More than ever Pakistan today needs a well-defined America Policy, a rational and realistic Iran Policy, a fact-based India Policy, a deep-rooted Arab Policy, and a dynamic as well as pragmatic overall Foreign Policy. The recent events have enhanced this need quite ‘drastically’. Among these events the recent U.S-claimed drone attack that supposedly killed Mullah Akhtar Mansoor the Taliban Chief on Pakistan’s soil, is the most alarming and consequential. But Pakistan doesn’t have a functional Foreign Minister. And our Prime Minister is relying heavily on the supposed competence of a mediocre ex-diplomat, and the presumed respectability of an ancient crony who is trying hard to defy the ravaging effects of age. Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has kept the sensitive field of Foreign Relations in his own hands— so as to push his new-found agenda of courtship with Modi’s India more comfortably. This new-found agenda of MNS is rooted in the India-based commercial interests of his sons, as well as in the ‘continuously flowing’ advice of his ‘coterie’ of liberal-secular newly discovered advisers like Najam Sethi and company. Never before in the history of Pakistan, persons hostile to the known ideology and ethos of Pakistan had functioned so freely in the corridors of power. It seems Mian Nawaz Sharif had changed his core beliefs and religion during his years in the self-opted exile.
As we all know MNS is not really exceptional in the area of cerebral strengths. Arguably he should be the least gifted Prime Minister of Pakistan in this area. Raja Pervez Ashraf and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain can compete him for that distinction. But MNS will be able to beat them. His only known attribute is his ability to make money the easiest way. But Pakistan unfortunately can hardly benefit from this ability in these crucial times of its history: Pakistan today needs serious leadership. But its citizens wake up every morning now to two most familiar faces glaring at them, smiling at them and grinning at them from eye-catching advertisements adorning the pages of all newspapers. The happy faces of two brothers ruling an anguished Pakistan.
