Adil Najam
Flicking through Pakistani TV channels I note that all of Pakistan’s mediadom seems to be waiting for imminent release of new documents on WikiLeaks, reportedly including communication from US officials on Pakistan, Pakistanis, Pakistani politicians, and Pakistani agencies and officials.
News junkie that I am, I must confess that I, too, am waiting for Wikileaks. But I am not really sure ‘what’ I am waiting for – or anticipating to hear – from Wikileaks. Nor, do I think, does anyone else. At least any Pakistani. Maybe that is what makes the entire episode so enticing. But it also shows just how messed up US-Pakistan relations really are today.
Amidst all the talk about how dangerous the leaks might be and how they might spoil relations between the US and its supposed ‘allies,’ I wonder exactly what we might find from the leaked documents that would really ‘surprise’ any Pakistani leader, or Pakistani journalist, or any Pakistani for that matter?
Would we, for example, learn that US officials have no trust in or respect for any Pakistani leader, or for Pakistanis, or for Pakistan? And if we did, would that really be a surprise or ‘news’ for anyone in Pakistan or in the US?
Or, maybe, the leaked documents will tell us that the US has continued and plans to continue an illegal, immoral and ineffective campaign of drone attacks into the territory of one of its closest ‘allies’? That despite their apparent protestations the Pakistan government has remained cognizant but acted ignorant of this campaign? That these attacks have consumed more civilian life than military targets, increased anti-Americanism in Pakistan? And if they did, would that be a surprise for anyone who has watched TV news or opened a Pakistani newspaper at anytime in the last year?
Maybe they will reveal that the amount of contempt that Pakistani institutions and officials have for the US is matched only by the contempt that US institutions and officials have for Pakistan? Or that the Pakistan’s favorite pundit sport of ‘blame it on America’ is no different from America’s favorite pundit sport of ‘blame it on Pakistan’? And if it does, who, pray tell me, is supposed to be surprised by that?
Of course, I do realize that the entire point of a ‘surprise’ is that it cannot be anticipated. That, after all, is the point of calling it a surprise. Indeed, there will be surprises. More than that there will be validation of that which we already believed. And most of all there will be details. All of these will keep the news wheels grinding – in their different styles and rhythms, but with equal but inconsequential fervor – in both Pakistan and USA.
But the real and most important revelation that these particular Wikileaks could make about US-Pakistan relations has already come out in the run-up frenzy to the leaks: The US-Pakistan relationship is at such a low point in both USA and in Pakistan that nothing – well, maybe ‘nearly’ nothing – can make the trust deficit too much worse than it already is.
The WikiLeaks disclosures were rubbish and fabricated, as sooner or later they would become a matter of the past and it is a sheer conspiracy to lambaste key personalities and institutions. There are so many important issues than this (WikiLeaks disclosure), media must not exaggerate in this matter. The verbal fight between USA and Wikileaks seems to be cosmetic and artistically deceiving the countries affected by these leaks. It is worth seeing that the prime beneficiary of these leaks is United States because one thing is clearly established in the minds of the people of the nations under discussion that how penetrating and how dangerous the US Intelligence system is and how naked the actions and conversation of the Governments ruling in those countries have become in the present situation.
This should be official song of Pakistani politicians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYuHknWjtMo
Two things have become real clear after these leaks. If American Embassy in Islamabad is the East India Company of Pakistan, then Zardari is its Mir Jafar, planted by the Americans to serve her interests.
Two episodes are of real interest. One the revelation that when Kiyani hinted at forcing Zardari to leave on the eve of the long march, and dropped the name of Asfandyar Wali as a replacement, the judges were reinstated within the next 24 hours. Yes, the American’s were more interested in keeping Zardari in place at all costs, and took no chances. Two, Zardari trying to turn Islamic Republic into the “Islamic Kingdom of Zardaris aka pseudo-Bhuttos”, by proposing that in case of his death Faryal Talpur be made the President. What is the charge for sharing all these “State secrets” with parties hostile to your interests?
It is also high time for Pakistan to realize that America’s policy towards Pakistan is dictated by the CIA, and America does not give a hoot about the life of an ordinary Pakistani. Hence at a time when ordinary folks are crushed under the weight of unbearable economic hardship, America is only interested in pursuing its policy of taking the perceived threat out in the backyard of Pakistan. I hope that a time will come in Pakistan when we will stop talking about “US Pakistan relations” and start pursuing our interests of working for the betterment of life of the ordinary citizens.
Great job on your writing! Love it much that I can’t really resist to read every word! Thanks!
Adil;
As usual ,you nailed the burning issue cogently Now as Pakistani Americans we have the choice of being caught between a rock and a hard place or be the rock and move the hard place. You being the shining light in the diaspora keep leading, one day the qafla will become a political force whose opinion is valued.