There are many American toadies among our politicians who are keeping mum over Pakistan’s decision to join the 34-countries military alliance masterminded by the Saudis for the fear that if they criticised it Uncle Sam might be annoyed, which they want to avoid, as many of their financial gains are dependent on Washington. Only Imran Khan has spoken in the matter openly by demanding a debate on it in parliament. Instead of jumping the gun and joining this new bandwagon of 34 countries, Islamabad should have had the courage to tell Riyadh that unlike Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is a parliamentary democracy and, therefore, the consent of parliament would be essential before making a decision whether or not to join it. What was the big deal in joining it in poste-haste is not understandable?It would have been better had Pakistan steered cleared of this American-sponsored Alliance which is going to cause more harm than good to this country internationally as there are wheels within wheels in it. Experience of hindsight reveals that our association with the American sponsored military pacts of various sorts in the past had created suspicions in the minds of our neighbouring countries, particularly, Russia and to some extent China, to boot.
The prime minister had better step in at once to find a solution of the grown and growing tension between the Rangers and the Sind government which is increasing by the day. The Sind government has shown the door to the public prosecutor of the Rangers in Dr Asim Hussain case which only goes on to prove how much it is meddling in the judicial process in order to secure a verdict of its choice in favour of Dr Asim Hussain.
The way a heavy weather has been made of Ayan Ali’s case by the PPP has brought a bad name to it. Those within the PPP who call the shots are desperately trying to clear the decks for her escape to the Emirates for some time so that for the moment dust settles down on the case against her for smuggling foreign currency outside Pakistan.