It should not be conjectured that Ted Poe, a US Congressman has introduced a Bill in the Congress demanding that Pakistan a “state sponsor of terrorism” is a first step of its kind. For quite some time US Congressmen have been discussing the status of relations between the US and Pakistan. Several American army commanders conducting operations in Afghanistan have repeatedly informed Washington that Pakistan is playing a double game. On the one hand she is saying she is with the US and her troops are fighting the terrorists but on the other hand she is giving shelter and logistical support to the terrorist leaders especially of Haqqani group in Quetta and other places on Pakistani soil. If Congressman Ted Poe has moved the motion to that effect, it has been done keeping the interests of the US in mind and not the interests of other countries like India who are fighting against externally sponsored terror on their soil.
Actually, if the US was very sincere and constructive in meeting the challenge of terrorism globally, she should have taken firm action against Pakistan, which, in international opinion is the cradle of global terrorism. There is not a single terrorist activity worldwide in which Pakistani jihadi groups are not involved overtly or covertly. These jihadi groups have been raised by Pakistan army to harass the saner elements of Pak society as well as conduct sabotage in the neighbouring countries like India and Afghanistan. We are not very optimistic that the US President will approve the bill for debate in the Congress. The reason is that the ISI is deeply involved in Pakistan. Pakistan is privy to the secrets of supply of enormous arms and military hardware to the mujahideen when they were fighting against the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet army. Pakistani ISI and American CIA have worked hand in glove to bring about the defeat and repulsion of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. We should not believe that ties between the US and Pakistan are fragile. Pakistan and especially Pakistan army is well entrenched in the corridors of power in Washington. Poe’s bill seems to be nothing more than sword rattling.
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