The leaked military document makes the following salient points:
- Nearly 40% of its 500,000-strong army is being deployed.
- Pakistan’s maintenance expenditure per soldier per annum is $6,000, one of the lowest in the world.
- “Our argument is not to seek military aid but to improve our economy so we can sustain our war against terrorism.”
- The document claims that since 2007, about 270 suicide attacks have taken place, leaving more than 11,000 dead or wounded, and that overall, Pakistan has suffered more than 40,000 casualties in the war.
- The ISI remains “a subject of worst criticism”, but points out that three of its five regional headquarters have been targeted by suicide bombers.
- “With very limited resources,their (ISI’s) contribution to the war on terror can be counted as among the best.”
- “Pakistan is prepared to help, However, the extent of this help should be correctly appreciated. We can facilitate but not guarantee. Ultimately it will remain Afghan responsibility.”
Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army and Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, Commander of NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan lead participants towards the conference area to meet for the 29th Tripartite Commission meeting. The Tripartite Commission, comprised of senior military and diplomatic representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. David E. Alvarado. (RELEASED) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
To get its perspective across, the Pakistani government released a half-page ad in The Wall Street Journal on September 11, 2011, claiming: “A nation of 180 million has been fighting for the future of world’s 7 billion.”
The New Yorker has published a secret paper that was given by General Kayani to President Obama in April. “Ten Years Since 9/11” seems to be essentially a “speaking the truth” exercise, highlighting Pakistan‘s commitment to lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the massive sacrifices the country has made in pursuance of that cause.
The paper says:
“How should success be measured?” It offers four criteria:
Are policy options opening or getting restricted?…Are we gaining or losing the public support[?]…Is the military strategy creating necessary conditions to help political strategy (military strategy is not an end in itself)…Are the constraints of time and resources being met?
New Yorker Hotel building from below (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2012/03/classified-document-our-collective-experience.html
