High profile of US activities in Pakistan by Ghulam Sarwar

Latest news is that these “guests” are planning to establish a diplomatic enclave in Pakistan which is probably going to be the biggest in the world. For initiating this project, they have acquired from the Government of Pakistan, eighteen (18) acres of land in Islamabad . The chancery, once raised, would be able to accommodate the Embassy staff. Also, it will provide accommodation for the garrison of hundreds of marines. Incidentally, the US plans to station in Islamabad hundreds of marines. Seen from any angle, this news is extremely disturbing as stationing of a foreign garrison in the capital would virtually mean creating a state within a state and as a result, the country’s sovereignty will be put at stake. Incidentally, American Consulates in Karachi and Lahore have already been upgraded. In Peshawar , a five-star hotel is being purchased for expanding the Consulate. All these developments indicate that Americans are going to stay here for indefinite period as our overlords. As already hinted above, it has been observed that American officialdom is “gracing” Pakistan in quick succession. Prominent Congressmen, Senators, CIA – FBI and National Security officials, besides US military brass are seen visiting Pakistan in quick succession. Frequency of these visits indicates that these officials have started considering Pakistan as their second home. Mr. Holbrook’s frequent visits to Pakistan is case in point. It is generally observed that he spends more time in Pakistan than in his own homeland. And interesting part of the story is that he behaves like a non-conformists and without observing diplomatic norms, he meets political leaders and visits various NGOs without even formally informing the concerned quarters. It goes without saying that today USA is undoubtedly the sole super power, but severe reversals that it has recently received both in Iraq and Afghanistan , have considerably shaken its faith. Conscious of its vulnerability, it is trying desperately hard to establish its supremacy in the world. Towards this end, America is on the look out of a more stable and firmer base to oversee and operate against China , Russia and Iran . With this end in view, it has focused its attention on Pakistan . Keeping in view, Pakistan ’s geo-strategic location, Americans feel that Pakistan is the ideal place to fulfill their purposes. In addition, US administration has opted for a micro-management policy in Pakistan and its official are interacting with the heads in every ministry which is of their interest. Mr. Ata Rabbani, a noted scholar and political analyst, reveals that during the Musharraf days, there had been a covert understanding between ex-President Musharraf and the US . According to this understanding, the Americans were exempted from visa formalities and as such, they could come to and leave Pakistan at will. This being the case, Pakistan could not know how many Americans in uniform were lodged at any one time in the county. The dubious activities of private military contractor, Blackwater (renamed as Xe Services LLC/Dyn Corp) are creating great confusion in the Pakistani circles. Presently, they have undertaken training of recruits for anti-terrorism private security purposes. Idea behind this exercise is to guard American diplomats. According to Mark Mazzetts, Mr. Musharraf had permitted Blackwater to carry out operations in the cities of Islamabad , Rawalpindi , Peshawar and Quetta . In the light of this report, the arrival in Pakistan on November 04, 2009, of 202 Blackwater personnel from Heathrow Airport by PIA flight PK-786 is significant. These Blackwater personnel who speak Urdu fluently are ostensibly hired to guard American diplomats. Further, it is learnt that the US contractors are training young men along with retired SSG commandos at Sihala Police Training College . These former guerilla commandos, now undergoing very tough physical training, do not know the reason for which they are being trained. However, they are told that they are being trained to safeguard American interests. In addition, Blackwater has also established a number of check posts in the villages around Kahuta. There is an other issue which is intensely agitating the Pakistanis. Plainly speaking, US has always been against Pakistan going nuclear. Having failed in their efforts to stop Pakistan from acquiring this nuclear capability, the Americans are now creating conditions and are also exaggerating imaginary fears of Pakistan ’s nuclear assets falling in the hands of Taliban. On this pretext, the CIA/Pentagon is covertly using Blackwater contactors to encircle Pakistan ’s nuclear arsenal for any abrupt action. These high profile US activities in Pakistan have generated a lot of public resentment and US Ambassador’s rebuttal has not been accepted here in Pakistan . They feel that the American are not telling the whole truth. American’s all secret antics indicate that Pakistan is going to be treated as a mercenary. And things as these stand, America is in a better position to dictate terms and use Pakistan as a ghost state, all in American interests. In view of these grim portents, it is high time Pakistan refuses to be used as a ghost state. Only by taking bold stand, we can preserve our independence!

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