http://jamaat.org/news/2009/March/28/1004.html
Senator Prof. Khurshid criticizes Obama's PAK-AFG Policy
ISLAMABAD, Mar 28: Naib Ameer Jamaate-e-Islami Pakistan and member
Senate of Pakistan Prof. Khurshid Ahmad has expressed his serious
concern over the new AF-PAK Policy announced by President Obama. He has
criticized the Government functionaries for welcoming it as "positive"
without fully examining all aspects of this policy.
In fact, he pointed out, there is no substantive changes from the Bush
Policy and what is more worrying is that focus is shifting from
Afghanistan to Pakistan which has been targeted as "safe heaven of
Al-Qaeeda" and in the words of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike
Mullen that "there are certain indications that elements of Pakistan
Intelligence Services are supporting al-Qaeeda and Taliban." This is a
vicious allegation, said Prof. Khurshid.
Prof. Khurshid Ahmad strongly criticized the Government for welcoming
the Obama Policy with indecent haste. Prof. Khurshid has expressed his
apprehension on the language used by Obama Administration, which smacks
of the rhetoric resorted to by Bush Administration before invading Iraq,
particularly the bogy of alleged Weapons of Mass Destruction. According
to Prof. Khurshid in this new policy instead of WMD, imaginary "safe
heavens" to go make up the excuse. This shift in policy is very alarming
for Pakistan. This time to frankly tell the US that the US Policy has
failed and Pakistan has no option but to renegotiate the extent,
modalities and the terms and conditions of Pakistan part in this War on
Terror. Direct involvement of India is also a disturbing aspect of this
policy, he stressed.
Economic support, according to Prof. Khurshid Ahmad, has been reduced to
5 years from ten years and made conditional which robs Pakistan of its
freedom and choice of priorities.
Pakistan is paying a heavy price for participation in this failed
strategy. Our sovereignty has been compromised, our territories are
being arrogantly and persistently violated causing heavy loss of life
and property and the economic costs to Pakistan during last 8 years
according to Ministry of Finance estimates, which is an under
estimation, have exceeded 3 trillion rupees i.e. over 35 billion
dollars.
Pakistani Nation must not pay this price simply to play second fiddle to
USA. US policy has produced more terrorists in the region and greater
instability and bloodshed in Pakistan. Clinging to American pressure has
been disastrous and Pakistan must now totally review its alliance with
American in this so called war.
