Foreign Interference in ELECTIONS 2013

Even if he had no one-on-one meeting with US envoy recently, it does not mean that US had no role in his appointment. In the past, there were reports that he has had meetings with Richard Olson and Consular General Nina Maria. Since elections are only a few weeks away, tremendous increase in diplomatic manoeuvering, social activity and interaction is taking place. Foreign diplomats, especially the UK and the US, are keen to know about seat adjustments and political alliances formed to participate in elections. Such meetings of political leaders with foreign diplomats obviously carry serious implications for the state and repercussions for the people of Pakistan. US officials of political section in Islamabad, US consulate Lahore and Consulate General herself have increased interaction with bigwigs of different political parties.

Though the media is not highlighting such meetings, these meetings are reportedly held at Consul General’s residence, politician’s residences and even at different restaurants of the city. Frequent meetings between Consul General Nina Maria and different politicians have taken place while Political Consular US Consulate and Political Consular US Embassy, Islamabad have been discussing political situation in the country with different political figures. On 23rd February 2013, a delegation from British High Commission Islamabad had visited Lahore and held meetings with Jam’at-i-Islami, PPP and PML-N leaders and Asma Jahangir, Mian Imran Maqsood (PML-Q) and Najam Sethi (Journalist and now caretaker CM Punjab). A high profile delegation headed by US Ambassador Richard Olson and Robert Menandez Chairman Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs visited Lahore twice and met politicians including Mian Nawaz Sharif.

 It is quite normal that ambassadors and officials of consulate general cultivate relations with the government, media and intellectual elite with a view to strengthening ties and creating goodwill in general. But American ambassadors and consular officers have had the reputation of going beyond their mandate.

There is a widespread perception that the CIA is funding some political activists, media men and NGOs with a view to advancing its interests. Many political leaders of Pakistan in the past considered American ambassadors as their ‘family members’, and discussed with them even their personal matters. They wished to remain in the good books of the US ambassador, and of course America, as they believed that they could enter the corridors of power with the blessings and support of the US. In the past, US Consul Generals of Lahore have been actively involved in cultural activities, and have had relations with the intellectual elite and media men.

In February 2012, a national English daily had reported that ‘the US Consul General in Lahore Ms Nina Maria visited residence of senior journalist Najam Sethi. However, it could not be ascertained what issues were discussed in the meeting’. During the second stint of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Najam Sethi had been taken into custody for interrogation by the ISI for his alleged connection with the Indian intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing). According to the report, he was speaking to elite Indian audience in the context of the Kewal Singh Memorial lecture series on the subject of ‘Pakistan and the 21st century’, with Mr Gujral in the chair. In his speech, Najam Sethi said: ‘Pakistan during the past 50 years had suffered a whole range of crises and had become a failed state, and there is no hope of anybody coming and getting Pakistan out of the series of crises’. Najam Sethi was detained and perhaps case registered against him.
However later events reveal that the US had been worried about his arrest and played a role in getting him released.

On 19th May 1999, five months of Nawaz government ouster, Pakistan embassy in the US had responded to IFJ letter regarding the arrest of Najam Sethi stating ‘Mr Sethi was arrested on the specific charge of anti-state activities falling outside the ambit of legitimate journalistic freedom. It is not the first time that Mr Sethi has been arrested. He was arrested in mid-70s and in mid-80s as well for anti-state activities. He will be afforded full opportunity to defend himself in accordance with the law’. Anyhow, Mr Sethi has had excellent relations with Americans. In 1999, a Pakistani delegation was in United States in connection with American aid and to seek IMF support. According to an official from ministry of information, head of American delegation postponed the meeting stating that unless Najam Sethi is released there would be no deliberations. In a question from his anchorperson whether Pakistan would retaliate if there is another 2nd-May like incident, Najam Sethi had replied Pakistan military is no match of US/NATO forces.

On TV talk shows, anchorpersons and panellists ‘relish’ Pakistan-bashing and military-bashing. A few anchorpersons and media men, wittingly or unwittingly, endorse the views and ideas floated by the US and their mouthpieces ‘Washington Post and New York Times’ while others are either running NGOs funded by the US and western countries, or have acquired consultancies from UN organizations. One can observe the ‘pearls of wisdom’ scattered by these palmed off journalists and analysts in English print media and on TV channels. There are a couple of media groups who publish news, stories and articles in their print and electronic media to promote America’s interest in the region. In their editorials, they write what Americans want to read. A couple of local English dailies carry articles written by the authors who accuse Pakistan of duplicity, and blame it for protecting and ensconcing the Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders. They use the very arguments advanced by members of the US administration to denigrate Pakistan, often repeating that Pakistan does not want to act against Haqqani network and others in North Waziristan because Pakistan considers them as its ‘assets’ to be used after Americans leave Afghanistan.

Courtesy: Pakistan Observer