Unending attacks

TWO attacks by US drones have taken place in tribal areas since the unanimous October 22 resolution by Parliament asserting that the nation stands united against any "incursions and invasions" of the homeland, and calling upon the government to deal with these effectively. That the latest attack should come within hours of Prime Minister Gilani's condemnation of such incursions indicates the US cares little for protests from Parliament or the government. The attacks are a display of desperation by the Bush Administration, which wants to kill or capture, whatever it takes, any high-profile figure from the Al-Qaeda's top leadership in the hope that it might enable it to win the Presidential race. The US has stepped up attacks on Pakistan's territory since the present government came to power, the latest being the 12th attack in 10 weeks. As the PM put it, the attacks are harming the government's effort to isolate extremists and mobilize people against militancy. What is more, they are providing strength to the militants' argument that, on account of hubris rising out of military power, the US impervious to protests and arguments and the only way out is to defeat it in a prolonged unconventional war. President Zardari has said he has zero tolerance for attacks on the country' sovereignty. Mr Gilani has warned that the attacks would not be tolerated and the government would take all possible measures to stop them. He has also raised the matter in the recent ASEM summit. A military spokesman has clarified that actions of the sort are liable to be considered hostile acts. All these pronouncements have however produced little effects. Inaction on the part of the government has led critics to accuse it of conniving with the US. It has been challenged to take action to prove that it is really opposed to the attacks.