03-09-2008, 05:35 AM
[center] <!--emo&:flush--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Flush.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='Flush.gif' /><!--endemo--><b><span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Outlandish</span></b> <!--emo&:flush--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Flush.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='Flush.gif' /><!--endemo-->[/center]
<b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Of many misfortunes that have fallen on Pakistan during the last eight years, the worst is the loss of dignity of individual and humiliation of the nation, through loss of sovereignty. Musharraf's policy of appeasement to the foreign powers has escalated this process to the point that Pakistanis abroad are an object of suspicion and in their own land are denied basic human needs. There has been a constant erosion of their self-respect at every level. The manner in which Pakistanis seeking visa from the US and EU embassies are treated is a sad spectacle. In the name of security, the applicant regardless of his status is subjected to inquisition by the embassy officials. Like criminals, they are fingerprinted, profiled and intrusive questions regarding their family and antecedents border on insults. Even basic courtesies are denied by the visa officers and in many instances turned down without assigning any reason.</span></b>
There have been some deplorable examples in the recent past. Denial of visa to former chief of staff by the US embassy and the shameful treatment of the son and brother of former prime minister by immigration officials in London, illustrate this unfortunate attitude. The instances are legion. Shahbaz Sharif appeared the other day personally for finger printing at the US visa office in total disregard of his position as the president of the most popular political party: and soon to be chief minister of Punjab.
The silence on the part of our authorities is criminal. The fundamental principle of bilateral relations is reciprocity. Why can't our embassies notify that their nationals wishing to visit Pakistan would be similarly treated? A line should be the drawn in terms of conduct by the foreign missions in Pakistan, and sternly advised not to cross it.
Our political leaders and those in power share equal blame for such a sorry state of affairs. On sensitive political issues diplomats are approached by senior leaders, complaints filed with them seeking support on matters of purely domestic competence. No wonder, these diplomats behave like viceroy and treat Pakistan as a dominion state. They have been encouraged to brazenly interfere in our internal affairs. Micro-management of the political set-up in Pakistan is indulged in and gratuitous advice rendered on critical issues like the formation of government. The foreign office quietly accepts this unacceptable behaviour in total violation of Vienna Convention on diplomatic practices and protocol. The reports keep coming in of the contacts between the envoys and the political leaders. The prime minister-in-waiting and others of similar stature call on the ambassador at their residence not only demeaning their person but also a slur and slight on national honour and dignity.
The rot does not stop here. State interests and official secrets are played around to gain the favour of a particular country. Protocol and prudence are thrown to the winds. A lowly placed official visiting Pakistan does not settle for a meeting with any person other then the president of the republic; who too contrary to all precedents and protocol lowers himself to the level of the visitor and grants audience. The political leaders aspiring to power or to settle a score with political rival indulge in most irresponsible statements and disclosures which directly impact on national interests and image. Both President Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto threw caution to the wind and made disclosures, which were not only a grave violation of the oath of secrecy, but also hurt the national interests grievously. The details of A Q Khan's misadventures reported in the book titled In The Line Of Fire and BB's revelations in the revised edition of her biography about the reckless behaviour by two former army chiefs are a standing evidence of Pakistani leaders irrational behaviour, fuelling the Western concerns about the irresponsible and emotional make up of Pakistani leaders.
ISI has also been accused of similar bizarre aggressive and outlandish schemes. She has plainly held ISI as the patron of Osama bin Laden and other international terrorists, and carried away to find "some degree of causality that most major terrorist attacks took place when the extremists did not have to deal with a democratic Pakistani government."
Such declarations and disclosures could deeply harm states interests and the image has not entered the calculations of anyone. Nor the law of the land applied on the delinquents. The practice continues. The world is already weary of Pakistan as a 'nursery' and 'sanctuary' of terrorists. Imagine the consequences of these revelations on a frightened Europe and traumatised America. Little wonder, today an average Pakistani is looked upon abroad with apprehension, as a potential terrorist. Enough damage has been done to Pakistan by such attitude. It is time to arrest this trend effectively. The new government must learn from the past mistakes and put foreign envoys and others in their place, cautioning them against crossing the line and adhere to international norms.
<i>The writer is a former ambassador</i>
Cheers <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->