The war on terror and Nawaz Sharif

Washington reiterated its resolve to undertake operations in Pakistan. Zardari's meeting with Bush did not yield a clear undertaking that US would stop incursions into Pakistan. Zardari could harp on the sovereignty mantra but failed to obtain a categorical assurance The statement from the Pentagon chief, Defence Secretary Robert Gates, is ominous. It merits serious notice. In his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee he said, "I think it is essential for Pakistan to be a willing partner in any strategy we have to deal with the threat coming out of its western part and the eastern part of Afghanistan."

Referring to Marriott bombing, he added that US and Pakistan faced a common enemy and expressed hope for a stronger partnership. He emphasised that the United States had a right to attack terrorists' targets in Pakistan. This assertion on the part of the defence secretary, coming as it does after the Zardari-Bush meeting makes a mockery of the frequent statements emanating from Gilani, Zardari and Qureshi that foreign intrusions into Pakistan territory would not be allowed. The PM says that diplomacy is the only viable option. Pakistan military however thinks otherwise and is keen to resist US intrusion in our space. Shooing off of NATO helicopters on Wednesday is in line with this approach.

The question is: Do we have a well-considered coherent consensus policy? All that we appear to be doing is to follow the line set by Musharraf. There is a weak successor government headed by Zardari who himself and his party are beholden to Washington for brokering a deal with Musharraf. No wonder the sunset Bush administration has escalated the pressure on Pakistan. The outgoing American president is looking for a victory after failures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new government in Pakistan may overtly sing songs of sovereignty and keep on "condemning" attacks from outside (Gilani has done it at least a dozen times), it lacks the will to defy the US dicktat. McCain and Obama are loud and clear in pursuing the pro-active path more earnestly.

Mr Zardari is not willing to concede to the almost universal demand in Pakistan to hold a special session of the Parliament to debate at length the question of American operations in Pakistan. Shrewdly enough, he is inclined to arrange a closed-door briefing of the Parliament. A mere briefing with some questions and answers is no substitute for a full dress debate in a joint session of the Senate and National Assembly. With all his enthusiasm about democracy, Zardari would not like chosen representatives of the people to express their opinion and arrive at an agreed policy. He appears to be apprehensive about the open questioning of the policy being followed and the agreements and understanding reached during Musharraf's time.