PROFESSOR ALI SUKHANVER

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Shifting the portrait of President Obama from his room to the adjoining store-room, my elder son said to me, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The Americans are the misguided missiles. We will have to lead them to the right path. We will have to put them in the right placeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. I still remember the day when President Obama was elected President of theUSAand my son was celebrating his success in such a joyous manner as I had never ever noticed before.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I had asked him, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Why are you so happy on the success of this black man?ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ I could very easily feel the trust and confidence oozing out of his words. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Baba – This black man would one day illuminate every nook and corner of the world.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ And now the same young man was eager to throw away the portrait of his ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”beloved leaderƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ somewhere in the junk of store-room.

This is not only the story of my elder son; it is the story of every young man inPakistan. Obama, who had become the most favourite leader of the Pakistani youth during his election campaign, no more resides in the hearts he had conquered. Though today, the Pakistani nation is unfortunately divided and sub-divided into countless fragments and fractions; sometimes on the basis of religious creeds and dogmas and sometimes on the basis of political leanings and inclinations but there is just one thing which has miraculously magnetized them together ; a never ending, ever-increasing hatred for the US.

The recent malicious, merciless and cruelly indiscriminate aerial battering by NATO at Salala border outpost in Mohmand Agency has added a lot to this loathing. Although the NATO forces and theUStroops deputed there inAfghanistanare two separate identities yet the people ofPakistanconsider them one and the same thing. This aerial attack on Pakistani military check-post by the NATO forces is being regarded as a criminal act of aggression of theUSAagainstPakistan.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ TheUSpolicy-makers seem completely ignorant of the reality that such mischievous activities earn nothing but a disgusting and revolting fury of every Pakistani. This brutal act which took the lives of more than 27 soldiers ofPakistanarmy and caused a lot of destruction to the Pakistani military check-post has put the whole nation in a state of pain and agony.

The entire nation has collectively expressed its infuriation and aggravation at the loss of so many precious lives in the result of such malevolent and cantankerous act of violence. Our so-called American friends, the patrons of the NATO forces, have now made it clear to the people ofPakistanthat it is the high-time they must come out of the oblivious and imaginary world of Pak-US friendship.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is something very unfortunate that in spite of such a long companionship withPakistan, theUSAnever succeeded in winning the hearts of the people ofPakistan. The so-called Pak-US relationship has never been very popular with the people ofPakistan. They have always been of the opinion thatAmericahas ever been exploiting this self-styled relationship for its own specified purposes.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ IfAmericawere sincere with the people ofPakistan, it could have done a lot for them in shape of economic and social reforms; it could have strengthened the armed forces ofPakistanso that they might be able to fight more enthusiastically against the menace of terrorism. Instead of showering drones and missiles on innocent citizens ofPakistan, it could have provided them with new opportunities of earning their bread but it never happened so. As a result of it, there came nothing but hatred and disliking forAmericaon the part of the Pakistani people. The recent killing of the Pakistani soldiers has added more fuel to the already blazing passions of the Pakistani nation.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ More pathetic is the fact that theUSauthorities are not ready to accept the responsibility of this brutality. They are continuously naming it as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”unintended and unintentional attackƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  While conveying her personal condolences on the deaths of Pakistani soldiers the United State Secretary Hillary Clinton reiterated the sameUSstance that the attack was not planned and both countries need wait for result of investigation. Such obstinate and stubborn behaviour of theUShi-ups would add to the already widening distances between the two countries.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The consequences would not be very much pleasing and encouraging forƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ the warriors of the so-called war on terror.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ If the people ofPakistanare given two options; either to accept the supremacy of the Islamic extremists or to believe the American crocodile story of love and affection, they would surely opt for the first one, taking it as the lesser evil. Still there is a lot of time; things must be reconsidered; not only by theUSpolicy makers but also by the political leadership ofPakistan.