Pakistan's sacrifices in war on terror deserve respect
0 
The US needs to assess objectively and fairly Pakistan's contributions and sacrifice in anti-terrorism.
During the decade-long anti-terrorism campaign, Pakistan has killed and arrested more than 400 Al Qaeda affiliates, including Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, suspected of being the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, and has lost more than 3,000 police to terrorists.
According to statistics released by the Pakistani government, the direct and indirect economic losses in the recent 10 years from anti-terrorism total $100 billion, far more than the $20 billion economic aid given by the US during the same period.
Pakistan has paid a heavy social and political price for its involvement in the war on terrorism.
Society is in disorder, the security situation is deteriorating and many people have lost their homes.
Take the use of US drones in 2004 in Pakistan. More than 1,000 terrorists were killed in the bombing but an overwhelming number of Pakistan civilians were also slain.
After the death of Bin Laden, US political and academic circles initiated public discussions on Pakistan's role in anti-terrorism and started to consider adjusting strategies toward the nation. Unilateral operations and targeted eliminations against terrorism seem to be popular in the US.
However, this could result in inconceivable consequences if the US keeps resorting to such methods in anti-terrorism operations while ignoring international principles of other nations' sovereignty.
This July, the US will begin to gradually reduce its army in Afghanistan. The death of Bin Laden and the current strategic successes will accelerate the US retrenchment strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, Pakistan is still able to play a vital part in regional security and global anti-terrorism.
The US should assist Pakistan in stabilizing its society and reviving its economy while respecting the nation's sovereignty.
Utterly uprooting terrorists and extremists in the region is the duty of a global power.
The author is director of the Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
Go to Forum >>0 Comments