The PPP government celebrates the passing of the “Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act” by the USA Congress which would provide an estimated $1.5 billion per year in financial assistance to Pakistan for the next 5 years. The conditions that have been set for the provision of this assistance are, to say the least, humiliating for any patriotic Pakistani.

The conditions associated with this bill constitute most text of the text this bill contains which I took the time to read through in detail.

Let me highlight only a few of the absolutely disappointing clauses that are included as “conditions” for this aid:

to ensure access of United States investigators to individuals suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials, as necessary, and restrict such individuals from travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation;

This is a clear indication that the PPP led government is ready to risk a National Security issue of such importance for a small amount of money. By accepting this assistance, the government intends to agree to give the United States access to nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, which is absolutely NOT acceptable to the people of Pakistan.

and

to ensure transparency and provide of and provide effective accountability for all United States assistance and reimbursements provided to Pakistan; [Section 4, Clause 4-G]

We will be made answerable to where this amount is being spent to the government’s US masters.

And I would go to the extent of CONDEMNING the inclusion of the following clause in the said bill:

to help Pakistan meet its commitment to not support any person or group that conducts violence, sabotage, or other activities meant to instill fear or terror in Pakistan’s neighboring countries;

The bill had, in its initital draft, explicitly named India and Afghanistan. The names of the two countries have been removed and replaced with the phrase “neighbouring countries” instead. To make, it makes no difference.

The inclusion of this clause, to me, is a direct accusation on our country and an indirect implication of Pakistan in terrorist actvities that have been taking place in neighbouring countries. This has to be protested through diplomatic channels and taken up at the highest level.

The government may be, but the Pakistani people are no fools to accept the way words have been played with in this case.

This bill is an absolute insult to the freedom and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is humiliating and degradatory. And painfully, it is being shamelessly welcomed in the corridors of power in Islamabad.

I am not against the financial assiatnce. I am concerned, bothered and deeply hurt at how cheap our nationalist spirit has been sold yet again. $1.5 billion per year is peanuts to an economy such as ours. We need to stand on our own. We need to shun our dependence on others.

I wonder how long this nation will wait.I wonder where the champions of  “civil soceity” are.

I wonder how long will we ride the bubble of an apparently free “Supreme court” while the entire judicial system rots to its core.

I wonder how long this country will be subjugated to ruthless plundering of the national exchequer.

I wonder how long it will take for our people to rise.

[ PEACE_Act_2009 - H.R. 1886 (US CONGRESS) Here's a copy of the Bill for you to read ]