally in the supreme national interests. Let Pakistan say, thank you! But no, thank you, to US. The days will be tough thereafter, during these few years the life for more than 6 out 10 Pakistanis may still not mean too much, the remainders should in all earnest brace themselves, rap in real modesty and humility. At the end of the day emerge endowed with courage and self-assured, Insha-Allah. Nations endure any or all adversities for their glory. Pakistan should do all in its power to stand on its own feet. It will be the ultimate freedom for Pakistan. This decision has to be taken one day unless Allah forbids that the nation becomes too heedless or oblivious to its very survival. KL Bill is primarily a US interest what it offers with respect to Pakistani financial and security compulsions. The war against insurgents, being armed and supported by known enemies of Pakistan need to be assessed with prudence and to be addressed head on, without sinking in the quagmire of on an array of views and perceptions on national priorities about sovereignty, national pride viz. a viz. ailing economy, ideology of independence of Pakistan, trust deficit leadership, uneasy civil-military relations etc. When the truth is mutilated and rendered unrecoverable by twists and turns, and media hype. Whereas the gravity of situation merits wisdom and caution to define strategy to handle security and economic concerns of the country, there are real apprehensions about ability of the parliament and wherewithal to evolve and implement a sustainable plan, is the question. This leads to the realization of grave dangers emanating form lack of real capacity of incumbent parliament to comprehend the dynamics of geopolitical situation and dimensions of the power play of the major stakeholders in the region. Their aversion to reach truth, unscrupulous and overridden with their greed for power and money the political leadership has left the public bewildered and without hope. The KL-Bill has thus become a matter of debate within, notwithstanding, the American lack of understanding of rationale Pakistan’s opposition to its contents. The threat perceptions and consequently army’s reservations on KB Bill may be viewed in ambient dangers by the presence and involvement of RAW, Mossad, CIA, and British intelligence in Afghanistan launching clandestine operations against Pakistan, which define contours of Pakistan’s security concerns. The Russia also has long-term scores to settle with Pakistan. There should be no doubts in mind about the intents of major players and abettors of crime against Pakistan. Is the time not ripe for some real soul searching? Bowing to Allah Almighty for His forgiveness, humbly? He is the Most Merciful and Forgiving. Let the nation particularly the leadership, collectively take this step. Our honor and dignity our rizq, our sovereignty, all are in His hands may be restored at His will, sooner, Insha-Allah. If we do not take step in the right direction, then the divine injunctions are very clear. He is also As-Samad remember? Make no mistake O people of the land of pure time is too short. |
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| I have an interesting story for those disagree with Kerry Lugar Berman(KLB) bill. Once upon a time a Raja Sahib happened to be seriously cash strapped to an extent that he started begging to meet his stringent needs. One day on his usual course of begging, he knocked a door early in morning and after so many knocks an annoyed person came out and as he noted its only a beggar he harshly shouted, MAAF KARO BABAAAY!!. The harsh words sparked the writ of Raja Sahib who shouted even more louder and in harsher tone and said "O KISSAY KUTAY DYA PUTRA, PAISAY NAHEE HAIN TAY GAL TAY TAMEEZ NAL KAR, SIDAA BOOL, RAJA SHABI AAJ KOOJ VEE NAHI, TUSEEY FIIR KADI TUSHREEF LAY ANA" The story came fit to the present scene where Pakistan is facing multifaceted challenges our economic downfall is the cost with which we have been fighting War of Others (War on Terror). Many of our textile companies been closed and so many shifted their operations to Bangladesh with chief reason of energy crises and law & order situation. Over fifty year of our history shows that except for few years we persistently had Fiscal Deficits and Trade Deficits. Almost every person of present political horizon enjoyed ruling Islamabad, be it PML(N), PML(Q), PPP, The Army & Others little parties also and they too, took Loans and Aids. So what’s fussy now? And why they contributed positive in their tenures of ruling. The total controversy over KLB bill is that why its PPP Government enjoying that huge funds and not they themselves. That’s the politicians stand, which many of our innocent Pakistanis are also drumming out. Those are of opinion that KLB is a direct stake to National Sovereignty most surprisingly they are speechless till now about the sad story of Sale of Aafia Siddiqui, husband of Ms. Amina Masood Janjua and lot of other Pakistanis. Where was the National Sovereignty?? We being nation should rather have to use our energies and have to raise our voice over how productively this funding is being spent for improving a common man’s issues, ensuring every aspect that this funding may not be wasted as that of previous Aids & Loans. I must say, that’s more relevant Question rather than opposing the KLB itself. Apologies, if my opinions may hurt some one. |
| Think Judiciously [Texas, USA] |
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| Is the goverment blind or what? You sell your country for sake of money! Already our government is playing dirty tricks wid nation. Sab kha rahey hein! How u ppl dare to accept it. where is media now. |
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| Shah Mahmood quereshi (Foreign Minister) should not support KL Bill, he sould do his participation in the intrest of Pakistan and just inform the Pakistan Government about the developments. It is matter of thinking of 170 millions people and one can't assess it either it will be ok for Pakistan or not. We as a nation, have to know either anything hidden in this bill, which might any problem in the future. We should take time to finalize it and should not do any hurry. The most of our Foreign minister's statements showing like he is supporting the bill, which is no way at this highest level. |
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| There is a big success claim by F. Minister and the Government and some of the other media and Politicians that the NOTE attached with the KLB is a big success, it is still a question Mark on Pakistan Sovereignty, as the issue of the VALUE of this NOTE has never been analyzed as how important is this Note with the Bill. I think the said Bill has no Importance under USA Laws because this bill has not been endorsed by the Senate and or the Congress. Media must discuss and evaluate the said Note in light of its value/importance. (Now) as part of the bill or Not and if Not then NA should unanimously reject this bill forthwith. The Looters of the PPP Government are after this begged help only to enrich themselves and to cover-up the looted money sofar, since two years, out of 16 Billion Reserves left by previous Govt. This is in National Interest to discuss with experts and analyze the value of this NOTE before any Joy is to be announced. May ALLAH BLESS OUR COUNTRY. |
| Mohammed Riaz EFFENDI [Riyadh] |
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| After a brief lull in suicide attacks across the country, recently we saw a chain of events in Peshawar, Islamabad & recently GHQ. It again exposes the vulnerability of our intelligence agencies & security set-up across the country. While the elites are protected by high walls, travelling in bullet proof cars, armed guards, but what about us the ordinary citizens! Who is there to protect my children against such evils? I suggest the following1. Immediately start land mining the border between Pakistan & Afghanistan. It is a reality that from now onwards Pakistan Army would have to man this border as well. I presume more rigrously than Kashmir. 2. All Afghan refugees should be sent back (legal or illegal). 3. Strictly monitor Foreign Diplomat movements & contacts with our so-called patriotic leaders & civil servants especially, the leaders who have residences abroad. 4. Pakistan should not take US foreign Aid, but instead request for similar amount of loan write-off. 5. Actively promote national unity by engaging the media & holding social events. 6. The judiciary should stop dealing with the past & show its strength by punishing individuals even for a minor crime. It is high time that all crime be dealt with strictly. A small thief would always sympathize with a bigger one (militants etc). |
| Concerned Pakistani [Lahore] |
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| The substance of the Kerry-Lugar Bill is beneficial for the country, now and in the near future. We should criticize the language, but not the matter itself. The conditions are not binding on anyone. We do not owe any country anything. It is not a bilateral treaty. Today’s terrorist attacks on the country’s army headquarters just prove that we need assistance in rooting out this menace of terrorism. |
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| I wonder since when U.S.A. has been so concerned with the well being of Pakistan or Pakistani people. Why are they so insistent on giving this aid to Pakistan? I believe if they are really sincere in their support of Pakistan’s fragile democracy, then the help should have been unconditionally delivered by now. No, it is not going to happen. Americans are well aware that they have probably the weakest person in President House in Pakistan and they can twist his arm anyway they want. They are trying to achieve their objectives through this peanuts aid, which they had been unable to achieve through military or other means. Their objectives include removal of Pakistan’s nuclear assets and control or at least to weaken Pakistani intelligence agencies to a point where they will be almost non-existence. I think a lot can be said about this KL bill. I think any Pakistani with some pride and dignity will reject this bill OUTRIGHT. This little amount for a big country Like Pakistan, is insignificant. I am confident that oversees Pakistanis who already send about eight billion dollars annually, can easily send extra 1.5 Billions. Right now Americans need Pakistan more than Pakistan needs Americans. So, I think this aid should be rejected and no condition under any circumstances should be accepted, which directly or indirectly affects Pakistan armed forces intelligence agencies or nuclear. They are up to their neck in Afghanistan and they need Pakistani help or they are doomed. |
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| May be as a nation we are used to obtaining loans from banks or cash incentives for personal favors without any strings attached to it. May be all these years depending on foreign loans or incentives we as a nation have begun to believe that there is such a thing as "free lunch". We as a nation have collectively brought pakistan into this mess where the only way out is accepting this bill with some conditions attached to it. Those who feel very un- dignified by accepting this bill, should either swap their rich houses with those of shanty dwellings or have the courage to accept the fact that dignity is not the only factor that bring prosperity. |
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| The Government of Pakistan has repeatedly asserted that this bill is not binding on Pakistan because its not a contract and thus Pakistan is at liberty to accept and deny any of conditions. May I ask a simple question from the Government that if Pakistani Military make certain moves, which are not in conformity with the Kerry lugar bill, will the US then provide the aid? Moreover, why the US is treating its allies with such hostility. If they want to get the real benefits, then they must avoid conditions laid down in kerry lugar bill. US has till now not realized the importance of the popular support of US. They know that popular support is very important for them to win this war, but even then they have not done a single thing, which could win the heart of people in Pakistan. |
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