Exit of a trusted ally

What is of significance is the way in which the United States has ‘washed its hands’ off Musharraf (the most trusted ally in the war against terror). Statements like, ‘the struggles of Pakistan’s new government are an internal political matter that the country’s leaders must sort out for themselves,’ sound ridiculous coming from the US officials who have interfered with and manipulated political changes for long.

So much so, that they use our leaders time and again, to further their national interests and then ditch them when they are no longer needed. Musharraf was left ‘high and dry’ when Washington felt that a democratic government could ‘do more’ in the war against terror than a military dictator.

Musharraf should have seen it coming cause in politics there is no permanent enemy and no permanent friend and the US hasn’t ditched its ‘friend’ for the first time. The Shah of Iran is the most potent example. When he was forced to go in exile by the popular movement in his country the US not only refused to give him asylum but issued a one-line statement that he had become unpopular in his country. President Suharto of Indonesia was also a ‘great pal’ of the US, who was left alone in his hour of need. President Noriega and Marcus are also an example in history to show how ‘very faithful and long lasting’ the US friendship is.

What our present leaders need to understand is that the post-Musharraf era is in the hands of the people of Pakistan. The American policies during the Musharraf-era have become very unpopular especially regarding the war against terror. The people of Pakistan realise that Musharraf fought the ‘US war on terror’ on their home ground and has been responsible for what Pakistan is going through today. If our present rulers don’t see the writing on the wall then they will also be used, abused and dumped by the US like many in the past. But most importantly, such rulers will never be forgiven by the history of this nation.

The writer is a former research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad