PAK::AFFAIRS

Today General David Patraeus commander of U.S. Central Command has said that the next two weeks are critical to determining whether the Pakistani government will survive.

“The Pakistanis have run out of excuses” and are “finally getting serious” about combating the threat from Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists operating out of Northwest Pakistan, the general added.

Recent comments by the U.S. President Obama during his presidency’s 100th day press conference pretty much threw President of Pakistan under the bus while propping up Pakistan Army.

It appears that Obama Administration is getting increasingly frustrated with Pakistan Government’s casual business under current circumstances while hoping for Army to get involved directly to curb the Taliban problem. Seems like the foreign governments are more concerned about Pakistani people than its own government.

Regardless of what the U.S. thinks, I personally am getting frustrated with the current Pakistan Government myself. I am not a big fan of top level personalities but was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and for them to prove to me and people like me wrong – what could have been a breath of fresh air. But it is increasingly apparent that my wishful thinking and fake optimism is about  to dissipate, although not surprising.

Pakistan Government’s inaction and its lack of effort to take its people under confidence is utterly pathetic. People of Pakistan seem to have waken up and are coming out on the streets against Taliban and governments inaction. The problem is not just Talibans but it is multi facetted and complex – but none discussed publicly?

The talking heads, especially the political party leaders and the members are coming on Pakistani TV channels regularly discussing the problems, conspiracies, laying blame here and there and whining. I yet have to see any one of them offer up a solution or government’s plans to rid us of this spiraling chaos. Aren’t they part of the government? Shouldn’t they be talking about this among themselves in the National Assembly and proposing some fixes etc. Why are they bitching about this on the media? Why why?

Also I have noticed that the TV hosts especially on GEO TV seem to find comfort from what people outside of the country and non-Pakistanis have something positive to say about Pakistan? What the hell?

Anyway, I am getting more and more convinced that something is about to happen in Pakistan pretty soon as far as the government is concerned. Zardari’s coming U.S.visit will probably set the stage, he’d probably be asked to step aside and let the Army come in and take over, or something of the sort.

If the civilian or “democratic” governments of Pakistan, whether past or present, were strong enough and had any influence over the federation, I am all for it. I do not think Pakistan Army should be in the business of running political affairs of the country. But then again the civilian governments don’t leave me with any choice or any reason for not to support the Army’s interference. This is a discussion for another day… and shall be discussed!