Date Written : Oct 16, 2001
"US mulls transfer of new arms to Pakistan." This was the heading in the media. According to American Heritage Dictionary, mull means "To go over extensively in the mind; ponder." We do not know what is going on in the American mind, but now since Pakistan is facing internal disturbances, America should go ahead and give arms to Pakistan.
After the US-led attacks on Afghanistan, Pakistan has seen lot of anti-US demonstrations in several cities. Some demonstrations have turned violent, in which few people have died. Even during the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, large protests by Islamic groups continued. They were furious that Musharraf is backing the military action in neighbouring Afghanistan. Day by day it will become difficult for Pakistan to handle the situation.
After the US-led attacks on Afghanistan lot of refugees are crossing the borders from Afghanistan to Pakistan, few of refugees being Taliban fighters. Lot of the Afghans were seen in the protest rallies in Quetta and Peshwar. In Jacobabad the mob had turned violent which killed few Jihadis. They carried placards and banners inscribed with anti-American slogans, besides portraits of Osama bin Laden. A Hardliner, Maulana Haidri declared an "open war" against the Pakistani Government. He warned that the military installations in Pakistan will be smashed and burnt down if they are thrown open to US. Maulana Mehmood Ghaznavi, said they had decided to take part in suicide attacks against the US in Afghanistan and Pakistan and will fight shoulder to shoulder with their Taliban brethren. Jamaat-e-Islami party chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed has called for the ouster of President Pervez Musharraf because of his pro-US stance.
Even if US is taking minimal help from Pakistan for the War against Terrorism, this is the only time that US can help Pakistan. US can start with providing arms to the Pakistani Police so that the Jihadis are dealt with ruthlessly. But the ruthlessness of Police can not go beyond an extent. The Jihadi mindset amongst the Police cannot kill their own Jihadi citizens with bullets. So US needs to give Pakistan a large number of rubber bullets. US can also think of giving Pakistan Tear gas shells, Water cannons and Shields to protect the Pakistani Police. US can also go ahead and provide some anti-riot expertise to Pakistan.
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