Washington, 16 May (AKI/DAWN) - Pakistan’s domestic security and political stability appears to have weakened in 2005, particularly in Balochistan, where the government faces an increasingly restive armed uprising. The assertion comes from the latest report on Pakistan, prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) for US lawmakers.
The report notes that: "Beginning in January and continuing to the present day, well-armed tribesmen in the sparsely populated, but resource-rich Balochistan province have caused serious disruptions by targeting power, transportation, and communication lines, and engaging in sporadic battles with government forces there."
The conflict caused thousands of civilians to flee their homes and, on March 19, at least 40 people were killed and scores injured when a bomb exploded at a religious shrine in a remote area of Balochistan, the report says.
Despite these developments, the US remains committed to Pakistan and on March 16, the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, met Pakistan’s prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, and president Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, where she told Pakistan that "the United States will be a friend for life," the report points out.
Nine days later, the Bush Administration announced that the United States would resume the sale of F-16 fighters to Pakistan after a 16-year hiatus, the report says. According to the CRS, justification for the decision - which came with suggestions that India may also purchase advanced US-built warplanes and other major weapons systems - include a US interest that Pakistan "feel secure" and a perception that a substantive US defence relationship with both Pakistan and India will stabilise "the balance" between them.
The report also notes that vocal critics of the move include the Indian and Russian governments, as well as numerous US and Pakistan-based analysts who contend that it may strengthen non-democratic forces in Islamabad and/or fuel an arms race in the region.
Two days before the decision was announced, 20 members of the House sent a letter to President Bush urging him to not license the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan as such a sale would "undermine our long-term strategic interests in South Asia" and "squander an opportunity" to continue building positive relations with India.
The report also touched on the April 7 bus service which was launched, linking Muzaffarabad in Pakistani Kashmir and Srinagar in Indian Kashmir. "The service is a major confidence-building measure that allows separated Kashmiri families to reunite for the first time since 1947," the report says.
The CRS points out that regional terrorism; weapons proliferation; Pakistan-India tensions, including the Kashmir conflict, human rights protection and economic development continue to be key US concerns regarding Pakistan.
The Congressional Research Service also noted that Washington continues to believe that a stable, democratic, economically thriving Pakistan is vital to US interests in Asia. Explaining these concerns, the report points out that Pakistan is identified as a base for terrorist groups and their supporters operating in Kashmir, India and Afghanistan and it continues to face serious problems, including domestic terrorism and human rights violations.
Turning to Pakistan’s cooperation in the war against terror, the report notes that since late 2003, Pakistan’s army has been conducting unprecedented counter terrorism operations in traditionally autonomous western tribal areas.
A potential Pakistan-India nuclear arms race, it says, has been the focus of US non-proliferation efforts in South Asia. Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators have turned positive since 2001, but widespread poverty persists, and rates of foreign investment remain low.
Democracy has fared poorly in Pakistan; the country has endured military rule for half of its existence. In 1999, the elected government was ousted in an extra-constitutional coup led by Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf, who later assumed the title of president. Elections in 2002 resulted in no majority party emerging, though significant gains for religious parties were notable. A new civilian government is seated, but it remains weak, and Musharraf has retained his position as army chief. |
