The latest WikiLeaks exposures conclude that Pakistan has been under constant US influence and pressure to intensify the fight against terrorism, flourishing swiftly inside its borders.US President Barack Obama has praised the Pakistani leadership for the increased cooperation still the results are 'uneven' and 'unsubstantial' says a latest assessment report of the new Af-Pak strategy imposed last year. Pakistan on the other hand has been persistently complaining about the unsatisfactory world response towards its tremendous sacrifices in the war against terror.  Hasan Zafar, a defence analyst quotes, "This war is costing too much. We paid heavy price for it. Our economy is devastated and we are still losing lives, still we are being dictated to 'do more' ".

According to senior officials and analysts, Pakistan has a number of solid reasons to agitate on demands to carry out military operations further in Waziristan. The constant calls for drawdown of the US troops and the coalition forces display an obscure image of a turbulent post-NATO Afghanistan which would be left back as a messy pot, too critical to handle. Pakistan doesn't view their strategic relationship with US as an extensive and sustainable nexus of mutual interests in the long run. Shahid Zamir, a freelance analyst believes. " US has a history of stepping back at critical moments as they did it after the Soviet fall in Afghanistan in the late 80s. We can't trust them. Our ways will part as soon as the US forces leave Afghanistan".

A large number of intelligence reports and strategic assessments vociferously claim hidden safe havens and sanctuaries of terrorists in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is widely believed that the Al-Qaeda leadership is under Pakistani protection in these citadels from where they are able to attack armed US and NATO personnel in Afghanistan. US has long been pressurizing Pakistan to allow extensive territorial limits where drone attacks and even ground operations can be carried out. Presence of special US task forces and agency officials in Waziristan,Balochistan and Malakand has also been cited by intelligence reports and secret cables.

In order to analyse the prevailing situation, the historical ties between Pakistani Government (GOP) and the Taliban must be studied. The GOP was included in the list of a small number of governments to recognize the Taliban rule in Afghanistan after the Russian defeat. While the US immediately stepped out clearly of the carnage of the post-Soviet Afghanistan, the GOP and the Taliban built historic ties which each other where cooperation was required. To this date, the Afghan refugees who were evacuated to Pakistan during the war reside in different parts of the country. Badged as 'illegal immigrants', a large number still mange to earn a living due to their close ethnic ties with the Pakistani population. The border region of Pakistan is the habitat of the Pushtuns who have the same cultural and linguistic traditions as the Taliban. Moreover, due to ravaged economy, poverty, ill-health and illiteracy is rampant in these areas which makes this population an easy target for recruitment.

The current situation of the Afghan battlefield is hopelessly unsuccessful. Signs of the fall of the Karzai Government and a massive Taliban takeover are imminent. The Afghan forces and agencies are deadly incompetent in combating terrorists. Eradication of terror from the region is in the very interests of all the stake-holders but Pakistan needs an insurance policy for a stable post-NATO Afghanistan. A tempestuous neighbor invaded by home-grown terrorists seems like a nuclear bomb on the head for Pakistan. The country is likely to face severe security threats if an outrageous enemy grips the Afghanistan reins.

Bizarre statements made by US official, which are largely believed to be null and void and hefty amounts of military and civilian financial aid can not cure Pakistan's increasing apprehension over its national security issues. What needs to be done is to set up the stage in a strategy which ensures long-time guarantee of peace, stability and support in the region. To achieve paramount output, maximum input is required which, in the current situation seems like a distant idea.

Tags: Afghanistan | Pakistan | US | Barack Obama | Terrorism | war | Taliban