‘Pakistan’s domestic security weakened’
WASHINGTON, May 15: Pakistan’s domestic security and political stability appears to have weakened in 2005, particularly in Balochistan where the government faces an increasingly restive armed uprising, says the latest congressional report on Pakistan.
The Congressional Research Service, which prepares this report for US lawmakers, notes that: “Beginning in January and continuing to the present day, well-armed tribesmen in the sparsely populated, but resource-rich Balochistan province have caused serious disruptions by targeting power, transportation, and communication lines, and engaging in sporadic battles with government forces there.”
In March conflict caused thousands of civilians to flee their homes and, on March 19, at least 40 people were killed and scores injured when a bomb exploded at a religious shrine in a remote area of Balochistan, the report adds.
Despite these developments, the US remains committed to Pakistan and on March 16, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, where she told the Pakistani people that “the United States will be a friend for life,” the report points out.
Nine days later, the Bush Administration announced that the United States would resume sales of F-16 fighters to Pakistan after a 16-year hiatus, the report adds. According to the CRS, justifications for the decision —- which came in tandem with suggestions that India may also purchase advanced US-built warplanes and other major weapons systems —- include a US interest that Pakistan “feel secure” and a perception that a substantive US defence relationship with both Pakistan and India will stabilize “the balance” between them.
The report also notes that vocal critics of the move include the Indian and Russian governments, as well as numerous US and Pakistan-based analysts who contend that it may strengthen non-democratic forces in Islamabad and or fuel an arms race in the region.
Two days before the decision was announced, 20 members of the House sent a letter to President Bush urging him to not license the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan as such a sale would “undermine our long-term strategic interests in South Asia” and “squander an opportunity” to continue building positive relations with India.
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