On the course of retributions
In this May 2007 photo Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, executive director of the Kashmiri American Council addresses a news conference in Muzaffarabad, Kashmir. – AP Photo
The arrest of Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, and arrest warrant of a Pakistani national, Zaheer Ahmad, may appear as isolated legal actions of the US government against its citizens for unauthorised lobbying for Pakistan. However, scratch below the surface and it becomes clear that this is just the beginning of the US retribution against Pakistani actions.
The matter has been brewing and coming to the boiling point since Raymond Davis’ arrest and then jailing of those who helped the US in nabbing Osama bin Laden. In recent days, the US media has been reporting that the US is pressuring Pakistan for the releasing of Dr Shakil Afridi who was reported to be arrested for undertaking a fake vaccination campaign to get blood samples of bin Laden’s kids for DNA match.
Every Washington circle that had anything to do with Pak-American-Kashmir affairs was well aware of Dr Fai’s activities in the community, think tanks and on lobbying with Congress and Senate members. Most activists among the Pakistani-American community have been speculating about Dr Fai’s connection with Pakistani government and/or Inter Services Agency (ISI). Therefore, the allegation of having received about four million dollars from Pakistan and making over four thousand phone calls to his alleged handlers from ISI will not be totally perceived as concocted charges even among Pakistani expatriates. Pakistan embassy’s claim that Dr Fai is not a Pakistani citizen—he came from India and sought amnesty in the US—is not going to lessen the impact of such a damaging development.
Dr Fai’s activities on the Capital Hill and his arrangements of large and expensive conferences involving key people from Pakistan and India were quite open. It can be safely assumed that he was giving heart burns to Indian diplomats and lobbyists and they must have been pressurising the US government to rein him in. However, the US had chosen to look the other way for a decade and never bothered with his activities. But, now the parameters have changed. Probably because the US wants to send the message that it has some options to retaliate in Pakistani style as well.
It is well known that Pakistan has its own human intelligence assets in the US. Of course such assets must be a fraction of what a sole world superpower, the US, would have in Pakistan. The US financial power to buy human assets in Pakistan, Europe and from the rest of the world cannot be matched by a poor developing country. Nonetheless, the party with meager resources gets hurt more when mutual retributions occur.
Before Dr Fai’s arrest Washington’s diplomatic circles were subtly pointing out for such retribution. According to very reliable sources, the US side was arguing with Pakistani diplomats that millions of Pakistani-Americans live in America—some of them are Green Card Holders and technically, Pakistani nationals—and the US issues hundreds of thousands of student, visiting, business and work visas to Pakistanis while Pakistan is raising questions about a few hundred visas.
A thinly veiled threat is that if Pakistan continues restricting movements of its diplomats and citizens, the US can do the same putting Pakistani diplomats’ work in jeopardy and creating problems for visitors. Technically, the US can cancel Green Cards on very flimsy grounds, through finding any trivial fault with application process, and send thousands of Pakistanis back home. It is not very likely to happen but if things get too far it is not out of question either.
If the US expands the scope of retributions the diplomatic make-up of staff at Pakistani embassy may change as well. Pakistan may not be able to appoint ranking officials from intelligence agencies as ‘head of community affairs’ or under other such covers. The set of military mission in the embassy may be realigned as well. Most of all, the US agencies, particularly tax authorities, can be used to scare prosperous Pakistanis, mostly physicians, who hold fund raisers for the US lawmakers and arrange their meeting with Pakistani diplomats and incoming Pakistani officials. Such moves will certainly hamper little efforts Pakistani-Americans make to provide bridge between the two countries.
If the negative perception of Pakistan further deepens, the US may not be able to use drones in Pak-Afghan border areas but it will hit Pakistan’s financial system with stealth bombers. Besides stopping the financial aid, the US can harm Pakistan’s foreign currency earnings by creating difficulties for transmitting the remittances of Pakistani expatriates. Presently, Pakistani expatriates contribute a significant portion of foreign remittances of Pakistan. Furthermore, it can issue guidance to donor agencies, European partners and other private financial institution to hold back on financial transfers to Pakistan.
A sketch of broad possible scenarios of US retribution–been started with Dr Fai’s arrest–is not to scare the new found patriotism in Islamabad. Patriotic feelings are very noble, worthy and respectable but one should know the cost as well. Before throwing stones at others while sitting in the glass houses, one should have thick tall walls to protect oneself. Are Islamabad and GHQ ready to build such walls if the US process of retributions expands? Does not seem like it.
Dr Manzur Ejaz is a poet, author, a political commentator and a cultural activist. He is a Doctor of Economics and currently lives in Washington DC.
Every Pakistani talks about United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Kashmir. Then why is our media so scared of publishing those UNSC resolutions????
It is quite open now the nexus between USA and India. While Pakistan has every rightful claim over Kashimr and other territories in India, USA is playing the game of India and things are quite clear to Pakistanis now. Pakistan has full sympathies to Dr. Nabi and foreign office should do everything to get him released.
It is high time US puts an end to Pakistani double games. Either clean up your act or face the consequences just like everybody else, including US, has to face.
Pakistani establishment's obsession with the issues other than the welfare of its citizens has cost the country dearly, be it East Pakistan, Kargil, Terrorism, Afghanistan or for long time now KASHMIR.
One wonder when shall they focus on the problems within. Championing the cause of others (Kashmiris)at the cost of borrowed capital & grants is suicidal.
How many wake up calls are required to get the leadership out of illusions.
Great article and an eye opener for Pakistanis. They have to stop all illegal activities in the US and follow their laws. If Pakistan does not want to give visa to even a few hundred Americans then the Americans should also issue the same number of visa to Pakistanis. That would bring the relationship on equal terms.
Regarding green card holders, they are Pakistani citizens and they can be sent back anytime, especially if they do not have jobs, are on public welfare, or committed any crime. It is about time that Pakistan should eat a humble pie.
Very poor concept. A nation if it wannts to keep its head high and be respected needs to give sacrifices financially and otherwise. Most of the pakistanis do not want to give up their comforts and face the reality. They prefer begging to self esteem. They shall notice Iran how they are quizzed by Americans but do not give up. It is shame for Pakistan. As I have Observed thay do not have nationalism in their blood. They are separated based on their linguistic demarcations.They are Punjabis, Sindhis, Mohajirs and what not but not Pakistanis.Mr jinah had created Pakistan with a vision and goal but its leaders and people have forgotten that and very soon will see the adverse effects. There is still time to mend their ways and earn self respect and esteem Do not delay otherwise it will be very late
US did not single out persons of Pakistani origin, citizens or green card holders, even after so many of terrorists were captured in Pakistan. It has been 10 year after 9/11 and Pakistanis in the US have enjoyed normal privileges. They send four Billion dollars annually to Pakistan which is a substantial chunk of foreign exchange. Pakistan needs to be sensitive and diplomatic to US interests. It can not afford to be otherwise. It can, potentially, hurt itself beyond measure trying to dare a superpower unnecessarily. US is not perfect; it can make mistakes but often it can correct them too.
THE PAKIS ARE COMING! THE PAKIS ARE COMING!
Washington is abuzz with the headline news that the FBI is accosting two Pakistanis who allegedly have been trying to win influence and influence policy makers to their country's advantage. They supposed are in the employ of the ISI. Politicos and commentators are waxing indignant at this affront to American sovereignty and the effrontery in aiming to corrupt elected office holders through campaign contributions. A highlight of these revelations is that one of these agents, a Mr. Fai, contributed $250 to the Gore and Obama campaigns – each. In total, they supposedly spent $4 million on lobbying as well as campaign contributions since the mid-1990s. That amounts to roughly $275,000 per year.
It is no coincidence that the announcement was made with great fanfare at a moment of extreme tensions between Washington and Islamabad. The Obama administration is pulling out all stops in an implacable campaign to break the resistance of Pakistani leaders to its call for an escalated campaign against the Taliban. Condemnation of political lobbying suggests a double standard. Many foreign governments lobby Washington as several levels. True, their paid lobbyists are legally required the declare themselves as working for another country. However, there are various ways to circumvent the law to establish a political and public relations presence in the capital and nationwide.
This aggrieved reaction is noteworthy for what it says about the presumed naivete of American officials are susceptible to being diverted from the path of righteousness by the diabolical scheming of foreigners. Equally worth noting is the failure to draw any comparison with American interference in the domestic political affairs of other countries. In Iraq, the United States has provided financial and technical assistance to their favorite Mr. Alawi in three successive presidential campaigns. American diplomats participated directly in the bargaining that eventually produced the current coalition government (albeit that in the end it was Tehran that shaped the outcome). In Afghanistan, they backed Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in his bid to unseat Hamid Karzai. In Pakistan, Washington insists on running its own large network of intelligence operatives without government sanction. In addition, it meddled in partisan politics by orchestrating the return of Benazir Bhutto while leaning on the government of General Musharraf to force back into exile her chief rival Mr. Sharif – who happens to be less sympathetic toward the United States. Their objective of a shotgun wedding between Musharraf and Bhutto wasn't realized – but not for lack of trying.
If Americans are oblivious to these contradictions, they are glaring in the eyes of Iraqis, Afghans and Pakistanis.
Isn't there something in Scripture about refraining from throwing stones unless you be free of having committed the same offense?
Most of the problems faced by Pakistan and fellow Pakistanis are because of policies of ISI. The problems we face today with US is also because of failure of ISI. It is High time that this organisation is controlled,
I side with the author. Pakistan people and the govt. need to focus on nation building rather making new enemies.Modern world valuate a country looking at the size of their economy. it is high time for PAK to bring new financial reforms. It is always sad to see our neighbor fails. it is a fact that war on the economy is more vulnerable than conventional war. i don't thing PAK can survive such a condition, so better start never it's late
Let the truth be prevailed, USA legal system is one of the most trust worthy system in the world. If Mr.Faiz has nothing to hide he will be free in no time. If he is culprit believe me, he will be far better in prison in states then in any other jail of Asian country. One cannot dodge the law for ever, one day the truth will come out. So this is his chance to come out clean.
We would be glad to welcome our fellow 'trained' Pakistani physicians, surgeons, doctors, laborers and administrators back to our homeland.
I think the writer, and most readers, missed the point entirely. The charges against Dr. Fai is NOT that he is a spy, or that he represented the Pakistani ISI view, the charges are that he a) DID not register as a lobbyist – you cannot lobby without leting people know that you are, b) that he dispensed money from a foreign government (the ISI) without registering as a lobbyist and letting people know he was representing a foreign government (which is not illegal, as long as you declare it).
Thus, Fai had been lying about his funding – by not declaring sources and not declaring his intentions and spending of such money. Even American citizens (several lobbyists) get into trouble for this are are often prosecuted.
I am sad how ignorant the writer seems to be, as he should have known better. His other opinions / contentions of disputes between the US and Pakistan seem fair game for criticism, and I will not address that.