Need for Comprehensive Reconstruction, Rehabilitation Plan for Afghanistan

The way the global war on terror was launched after the 9/11 incident it caused the loss of a large number of human lives. Rather instances of the worst human rights violations and war crimes also emerged in the meanwhile and that too at the hand of the countries that consider themselves to be the champions of the human rights and human friendliness. The denial of the fact that the poverty increased there after the US invasion of Afghanistan is not possible. In addition, the hatred and provocation against the US and West has also increased, which is the basic cause of terrorism.
The major powers immensely used their power in the war on terror because of which it (terrorism) expanded instead of being contained. Numerous reports of the human rights organizations have appeared wherein this fact was revealed that majority of the people arrested in connection with terrorism proved to be innocent. Similarly, the innocent people have also been losing lives after being caught in the operations of the US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops and actions of terrorists and are still losing their lives and their number is increasing every year.
Civilian Deaths
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan released its biannual report in July 2011 in which the data of the civilian deaths in the first half of the current year during the global war against terrorism in Afghanistan have been published. According to the mentioned report, the number of deaths during this period witnessed 15 percent increase as compared to the same period of the previous year. In the first six months of 2011, 1,462 innocent Afghan civilians have lost their lives while death of 1,271 people during the same period was recorded last year and total 2,777 deaths were reported in the entire year.
It would be pertinent to mention here that the collection of data with regard to the deaths of allied and US troops is comparatively easy but there is no authentic and reliable procedure in place to collect the data of the deaths of common Afghan citizens, therefore, the real number of civilian deaths would certainly be much more than that mentioned in these compiled reports, which is a matter of concern.
Growing Destruction, Poverty and Ignorance
The present situation of the war in Afghanistan has created the worst situation of death and destruction in this impoverished and backward country where the number of the innocent citizens who die, sustain injuries and are maimed is constantly increasing every year. In this type of reports, the responsibility for killing of a large number of Afghan civilians is put on the antigovernment and insurgent groups and the Taliban.
This tradition has been repeated in the mentioned report as well. But it is a fact that whether the innocent Afghan civilians become fall prey to the actions of the US or NATO forces or lose their lives at the hand of pro-government Afghan forces or Taliban and anti-government terrorists, the common citizens are at the losing end, as they are being crushed from both sides and this war has made the growing destruction, poverty and ignorance their fate, which in itself is one of the major cause of the real causes of spreading terrorism.
Impact on Pakistan
Pakistan has also been affected by negative effects of the war and the entire Pakistan is in the grip of the coward acts of terrorism for the last 10 years to control which the Pakistan Army had to launch military action in its territories. Compelled by the connivance of the terrorists with the anti-Pakistan forces, the Pakistani armed forces had to resolve to crush these forces that had risen against Pakistan in these difficult circumstances and were becoming a threat to Pakistan's security and peace.
The successes of the Pakistan Army in Swat and Malakand Division are laudable where they (troops) played an important role in restoration of peace in these areas by laying down their precious lives.
Withdrawal of US Troops
The United States and allied troops made Afghanistan the stage of this global war, which was aimed at elimination of terrorism in the world, in 2001 where the invading forces used their immense military power and superiority of science and technology against the weakest nation of the world and thousands of innocent people were put on the altar of war during their military actions.
The US has recently announced withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan in the first phase of which the process of the departure of 10,000 troops has started. It is pleasant that the invading forces have given the schedule of their departure but they also need to pay attention to the matter that a comprehensive program is chalked out for rehabilitation of the destroyed lives of people there after their withdrawal so that the miseries of these war-stricken Afghans can be compensated to some extent.
Establishment of Peace
Anyhow, this war spanned over a decade has confirmed that the United States direly needs to change its strategy in the war against terrorism. The use of power also harms the lives of the innocent people, making the achievement of the real objectives impossible. Therefore, the process of dialogue with the warring groups has become the need of the hour and now the situation is heading toward the same direction because in this way we can contain the unjustified loss of lives and property of the innocent people and can achieve the objective of the establishment of peace that can eliminate the causes of terrorism.
In addition, the difficult phase of the rehabilitation of the Afghan people and reconstruction is also ahead without the completion of which, the dream of the establishment of a durable peace in Afghanistan cannot be realized.

High-Level Pak-US Strategic Dialogue

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated about high-level Pak-US strategic dialogue that the United States will provide $125 million assistance to Pakistan. Moreover, the United States has also assured Pakistan cooperation in thermal power projects and giving Pakistani goods access to US markets. She has stated many others areas of cooperation and assistance.

Dialogue's result depends on General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan Army chief's negotiations. He is at the back. Kayani is sincere to people and the country. Some segments feel only General Kayani and General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) chief, are being given importance in Washington. According to sources, General Kayani's wife, son, daughter and daughter-in-law are with him in Washington. General Kayani is busy in Washington dialogue while the family is residing in New York.

Satisfied and Confident
"Official wedding procession" has arrived in the United States with a long list of demands. The Wall Street Journal claims a list of 56 pages has been handed over to Obama administration. The bridegroom from Pakistan is Shah Mehmud Qureshi while the United States considers General Kayani as the bridegroom. Efforts are on to tie new knots to the old relations. Amendment to the democratic system is also being deliberated. Wedding customs have formally started. The most interesting character among the hosts and the guests is General Kayani.

Warm welcome accorded to General Kayani by the US officials and media gives an impression that the Pakistani Government does not feel threatened during General Kayani's tenure. The United States feels satisfied and confident in negotiating with Pakistan Army. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi is the bridegroom in Pakistani delegation. However, the United States has wedlock with Pakistan Army. Finance Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, a participant in the dialogue, has secondary importance. Some segments believe that traditional dialogue between Pakistan and the United States is being portrayed as strategic dialogue in order to befool people.

Importance of Talks
The process of dialogue between the government's wedding procession and the "US Empire" is mere eyewash. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari government's supporters and opponents are busy in comments and discussions while the Pakistani community in the United States does not attach any importance to this dialogue. They say Pakistan neither was nor will be free to make its own decisions. Pakistan ahs always been governed by the Army. Democratic governments are nothing more than puppets.

The Pakistani community feels that the Army is supporting the incumbent regime as well. Some segments feel that General Kayani enjoys the same status as generals of yore enjoyed in Pakistan. Only a dictatorship and dictatorial democracy in Pakistan suits the United Stats. The incumbent government has come to power, apparently, through peace's votes. However, it is looking for scaffoldings to complete its term. Pakistan has an elected president as well. However, the real force comes from the Army and Army is considered synonymous with the United States. The segment, weary of Army and the so-called democratic regimes feels that the Army has very cleverly taken advantage of civil government's weakness.

Interference in Pakistani Politics
The United States considers the civilian government corrupt and inefficient whereas the Army is carrying out successful military operations, is arresting wanted terrorists, cooperating fully with the United States in war on terror. That is why Army is the focus of this dialogue. Simply put, the bride is not being wed with the bridegroom. The Pakistani delegation's body language shows that Pakistan's democratic government is feeble while the general is strong. Corrupt and dishonest government can never look straight into the US and Indian eyes, while the military bigwigs can look clearly through the US glasses. The US interference in Pakistani politics is as customary as oil and Henna are in wedding ceremonies. The ruler, whoever he might be, has to follow the rules; otherwise he will be sent packing.

The "villain" is closely looking at the Pak-US relations, especially the meetings. India is not willing to retreat any front including the important issues like nuclear deal with the United States, the water, Kashmir and Afghanistan issues. India is a US friend as Pakistan is. There are limits to implementation on Pakistan's wish list.

However, the Indian friendship is preferred. India has reservations over General Kayani's protocol and his inclusion in the dialogue. Pakistan believes that India wants to weaken the Pakistan Army, diminish its power and pride. However, the United States has different designs. Hillary Clinton said we have talked about developing Pakistan Army on modern footings. The United States has friendly relations with both Pakistan and India. Clinton said we cannot pressurize India over water issue in Pakistan.

ICG Report on Pakistan

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has issued a news report, a piece of information or line that the Pakistan Army can again take over the government. The group has emphasized on bringing reforms in the corrupt bureaucracy and said that if the rumors and anger created by political elements and corrupt bureaucracy were not handled, the Army can find justification to occupy the government.

Corruption in Bureaucracy
The group has particularly targeted the Pakistani bureaucracy and suggested that the bureaucracy should be brought in the sphere of accountability. The dangers being faced by the government are due to inadequate salaries, political interference and corruption without any proper accountability in the civil bureaucracy. Samina Ahmed claims that such reasons provide the Army an opportunity to interfere in the democratic process.
The International Crisis Group has warned by releasing this information that the Army would get a justification for capture the power. Every year the group issues reports on various occasions, but this time it has targeted such an institution at an occasion that can provide a complete the so-called justification for the Army to take control of the government.
In the recent months, the government, opposition and judiciary have belittled themselves by engaging in one dispute or another. Only the Army and judiciary were left, but the International Crisis Group delivered this service as well. We will wait, and appreciate, if Samina Ahmed issues a report on the imbalances in the Army as well.
Now that the report has come out and bureaucracy is being targeted, let's discuss the issue openly. The International Crisis Group has rightly brought the corrupt bureaucracy into the attention by issuing its report, but the Army has never felt the need of taking power merely on the basis of the bureaucracy's corruption; in fact, the bureaucracy his made to do wrongs by the corrupt and incompetent politicians, and then a wave of anxiety hits society; but who is responsible for this? The corrupt and inept politicians? Or, the strong and powerful hands that use them [politicians]? And these hands don't need any justification, but they themselves create justifications.
Was there any justification for the Army to take over power on October 12, 1999; still the Army took control of the government, and it continued for nine years. But when the Army rule ended in the year 2008, it came to light that the government had created a nine-year-long history of malpractices, mismanagement and corruption.
Corrupt politicians are always [and frequently] blamed for plots and permits, while the dollars have increased after the departure of General (retired) Pervez Musharraf. In his rule, the plots, permits were distributed, and divided, but General (retired) Pervez Musharraf himself admitted to have sold humans, 15,000 per head.

Policy of Accountability
The ICG has informed that the bureaucracy is receiving inadequate salaries; this piece of news surprised me much. The salary is, by the way, a bit little but the ICG forgot to mention the facilities that the bureaucrats receive with their "little salaries": more than one vehicle, a driver, servants, house, electricity and telephone bills, many allowances, medical facilities in the country and abroad, and much more. It can safely be said that the salary is little, but the things that they receive in the name of allowances are not less than the earning or profit of a big businessman.
As a police officer out it, "I cannot have a chicken in my salary, but the constables and inspectors of our police station eat a chicken daily." Needless to say that little salary is the major reason for misappropriation. As regards accountability, the suggestion to bring bureaucracy in the ambit of accountability is right. But the ICG knows that whenever an attempt is made to bring the politicians, rulers or bureaucracy in the domain of accountability, what happens: the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) is a pain in the neck!
Whenever there is an allegation in any part of the world, the minister resigns. But here, the convicts and respondents (in court cases) are leading a honorable life under the umbrella of NRO.
The policy of accountability should be for everyone, whether the Army, police, parliamentarians, government, opposition, consulars, nazims, etc, otherwise there are a lot of excuses for interference. Someone has rightly said: muddying the waters is easy when needed.
The ICG report that has analyzed the Pakistani situation, has tried to make the very point that the Army interferes as a result of mismanagement and corruption. The question is that why is the corruption and misappropriation let prosper?

Lacking Sense of Belonging
If one sees the whole affair, it becomes clear that the Pakistani people have been deprived of the sense of belonging to Pakistan. When the hearts and minds of the nation lack this concept, then the same happens. One may light the fire, do corruption, enter the corridors of power or relinquish power, the nation would not care. Because the majority knows they have no concern with the country's exchequer. The amounts, allocated in the budget, would remain nobody's share if we don't receive that.
The ICG and other organizations may be right, but the purpose of their release, their timing and methodology are based on ill-intentions. Set aside the reports of this organization, the Pakistani nations will have to make joint efforts to solve the problems. This country should not only save itself from the faults of some people or institutions but also the nations should also keep itself aloof from the affairs.

Kerry-Lugar Bill and Pakistan

John Kerry belongs to the Democratic Party. He graduated in law from the Boston College and is married twice. He first married in 1970 and has two children. In 1988, he gave divorce to his first wife and married the wife of Senator John Haynes, who was killed in an aircraft accident, after mutual agreement. He is one of the leading members of the Democratic Party, and was first elected as a senator from Massachusetts in 1984. He is popular in the party for his beliefs and thinking about the world peace, particularly regarding the solution of South Asian and Middle Eastern conflicts. He was the Democratic Party candidate for 2004 presidential elections, but was defeated by Bush Jr. He played an instrumental role in getting Barack Obama to the presidency. The faith the US Administration, Senate, and Congress have in Kerry can be gauged by the way, in which the recent Kerry-Lugar Bill was unanimously passed in the legislative houses.

The other name with John Kerry is that of Richard Lugar who is also a senator. He graduated in economics and philosophy from the Oxford University in 1954. He served the US Army between 1957 and 1960. He was first elected as a senator in 1976 and he belongs to the Republican Party. He is still a senator and was elected in 2007 from Indiana. He is also going to contest the senate elections in 2012. If John Kerry is a central figure in the Democratic Party, Richard Lugar also enjoys the same status in his party. He is also member of numerous senate committees that include the foreign policy, African affairs, and subcommittees for West Asia, Pacific, Energy, Science and Technology, European Affairs, International Assistance, and Human Rights. He has worked in close association with Senator Kerry in drafting the bill.

Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act 2009
The real name of the Kerry-Lugar Bill is "Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act 2009". The founder of this bill is another senator Joe Biden, who is currently the US vice president. He was closely assisted by Hillary Clinton, who is now the secretary of state. Prior to becoming the president, Obama in the capacity of a senator also played a role in drafting the bill. Initially this was called the Kerry-Biden Bill as Joe Biden had presented this bill in the Senate on 15 July 2008. According to the US law, this initially came under discussion in the Foreign Policy committee. The committee was headed by Joe Biden. After discussion and deliberation, the bill was approved on 29 July 2008. After the approval, the new presidential elections campaign began in the United States. According to the US law, if a bill is not presented for discussion and voting in a congressional term, that bill is barred, the Kerry-Biden Bill also met with the same fate.

After the presidential elections, Obama became President, Biden became the vice president, and Hillary Clinton became the secretary of state. The Kerry-Biden Bill took the shape of a Kerry-Lugar Bill, which then had to be passed again through the Congress constitutional process. The debate began on 6 January and as usual it passed through foreign policy committee to the Congress to the Senate and then to the US President and the Pakistani people. Then, the debate on the language and text of the Kerry-Lugar took such a shape in Pakistan that the government, which was initially terming it a big success were forced to go in the defensive and were coaxed to present the bill in parliament.

Agreements and Financial Assistance Packages
If one goes through the history of the last six decades of agreements and financial assistance packages between the United States and Pakistan, one can easily say that one of these have been without any conditions attached to it. The fire of the US presidential debates has always been directed toward Pakistan. From the South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO ) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) to the current Kerry-Lugar Bill, the Pakistani rulers have openly selling the independence and sovereignty of our country. The ruling class in Pakistan has always been fearful of popular groups as to them stability of the country is not dear and they prefer the stability of a particular class. In addition to the national wealth and resources, foreign assistance also goes to the coffers of the rulers, politicians, and corrupt government officials. The rulers have always flown with the tide, destroyed institutions, and have made personal decisions at the expense of the dignity and respect of the country. The parliament, senate, and other institutions exist, but everyone is aware where the decisions are being made.

Prior to the Kerry-Lugar Bill, whether it was General Ayub Khan, Gen Ziaul Haque or Gen Pervez Musharraf or the different democratic governments the United States has always been their source of help and guidance. During the Cold War era, the financial assistance received from the West and its leader the United States in the form of Pressler Amendment or other forms was not for the development of Pakistan instead it was given so that Pakistan could prevent access to the hot waters to the Soviet Union. Because of the close proximity of Pakistan to China and Russia, the geographical location kept Pakistan in the eyes of the United States. Previous military and economic assistance also had conditions attached to it such as restricting military arms usage against India or to stop the continuation of the nuclear program. Although until the US interest remained in the Soviet Union, the financial assistance certificates were being given to Pakistan. Hence, Pakistan continued with its nuclear program. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan achieved its nuclear objectives, which were practically displayed in the atomic tests 10 years later.

It is the habit of the United States that it carries numerous projects simultaneously. After the failure of the first, it starts the second project and, then the third, but it does not forget its objective. The objective to remove Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan from the scene was made during the first tenure of Benazir Bhutto. Although it failed then, it was continued by following democratic governments. This was finally achieved during the General Musharraf era when all blame of nuclear proliferation was thrown on him. The United States has always supported dictatorship as it is easier to achieve its objectives by dealing through an individual. Whenever patriotic spirit is aroused in a dictator he is removed from the scene. The example of General Ziaul Haque and General Ayub Khan is before us. Whenever democratic governments come after dictatorial rule, the United States starts projecting individuals. During the rule of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, when there is an opposition-government dispute or election of president or chief of Army staff, such confusions were raised through their agents in people who had the right to decide that they invariably made the wrong choice. As whoever they preferred instead of someone else, they were then responsible for dethroning them. General Zia removed Bhutto, while General Musharraf did the same with Nawaz Sharif.

War Against Terror
The United States has always been a similar feature in democratic or dictatorial governments. The present democratic tenure is also continuity in this trend. In the case of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, we could neither see the parliament, the political powers and the individual made all the decisions. In its conditions some is the language of the United States, while other language in the text is ours. The US target is the same nuclear facilities, which it tried to freeze during the Benazir government and later military eras.

Initially it used to keep its objectives hidden, but now it has openly stated it. After engaging the Pakistan Army in the war against terror and by giving the civilian government nonmilitary aid in the form of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, the United States wants to make sure that the Pakistan Army cannot use the military aid given to them in other resources. So, the Army becomes weak and they can move towards achieving their nuclear facilities objective. After the "9/11" incident, every day for the Pakistani people in this war against terrorism has become similar to "9/11". The US benefits are dear to Kerry and Lugar, why not?