Pakistan’s May 11 elections are looming large, just days away, and the front-running opposition parties are emphasizing foreign policy down the home stretch, with a particular eye US relations and the war on terror.
A high profile speech yesterday from Pakistani Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan promised that if elected he would withdraw Pakistan from the terror war, and order the military to shoot down US drones if they violate Pakistani airspace. Today, Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif sought to stake out a similar position, vowing to “reconsider” traditional US ties.
It isn’t hard to see why this is. Polls have for years been showing soaring anti-US sentiment in Pakistan, with the drone war in the tribal areas and the instability sparked by the 2001 occupation of neighboring Afghanistan fueling anger. While the ruling Pakistani Peoples Party (PPP) has given lip-service to opposing the drone strikes, they’ve done essentially nothing to stop them, and have gotten a reputation for being “America’s choice” in the next election, and extremely dangerous place to be given current sentiment.
Though the polls are all over the place in predicting the vote, the smart money is on voters rejecting the status quo, and the Obama Administration is likely to be facing a new reality in their relationship with Pakistan, one where unilateral US attacks will no longer fly the way they have for years.
Ok Mr khan lets see what happen when the C.I.A start dangling those dollar bills in front of your face if you still will be singing that same song.
No everyone depends on America's bribes. Imran has done very well through cricket.
The US began this by threatening Pakistan, in terms that swayed its military dictator. The US then played a major role in electing a puppet, a totally corrupt and discredited puppet. It is amazing it got this far.
If the US keeps to form, it will resume threats. That is not likely to work as well with someone who was actually elected and who actually needs to consider domestic opinion in order to govern.
One can only pray that PML-N will honour their committment to STOP THE DRONES.