With every passing moment confusion is swelling over the death of Osama bin Laden. It’s been more than a week since Osama is dead but still no respite in the foray of rumors that has left all and sundry petrified. In the current scenario most of our time is spent in decoding the swirling conspiracy theories that are looming around in the media and everywhere else. Whatever come may, the leadership in Pakistan is not in complete concordance with the highly unpredictable situation that has engulfed the whole region. When Operation Geronimo ended in Abottabd on the very next morning Pakistani Premier in Islamabad had two important tasks to do; packing for Paris and political settlement with PML (Q). According to my opinion he needs an elaborative lecture that defense and security issues are far more important than political compulsions and diplomatic practices. These usual affairs could be met at any other alternative time but he preferred to go abroad leaving his nation in lurch. While addressing the Senate of Pakistan, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani said that the operation intruded his schedule on the same day when he had to leave for Paris. It seems a reasonable reply as who would want to eschew cool Paris trip while Islamabad is in the grip of scorching heat. On the issue of PML (Q) we have yet to receive an amusing answer. Whereas, this was a time to lead from the front our President got a tight igloo in President House where he takes refuge whenever something untoward happens. Operation Geronimo was no different and the whole nation is deprived of the presidential stance on this whole saga.
It’s a common practice all over the world that national leaders immediately address their respective nations in extraordinary situation like 9/11, 7/7, 26/11 etc. This practice aims at boosting the morale of nation and portrays a notion of strength through unity because these symbolic presentation matters a lot in this media age. However, Pakistani Premier and President did not adhere to these practices to sooth the aggrieved nation who thought they were robbed of their sovereignty by 79 US Navy seals that murdered and took away Osama from Abbotabd keeping the whole security apparatus of Pakistan in dark. Pakistani nation was expecting a lot form the speech of Prime Minister in National Assembly but this address was a thorough disappointment. It was a mere compilation of the statements issued by foreign ministry, ISPR and other government officials in the last week. This whole situation concerns the whole Pakistan greatly but there is very little to be offered to them.
To exasperate situation for Pakistan, the US and Western leaders have opened a new front for the dumfounded Pakistani leaders. They have started questioning openly about the nature of involvement of Pakistan in US sponsored War on Terrorism. US ambassador, Cameron Punter, commissioned in Pakistan recently said that Pakistan has to answer what Osama was doing in Pakistan. Moreover, he added that drone attack would continue without any consideration. This is an unusual stern and candid attitude from foreign diplomats. Pakistan has to take this issue very seriously that what factors have brought relations between two allies to this extremity. Another thundering remark has come from Michael O’Hanlon, director of research at the Brookings Institution, who writes “Pakistan arguably remains the most complex ally the US has ever had in wartime. Nine Years into the campaign we still cannot clearly answer the question of whether Pakistan is with us or against us”.
This situation is really griping but not for the government in Pakistan for whom the most concerning issues are the conceived post of deputy prime minister, power sharing in center and provinces, powerful money making ministries and governorship of Punjab. This business must be given a break right now. There is a dire need to have a comprehensive policy to tackle this issue. This policy must involve all the stake holders. Leadership must take initiatives to regroup the people who have fallen prey to Western oriented information propagated through local and international media.
