Opinion

After seeking economic aid for almost 16 months, I find it amusing that the current Pakistan leadership is miffed at the conditions attached to the Kerry-Luger Aid Bill. Why is the leadership surprised especially as the bill has been debated for almost 45 days? The USA has to protect its interests and has very rightly laid out stringent terms for the yearly $1.5 billion of economic aid for the next five years.

The terms are harsh but they are alright and nobody would seriously argue against them. It is the commentary that is inducted in the bill at the insistence of the Indian lobby that is condemning and condescending of the Pakistan's military and intelligence establishment. India and Israel whose lobbies are the most powerful in the USA Congress have concluded that the Pakistan Army and intelligence establishment have to be maligned so that they are not able to protect Pakistan's national interests. Pakistan's security and economic interests dictate that Kashmir should be part of Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be a hostile but friendly and brotherly country. India's unceasing reign of oppression in Kashmir and its growing influence in the Northern Alliance-dominated Karzai government is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan.
Pakistan cannot back away from supporting the freedom movement of the Kashmiris and cannot accept India's influence in Afghanistan. Pakistan military-civilian leadership must feel cornered as the current situation is a victory for the growing Indian and dominant Israeli influence in the US policy making.
The K-L bill has made USA intentions very clear. By extending economic aid, it wants Pakistan to live like a pliant state and as a second fiddle to India. Pakistan's choices are limited; however, I believe USA has made a blunder in offering aid on shameful terms and commentary that are detrimental to Pakistan and in the real sense threaten its very existence. Pakistan will never abandon the Kashmiris and will never accept India's influence in Afghanistan.

India remains an existential threat to Pakistan and Pakistan cannot accept its controlling presence on its Western borders. In my view the KL Bill would only increase public support for Taliban fighting the USA/NATO forces in Afghanistan. I believe the bill would turn out to be counter- productive and would not create the goodwill that the USA so desperately needs amongst the Pakistani people.