Think Tank Town | Barton and Von Hippel on Pakistan

PCR Project Co-Directors Rick Barton and Karin von Hippel wrote a piece for the Post's Think Tank Town section this weekend, suggesting there are new opportunities opening up for Pakistan. Full piece is here, excert below: 

After eight years of military rule, Pakistanis desperately want their newly elected civilian government to fulfill their country's promise. Public support will inevitably ebb and flow because of the sudden shift to democratic governance, but the underlying dynamic is positive. The United States should fully encourage the democratic opening during this critical period.

On a recent visit to Pakistan, we discussed these changes with more than 200 political party leaders, police chiefs, judges, clerics, journalists and students. They were animated by the return of a constitutional order, even with all the challenges that accompany it. (Read the whole thing!)

I think, the people of

Submitted by on Fri, 09/26/2008 - 11:52pm.

I think, the people of Pakistan wanted to have a change in policy of the previous military regime through a democratic take over, but now all such positive changes are being faded and it is certainly creating disappointment among the people. Being an ally for the War-on-Terror, the people of this country are much more terrified by the terror attacks on any target of their own choice. This poor country needs pitty to taken upon it for restoration of peace in order to have its economy stabilized. The poor masses are being gravely affected by these dirty politics.

I am sorry to be very frank that the whole situation, right from the resistance of Islamic militants, including Al-Qaeda, against the former Soviet occupation and till the currently prevailing circumstances, was not strategically planned and handled properly. All such activities were carried out without any appropriate command over them, thus making them so strong and powerful that we are suffering today. It is very regrettable that, while extending full support (financially and militarily) to such groups, no any possible back lash was kept in mind and it was simply assumed that every thing will be fine right after the defeat of "Iron Wall".

In addition to the above, another big blunder was made that, presumably through some possible unknown mutual understandings, such militants were almost barred from return to their country of origin. Because it was known that those who did succeed in attempting to return to their country, were indisciminately picked on the spot upon disembarking from the aircraft and then they vanished for ever. That is how, after the defeat and retreat of Soviets, they got stuck in Afghanistan without any legal justification to be there. Even then it was not realized as to how to tackle them smartly for proper disarming them and plan for their appropriate rehabilitation (after all they pretty much safeguarded and protected your national interests). Thereafter, their chase huting commenced inside Afghanistan. And, in order to save their skin, they started moving back and forth across the toughest mountaineous terrains in between the two country. That is how the problem, instead of having it solved cleverly, spreaded to Pakistan too. Blood shed over the past more than seven (7) years did not prove to be achieving the goal any way, rather deteriorating more, so why not to endeavour to opt to other possible peaceful means!!!

I think it is never too late and there is nothing impossible in this world. We should start using our brains to address this problem very tactfully through peaceful means. Blood sheding is perhaps spreading the problem rather than shrinking it. I may not want to get involved into the details of any such feasible possibilities and would let the most pertinent responsible ones to ponder over it nicely.

In the end, I would like to assert that my feelings and thinking, expessed hrein, are solely without any prejudicism. However, I would like to apologize, if it or part of it, is disliked or discontended by any quarter.