Pakistan is facing utmost embarrassing situation due to the killing of Osama Bin Ladin inside its territory near Pakistan Military Academy in its garrison city Abbottabad, situated some 40 miles away from the capital city, Islamabad. In the past, Pakistan had repeatedly been denying reports indicating the presence of Osama bin Laden and his aides on its soil. This was an utterly embarrassing situation for Pakistan when Osama bin Laden was spotted and killed inside Pakistan. In the midst of this hard time for Pakistan, America and its allies have started raising questions on the intentions of Pakistan in the ongoing War on Terrorism. “It’s inconceivable that Bin Laden did not have a support system in the country that allowed him to remain there for an extended period of time John O. Brennan, the president’s top counterterrorism official, said at a White House briefing on Monday. CIA Chief Leon Penetta was quoted saying that Pakistan is either accomplice or incompetent.
What else could be a more candid expression of lack of trust in Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism than CIA chief Leon Panetta’s statement that they kept Islamabad out of the loop on the operation fearing that it could jeopardize the activity and “might alert the targets.”Britain and France in unison doubted Pakistan’s version that its intelligence agencies had no knowledge of the al Qaeda kingpin living in undetected luxury house, right under the nose of the prestigious military training academy. India not losing a chance to pinpoint Pakistan has expressed that it is now clear that Pakistan is a safe haven for terrorists. Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai too bombarded Pakistan with the same kind of words.
Pakistan is highly perturbed at this extremely unpredictable development which struck Pakistan in the wee hours of Monday morning. Yousaf Raza Gilani, Pakistan’s premier, said it was embarrassing for the whole world that Osama bin Laden could not be captured earlier despite the latest technology available with the international community at war. He called it the failure of intelligence agencies of whole world. He tried to save Pakistan from complete humiliation in Osama episode but it might have a very little impact on the world leaders.
The Obama administration is demanding an explanation from Pakistan on how Osama bin Laden was able to hide in the country for so long before he was killed by US Special Forces. Bin Laden was staying in a prominent million-dollar, high-security residence in an area full of soldiers and close to the country’s premier military academy. However, leaving other things aside Barack Obama has termed world a safer place than the past. He said: “The world is safer. It is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden.”
Pakistan has started feeling heat of Osama bin Laden’s killing inside its territory. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has vehemently announced that they will avenge the death of their hero Osama and that Pakistan is their enemy number one. “Pakistan has openly collaborated with the forces of the evils to kill our hero”, they accused in a statement released on May 3rd. Security analysts who are observing this issue keenly, are of the opinion that Taliban have great reverence for Osama and they will fight back as soon as they get a chance. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and FATA region can be their potential targets which are already facing a plethora of problem due to terrorism and extremism. We have seen in the past that military installations and civil offices have been reduced to ashes by Taliban forces. In the post Osama milieu they have become more vulnerable.
Pakistan is caught between devil and deep sea. USA, Europe and the rest of the world is scolding her for not spotting out Osama Bin Ladin who was living near capital city for the last four to five years. “The notion of a close and strong relationship with Pakistan in part is premised on their cooperation in our confrontation with terrorist groups. The record so far is very weak,” Californian Representative Howard Berman, a co-sponsor of the 2009 aid bill, said this week. Moreover, Taliban are anguished that their hero is targeted with the state help of Pakistan and they will hit out at them in near future. Conservative Pakistani society is extremely upset over the blunt intrusion of USA into the Pakistani territory. They are of the opinion that even if Osama was here it was the duty of Pakistani security forces to take appropriate action. It seems as if nothing is going in the favor of Pakistan.
A close analysis of the future reveals that US Economic aid may be cut down to punish Pakistan for its negligence. This will have severe repercussions for the already dwindling economy of Pakistan. On Monday 2nd April, Karachi stock market lost a massive 285 points amid looming threats by the United States that it might cut aid to Pakistan after the assassination of Osama bin Laden on its soil. Looking at the past Congress has approved $20 billion over the past decade for Pakistan, making it one of the biggest U.S. aid recipients, with about half to reimburse Pakistan for help in fighting extremists. However, Lawmakers are debating whether they should attach more strings to the billions of dollars in aid they give Pakistan, or cut Islamabad off after Osama bin Laden was found not far from the capital. In the post Osama scenario another setback to Pakistan will be greater and mounted US pressure on her for doing military operation in North Waziristan. This was long standing demand of USA which will now be forced again with fresh emphasize. Pakistan Army has been eschewing this operation for the last two years as it’s already overstretched in FATA and KPK. Furthermore, Pakistan is alone at diplomatic front. Every other country is criticizing Pakistan for its alleged involvement in giving shelter to Osama. Her political image is damaged as everyone including USA, West, Taliban and Osama aides in Al-Qaeda feels betrayed by Pakistan.
To sum up, Pakistan is passing through its most difficult phase of history. Osama, the world number one terrorist, was killed inside Pakistan near its military centers. USA is pondering over the option to cut in the aid to Pakistan. Western states are in a furious mode over this negligence. Taliban have owed to avenge by targeting military and civil installations. Added to that, the conservative section of the society inside Pakistan can create unrest. There is dire need to look at this situation more prudently. Speak less and act more.
