CNN has reported that “The Biden administration has told lawmakers that the US is nearing a formalized agreement with Pakistan for use of its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan, according to three sources familiar with the details of a classified briefing with members of Congress that took place on Friday morning”.
Western media has been reporting so much fake news, misinformation, and fabricated narratives in the past that it is rather difficult to believe all of their reports. In fact, they are using media to create misunderstandings, and divert world attention. Sometimes, they mean to misguide the public and achieve their objectives. However, sometimes, their reports are true too.
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How media creates a diversion?
The official press release from the Ministry of Foreign Office of Pakistan says that “In response to media queries regarding latest news report alluding to the formalization of an agreement for the use of Pakistan’s airspace by the United States to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan, the Spokesperson stated that no such understanding was in place. Pakistan and the U.S. have longstanding cooperation on regional security and counter-terrorism and the two sides remain engaged in regular consultations”.
We believe that the official response of the Government of Pakistan is more reliable and furthermore, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has expressed his views on several occasions, that Pakistan is a partner in peace, and not in war. This is the conclusion of the whole nation that the wars are not in the interest of Pakistan. Pakistan was the victim of the Afghan war and paid a high price. It is a complete consensus in the whole nation that, Pakistan will be not dragged into a war with any country, and will not support are side any nation in wars. But the role of peacemaking, peace promoter, Pakistan welcomes all nations and is willing to support and join them.
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Pakistan was a close ally with the US during the cold war era, War in Afghanistan during the 1980s, and the war on terror, but, paid a high price and in return got sanctions and coercion from the US. The nation is not willing to repeat the same mistakes again and again. There exist strong anti-war sentiments in the nation. The nations wanted to focus on peace and economic developments. The example of China, which set aside all disputes and differences, and abandoned wars, and focused only on economic developments, as a result, China has emerged as a geopolitical power.
China’s example is guidelines for us and many other developing nations
Moreover, Pakistan understands the importance of peace in Afghanistan, which is a prerequisite for peace, stability, and development not only in Pakistan but in the whole region. Pakistan cannot be part of any military actions against Afghans.
In our past experience, during the Taliban rule 1996-2001, Pakistan was enjoying cordial relations with them and our 2600 KM long border with Afghanistan was very safe. But, Pakistan supported American aggression of Afghanistan after the 9/11 incident in 2001. Taliban were pushed out and they turned against Pakistan, just for the reason that Pakistan sided with the aggressor US. Since then, our border with Afghanistan was never safe and Pakistan has to deploy its huge forces to protect the border areas and infiltration of terrorists. It was a very heavy cost for us.
The US was never sincere with Pakistan and our relations were only transactional, that they paid for a certain job, after the completion of the task, they left us alone and sometimes have not paid the remaining balance and defaulted. Based on past experience, it will be hard to trust American’s promises or agreements.
Considering the emerging geopolitics, Pakistan should not offend China and Russia by repeating past mistakes. Obviously, Russia has not allowed any central Asian state to allow American s to use the land or airspace, and would not be happy if Pakistan do so. Our relations with Russia might suffer if Pakistan enters into any such agreement. China our trust worth, time tested, an all-weather friend will be not happy if Pakistan facilitates American to attack Afghanistan in any form. China has deep interests in Afghanistan and will not appreciate any efforts to destabilize Afghanistan. China is investing in Afghanistan in its rebuilding drive under BRI, if the situation in Afghanistan is destabilized, Chinese interest will be hurt.
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The US played similar tactics in Pakistan, during its war against communism
American anti-China drive is at peak and is trying to break Chinese allies, either it is Russia, or Pakistan, or any country, the US wanted to create misunderstanding and separate them from China. They separated China from Russia and then fought against Russia, leading to the disintegration of the former USSR in 1991. This time they tried to separate China and Russia but failed, So they are trying to separate Pakistan from China and Russia, and will fail too.
Pakistan should welcome the US to extend humanitarian assistance, rebuilding, war compensation, for Afghanistan, but should not facilitate in any manner to attack or aggression in Afghanistan. The US has never played a positive role in normalizing Indo-Pak relations, and will never be sincere in this regard. The US silence on Indian brutalities and atrocities in Kashmir is a criminal act, and may never be changed. Instead, Pakistan keeps pressure on the UN for the implementation of resolutions on Kashmir.
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Scholars, intellectuals, think tanks, and individuals, may raise their voices to advise the Government to keep Pakistan’s national interests at prime and should not repeat any mistake of the past.
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.