APTTA and its consequences for Pakistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country; that’s why it is dependent upon transit countries for its foreign trade. Pakistan can provide Afghanistan access to a seaport, while on other hand Afghanistan due to its strategic geographic location, has the potential to provide Pakistan a land link with direct routes to the Central Asia Region, and Central Asian Republics (CARs) are full of resources and Afghanistan is regional hub between Central and South Asia. New Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) will permit Afghan trucks to carry export goods to Wagah border for India. Pak-Afghan Transit Trade deal has been done under US pressure; some analysts said that this agreement would benefit India while Pakistan would be a loser because deal carries negative consequences for Pakistan. A Pakistan official said that "we want India to allow transit facilities to Pakistan for Nepal and Bhutan", because these states has the huge hydropower potential, they can produce more electricity while because of poverty they has no technology to utilise it, and India wants the electricity of these states, Pakistan should not expect that India will provide it route for trade with Nepal and Bhutan and Pakistan has agreed to give route to Afghanistan for trade with India. Pakistan did not realise its consequences Indo-Afghan trade is not going to benefit Pakistan, it will lead its economy towards danger; Afghanistan depends on Pakistan for trade. Many goods from Peshawar and Quetta and other areas of Pakistan were exported to Afghanistan but now APTTA will provide Afghanistan trade route to India which is a greater threat to Pakistan. When the trucks will reach Pakistan territory by carrying goods for India who knows what type of material they are exporting to India. Pakistan rather showing moderate behaviour must talk about check and balance terms for these material. By providing trade route to India, Pakistan is making strong the economy of his adversary, if we see throughout history India had been trying to establish good relations with Afghanistan to destabilize Pakistan position in South Asia region, Afghanistan is a Muslim state but since 1947 Afghanistan’s relations are more stable with India than Pakistan and Afghanistan always insisted that Pakistan must provide route to Afghanistan for trade with India. If in return Afghanistan provided us route to CARs, it would not be easy for Pakistan to accomplish its interests because presence of major powers is in CARs because of their resources. So Pakistan should not allow India a trade route to Afghanistan. Our policy planners must consider the reasons and intentions of India behind this agreement. If we analyse the consequences of agreement on domestic level it will create serious economic problems for those local people, who are attached with Afghan transit trade, especially the truckers, because if Afghanistan will start this trade with India the future of local truckers will be on stake. According to President of Pak-Afghan Truck Union Haji Gul Zarin Khan "allowing Afghan trucks via Chaman to Whaga border and Karachi port would be disastrous for local transporters, besides leaving hundreds of local people jobless." It will also make security problem for Pakistan, because if any issue in India take place India always blame Pakistan so when this trade start from Pakistan, it will have to be cautious. This agreement will give Pakistan more losses rather than any benefits

Just Criticism For Pakistan, in return of efforts???

On 29th July a statement was given by Afghan President Hamid karzai that “destroy the militant sanctuaries in Pakistan”, he has give suggestion that NATO should start operation inside Pakistan, Karzai further mention that training places of terrorism are out side of Afghanistan. This was not a first time when Afghanistan blamed Pakistan, before that several times afghan president had give these type of statement regarding Pakistan that Pakistan is safe heaven for Al-Qaida , and Pakistan’s tribal areas are shelter for terrorists. The attack on Indian embassy in Kabul was also blamed on ISI, while Pakistan is still denied. Current statement by Karzai was alarm for Pakistan, country also asked to ambassador in Kabul for clarification of that statement. Karzai suggestion for NATO operation inside Pakistan, is seem as Karzai neglected all efforts of Pakistan in global war on terror, in South Asian region no state effect by terrorism more than Pakistan, in WOT Pakistan also faced causalities, more than other US allies, suicide bombing in Pakistan start after military operation in tribal areas, even Pakistan’s ex-PM Benazir also target in suicide bomb. Pakistan’s military doing operation in tribal areas and Pakistani official know how to protect their state sovereignty, while Karzai’s suggestion of NATO operation was shocking, on one hand Pakistan trying to cooperate with Afghanistan for stability of Afghanistan, APTTA is an effort for stability in afghan region, while Karzai blamed Pakistan for instability in Afghanistan. US start operation in Afghanistan and Pakistan has to involve in WOT, because Pakistan share border with Afghanistan, Pakistan efforts to counter terrorism are more than from Afghanistan, and terrorist organization in tribal area linked with Afghanistan, Pakistani effecting from cross border terrorism, and instability in Pakistan is because of Afghanistan, rather than blaming Pakistan Mrs.Karzai should start cooperation, and appreciate Pakistan efforts in WOT. The Afghan government has claimed that “Pakistan is playing a double game, supplying a vital land route for NATO equipment into Afghanistan while tolerating the Taliban in and around the city of Quetta.” Pakistan’s officials said they did not know why Karzai has these types of statements, Pakistan and Afghanistan was ally in war against terrorism, both were cooperating US in WOT, but Karzai’s these statement can create environment of mistrust in both states.


Not only Karzai but also India blaming Pakistan for supporting terrorism and terrorist organization, Indian official also admit that factor that Pakistan is home of terrorists and tribal areas of Pakistan are home of terrorist while Pakistan’s authorities have asserted that India is involve in Baloch uprising against government. British PM Cameron also blamed Pakistan for supporting terrorism; he said that export of terrorism is from Pakistan, in joint press conference he argued that “ no one is in any doubt, least of all the Pakistani government themselves, that there has been and still are terrorist organizations like Lashker-e-Tayyaba and other that need to be cracked down on and eliminated,”. Cameron’s blame on Pakistan was disappointed for Pakistani nation, in WOT Pakistan is US ally, so Cameron should not blame Pakistan. In past Gordon Brown also made these type of statements that a majority of terror threat to Britain emerged from the border areas of Pakistan. These states several times blamed Pakistan that Pakistan territory is using for terrorism; while in India there are so much terrorist organization and Taliban are generate from Afghanistan, while in any event of in any terrorist attack on their soil they always blame on Pakistan. In military operation and drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal areas many innocent people killed, Pakistan has paid huge cost of WOT. Operation in swat and than migration from Swat, suicide bombing in public areas, and target killing are enough evident to proof that Pakistan is also suffering from terrorism and fighting against terrorism, and not supporting terrorism. WOT also effect Pakistan’s economy, one reason of inflation in Pakistan is that Pakistan spending huge on military budget after 9/11, while in Afghanistan 50% of US aid, Karzai is using itself, all member of Karzai’s family is enjoying luxuries from US aid and spending little amount on country’s development, Karzai has no time pay attention on terrorism situation in Afghanistan but has enough time to criticize Pakistan. Indo-Afghan nexus in region is also threat to Pakistan, Islamabad argued that Pakistan is effecting from cross border terrorism and Indian consulates bordering Pakistan are involved in sponsoring terrorism on its soil; while both states are blaming Pakistan, we can say that India seeking good relation with Afghanistan only destabilizing Pakistan. As Karzai give suggestion of NATO operation in Pakistan’s territory, Pakistan should take serious measures rather than showing moderate behavior because it is not first time when Karzai blame us, Pakistan should stop Karzai from these comments because these statements making bad image of Pakistan on international level. Pakistan must negotiate with Karzai and Cameron over the clarification of these statements; Pakistan official through diplomatic channels must negotiate with these two leader, in that situation when Pakistan paying huge cost of terrorism in form of suicide bombing and target killing, other state should appreciate Pakistan’s efforts, US also negotiate and avoid both for these kinds of statements.

Impact of Indian media on Pakistan

Indian movies and dramas have perilous impact on Pakistan’s media, culture and public. If we talk about TV dramas, the one leading channel of India is Star Plus, which is now favorite TV channel of Pakistani, almost more than other TV channels. Government did try to ban this TV channel but people protests and wants it back. There was a time when Indian drama makers admitted themselves that Pakistani dramas are fabulous and admirable than Indian dramas, but if we see current situation people are more inspire from Indian dramas. Star plus and other private TV channels of India has impact on our public, they show more their culture in their dramas rather than story. Mostly scene of their dramas shows that family is busy in warship of God, in their dramas they mostly show their religion or they are celebrating Hindu customs, in all TV channel in their dramas they regularly present their culture, their traditional events like holy, devali, rakhi, and karva chaut etc, they present their families in heavy jewelry, and that attract Pakistani woman. The ladies saw heavy jewelries wearing by Indian women in Indian dramas they made stupendous perception about India and they impress from Indian culture that in every event family gift heavy jewelry to their ladies but they neglect the fact that it in not actual India, in India half public is suffering from poverty and mostly people live in below poverty line, they are so many ethnic conflicts in India and Muslim are treating like minority in India, especially on those areas where the Hindus are in majority at that places Muslims are not allows to celebrate their tradition. India is not actual that India what they show in their dramas, they only show here positive aspect of their society, their rich culture, their religion, patriotism and loyalty with their country, these kind of thing has also impact in mind of young generation, especially on children, because if they see Indian dramas they will also made positive sketch of India in their mind, now children are more aware from Hindu culture and Hindu tradition than their own culture if they see dramas in which India show loyalty toward their own country and religion than what type of massage Pakistani children are getting, government must think over it, first government should ban over star plus and other Indian private TV channels. Because of Indian media Pakistani Childeren are more aware from Hindu culture and Hindi language than their own culture and language, childerens mix Hindi words in Urdu language and use it in their daily routine. The parents can monitor what their children are watching and the Government can monitor what foreign channels are displaying by setting up a watch committee. Pakistan channel must make those types of dramas in which they should promote our own religion duties because some our TV channels also show Hindu culture in dramas, they must show our own tradition, culture, and customs. Our country is rich in culture many tourists come from whole world to see Kalash culture and see Kalash traditional activities; our different province have different traditions and different customs, we should show these cultures in our dramas to tell our young generation about own traditions.


If we talk about Indian movies they are also promoting loyalty toward India and show hatred against Muslims and Pakistan, in India movies whenever they show some ethnic groups or some terrorist organization they always give them name of Muslims, and Islam. In their movies they show Muslim as extremists. While in India there are so much extremist organization, but in their movies they show Pakistani as extremists. One Indian movie “My name is Khan” which give the massage that all Muslims are not terrorists, in this movie Shah Rukh Khan proclaims, “My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist!” India ban on that movie, this movie also infuriated Shiv Sena, a Hindu ultranationalist group that advocates snapping all sporting and cultural ties with Pakistan. It launched a campaign against Khan, threatening to stall his film’s release until he apologized and take back his statement, which he refused to do; so burning Shah Rukh Khan’s effigy and shouting slogans like “Shah Rukh Khan, go away to Pakistan!” this show how much hatred India has for Pakistan. In many patriotic programs which they show on their patriotic days they show Pakistani soldiers as extremists, and in the end of movie always Indian soldiers won the war and Pakistani soldiers have to loose. They show their soldiers patriotic and Pakistan’s soldiers as disloyal; and also show AJK as their integral part, and promote that Pakistan force Kashmir’s public to unite with Pakistan. On other hand Pakistan instead raise this issue on international level always show moderate behavior, we should ban Indian movies in Pakistan, but Pakistani cinemas shows Indian movies. In their movies India shows anti-Pakistan feelings, in some movies they show vulgarity. Which shows bad impact on mind of our young generation, through their media India want to role in mind of our generation, our government must take steps to counter India; it must be ban on India transmission in Pakistan. India media always criticize Pakistan in form of dramas and film or in reality, like in Mumbai attacks Indian media show bad image of Pakistan in whole world, in recent meetings of foreign ministers of both countries one Indian newspaper blamed Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for the “failure” of peace talks. They always criticize Pakistan, and Pakistani shows liberal attitude, now we have to take coercive measures, we are nuclear power and have deterrence so why we always show silence response. Through their media India trying to brain washes Pakistani society and our government is showing moderate behavior.

US coercive policy toward Sino-Pak relation & Indian factor

If we compare United State (US) policy toward Pakistan with US policy toward India, we will analyze that how much US is biased toward India. US has always favored India and US did always criticize Pakistan, in the case of Pakistan civil nuclear deal with China, US and India has got another evidence to malign Pakistan on international level. China is not only Pakistan’s superlative neighbor but also reliable friend who always helped Pakistan in every trouble; China extended its cooperation with Pakistan in all fields of life but unfortunately our rulers have been eyeing at America despite knowing the fact that US had always preferred India to Pakistan in all affairs like in defense cooperation, joint military exercises, transfer of atomic technology and trade etc. India has crazy ambitions and wants to be an hegemonic power in South Asian region and US also supporting India because US see India as best candidate in South Asia to counter China. US and India both had signed civil nuclear deal while US officials said Pakistan should not aspect same deal from US, but on other hand Pakistan is US ally in war against terrorism, and Pakistan had deserved same deal, when Pakistan-China concluded civil nuclear deal, US and India show concerns over that deal. In Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) meeting in New Zealand, China announced to build a 650 mw nuclear power plant in Punjab, Pakistan and adopted the stance that the US had also signed an agreement of the same nature with India in 2005, through this deal, India would have massive nuclear facilities for the civil purposes and its current reactors and nuclear weapons material would remain devoted for the nuclear weapons. While in case of Pak-Sino civilian nuclear deal both U.S and India has sought a clarification from Pakistan regarding the Sino-Pak Nuclear Deal, while Islamabad has rejected the demand for the clarification. The Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Abdul Basit retorted the statement by saying that, “Sino-Pak nuclear deal is for peaceful purposes and no country should have any objection”, an another statement issued from Chinese Embassy in Washington, “Pak-China civil nuclear pact did not violate International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) laws and it has been designed in accordance of International law, therefore no one should raise objections on it”. Chinese official further argued that China is friendly and neighboring country of Pakistan and China will cooperate to meet Pakistan’s energy needs, and both states have closed cooperation in other different sectors also and China signed the agreement keeping in view Pakistan’s energy needs and that deal was necessary to overcome Pakistan’s energy requirement; these arguments shows that Pak-Sino civil nuclear deal is for pure peaceful purposes while on one hand US and India has same nuclear deal but in case of Pak-Sino civil nuclear deal they both have concerns. US is sole super power, so both IAEA and NSG were unable to sustain the US pressure for objection over the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, but now they are creating hurdles for Pakistan, this all show how US is preferred India over Pakistan. US talk about arms control but that is the fact that US is only state who test its nuclear weapons on civilian (Japan), and also first state in world who got nuclear weapons, in the case of violation of NPT, China by concluding deal with Pakistan did not violate NPT because Pak-China Nuclear Deal was concluded in 1986, and at that time China was neither the member of NSG nor it had signed the NPT; China signed the NPT in 1992 and became the member of NSG in 2004. While by concluding nuclear deal with India, US violated this treaty. US officials vowed that any state that has not signed the NPT cannot be granted the facility; and China has granted Pakistan, but the sole super power neglected the fact that India is also a non-signatory to NPT, and to facilitate India is also violation of NPT. US has concern over Pak-Sino civil nuclear deal while US promoting same deal with India; as India has craze of hegemonic power in South Asia, instead of using counter strategies US promoting deal with India while making hurdles for Pakistan. Pakistan is liberal state who is even against discriminatory terms of FMCT; Pakistan did emphasis that not only future but also present stockpile of fissile material must include in that treaty, while India was against that. Pakistan is not involved in proliferation issue, US must stop dictating Pakistan. Pak-Sino nuclear deal is under the IAEA safeguards, while US and India pointed finger on Pakistan, disregarded the fact that they both also has same deal. In 2009, India has tie up a significant civil nuclear deal with the Russian Federation. The deal had aimed to ensure the transfer of nuclear technology and a continuous supply of nuclear fuel to the Indian nuclear reactors. According to that deal, Russian Federation will has to set up four nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu State (Kudankulam) and one in the West Bengal area. This deal is inimitable and unique because of the fact that, Russia would not stop the supply of nuclear fuel and material, even if India goes for the conduct of future nuclear tests; now here question raise that why US has no objection on that deal because this deal can start arms race in South Asia, Russian Federation (former Soviet Union) is also US collaborator in effort of non-proliferation, and both did efforts for negotiations on arms control and disarmament agenda, if Russian Federation would conclude same agreement with Pakistan, both India and US will be the first to criticize that deal. India has also engaged in concluding deal with Canada, According to that deal, Canada will support India in the establishment of nuclear reactors, as well as import of uranium to India. That particular deal includes cooperation in the management of nuclear waste and radiation safety; now again this deal also shows US discrimination with Pakistan, Canada is US ally, if US has concerns over Sino-Pak deal and pressurizing them for that deal than how US can not pressurize Canada to stop concluding nuclear deal with India? India on one hand going to conclude nuclear deals with other states while in case of Pakistan, India shows concerns. US should admit the fact that without the support of Pakistan US can not win its so called war on terrorism (WOT) in Afghanistan, and no other South Asian state affected by WOT as Pakistan, but still US preferring India over Pakistan. Now Pakistani rulers should open their eyes and should realize the US discrimination, US is not our ally, US had left Pakistan in hard times; so Pakistan instead of associating hopes with the West,( especially US), has to take further steps to strengthen relations with China, Pakistan should promote its cooperation with China; because US is always there to criticize Pakistan. Let the try US, and India, I am hopeful that their criticism and discrimination will not be able to diminish Pakistan’s spirits.