Yasir Rehman

We witness an intense debate in Pakistan on statement by Tulsi Gabbard. Most popular opinion being expressed on social media is , “ Pakistan is being framed as next target , after Iran , with denuclearisation being the ultimate goal “. Here is what she precisely said , “ the five countries were “researching and developing an array of novel, advanced or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads, that put our homeland within range”. Important point to note is - she didn’t single out Pakistan, listed it with Russia , China , Iran and North Korea. This is not the first time Pakistan’s missile and nuclear programme has been viewed with concerns by any US official. Since Pressler Amendment in 1985 , far more dangerous , offensive and focused allegations have been levelled on Pakistan’s strategic programme by American presidents , Dy presidents , secretaries of state , directors of CIA and congressmen . There is nothing new to be alarmed. Besides strategic organisations , the private companies having even mundane business relations with pakistan’s strategic organisation have been repeatedly put under crippling sanctions . We have all witnessed the aggressive use of such sanctions in last five decades . The list of such companies is too long . While this all was happening , owing to massively funded sophisticated and relentless propaganda campaigns ; two narratives became popular in Pakistan. First , nothing happens in this country without a nod from Uncle Sam . Second , many political and military leaders were framed as compromised on nuclear programme . Had there been any truth in these narratives , Pakistan could not have developed such advanced and robust nuclear and missile capabilities . The fact is , every leader in last five decades has considered strategic programme as matter of survival for the motherland and did handle the US led western pressure resolutely and smartly . We ought to be proud of them all . At this geopolitical infliction point , we must resist comparing Pakistan with the fate of nuclear programmes of Syria , Iraq , Libya and Iran . They were all barely at start point , we are an established and recognised nuclear power . No established nuclear power with diverse delivery systems has been denuclearised, ever and no power on earth can do so against Pakistan . We must have trust in our strategic community and resolve of the people . Coming back to what Tulsi said , compared to past such statements what she said is insignificant, hence, we can conveniently brush it aside . In such complex geo-strategic issues there is never a need to publicly respond to every statement. If at all we have to say something , we should first wait for responses from Russia , China and North Korea . Compared to these countries , we currently have a better trajectory of bilateral relations with US . True , recent thaw could be transitory and Mr Trump is unpredictable as well as unreliable but what is the emergency ? Those who are charged with the sacred responsibility of defending various dimensions of Pakistan’s strategic programme will deliberate on each word of her statement . They will establish the need for a response , if required . Let us all trust them . Long live Pakistan .

All 14 arrested in the Varanasi boat Iftar case have been sent to 14 days judicial custody.