The realization that we are considered as the most dangerous place in the world is hitting an average Pakistani who would never have thought or considered this as a reality.

So the reality is there, and we are paying its price every day. Our economy, the security situation, the political environment the lawlessness and a complete chaos has become an everyday affair and we seem to be lost in it and are posing more questions than finding the answers or solutions.

Though the address of the Obama speech was geared to American public but the ultimate effete are people where this war is going on. Who knows it better than the one who has been hit by it. By and large his foreign policy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan is an extension of Bush Administrations policy with a little band aid here and there.

Some of the Salient Features of the Speech

He started his speech by giving justification to American public that why America has to develop this policy, the salient features were as Al-Qaida have made safe heavens in Pakistan and Afghanistan and America and the rest of the world is at threat from them. Therefore America is playing its role to safe guard its people from any future threats.

His speech was simplistic, but firm. It talked about compensations to be given to general public in Pakistan and Afghanistan but also mentioned the real work for the Pakistan and Afghanistan governments. His commitment to combat the extremism and expectations from Pakistani side (government, army, and intelligence agencies) was clearly spelled out. He also talked about his reservations with some of the Pakistani intelligence linked with the Taliban’s etc.

His speech emphasized and addressed the concerns and issues of Pakistan and its people as well and said Al-Qaida was not only the enemy of America but also Pakistani people. Therefore Pakistan will also be provided with economic relief and will also equip Pakistani army with better trainings. Therefore joint efforts are needed from both ends.

Blank Cheque had Different Reactions

His words not giving the “Blank Cheque” got different reactions from different quarters, in Pakistan. It was very embarrassing, and was a slap on the face of the government and the concerned authorities who in the past has filled up their treasures whereas the money should have been spent on public welfare.

As far ordinary citizens are concerned they believe and say that they already paid a heavy price for this war on terrorism where they have given up their lives as well, which is much more than the financial support. People welcomed Obama’s statement that extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone and also welcomed his support of 1.5 billion US Dollars for infrastructure or development. The public doubts the intention of American and Pakistani government. Therefore a real scrutiny is required and real accountability is needed for the distribution of the above mentioned amount to the people who needs it. On the other hand people still remain spectacle as his speech also refers to the deployment of more troops along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border which poses very many serious questions.

Firstly, that it would alert Al-Qaida and its allies and they would make their own strategies to tackle this issue. This means more violence and bloodshed and suicide bombings. Secondly, by having more troops also send a signal to the one million people who have already left their houses in the FATA that more drones would be expected and this raises great danger for more collateral damage and further migration is expected. Since there is so much of collateral damage that the Pakistan Government, and the Army also cannot face the ordinary citizens who are raising their voices against this.

For example, the recent attack on the police academy in Lahore and an open acceptance of Baitullah Masoud by saying that this is due to the drone attacks on Waziristan shows how he can terrorize and use this attack against the drones. So general public is giving up to these militants because of the fear of drone attacks.

The role of the Pakistani army doing operations in Tribal belt is also considered amongst the general public as Americans allies as while fighting the militants causalities take place and the ordinary citizens are also killed. It is unacceptable for the general public and they say that our army is killing our own people.

The Reality and the Trust Deficit among the Citizens
The reality is that the People in the tribal areas and also in other parts do not trust the political leaders in Pakistan, nor have any sympathy with the Pakistani army and have very strong anti- American sentiments. They are also against the American drones and are also equally against the militants. They are sick and tired of the continuous violence and by getting justification from both sides and they do not want to be further victimized.

But the reality is also that our government and we also as nation remain in a state of perpetual denial. We also have to come out of self pity. There has also been continuous denial of our own people by saying that Muslims are not involved in killings in the mosques etc, and also a myth is created that the drone attacks are happening without the permission of Pakistani government, which is not true.

We, our government, the intelligence agencies, and also partly media personnel should get out of this rhetoric of labeling every terrorist attack by saying that a foreign hand is involved. The sooner we realize our internal and domestic issues and take the responsibility the better it would be for us.

As they say actions speaks louder than words, I hope that Obama‘s speech and the Pakistani government will actually translate their words in to actual actions where by ordinary citizens in the region get some relief.