Pakistan is much stronger than many people seem to realize: Sir Nicholas Barrington

 

Former UK envoy to Pakistan dispels doubts about Pakistan

 

“Pakistan has problems, but it is much stronger than many people seem to realise. The people are used to democracy, the rule of law and a free press, and they do not want to live under an extreme Taleban-type regime. A wide range of Pakistanis, including the educated elite have, however, been highly critical of the US and its allies after Iraq and the loss of civilian life in Afghanistan and through drones in the frontier”.

 

Says Sir Nicholas Barrington a former British High commissioner to Pakistan in his letter published in ‘The Times’ on 13.11.2009 which he has written in support of Pakistan by highlighting its strengths with a view to dispel doubts expressed by Paddy Ashdown in his article published in ‘The Times’ on November 5th titled “Afghanistan could be lost in the bars of Britain”.

 

Expressing his views about the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan Paddy Ashdown had argued that the failure or withdrawal (of British forces) would adversely affect Pakistan. Abandoning Afghanistan doubles the chances of a jihadi expansionism.

 

Sir Nicholas Barrington strongly negated this argument. Following is the text of letter published in ‘The Times’ on 13.11.2009.

 

Sir, I have great respect for what I know of Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon’s activity in Afghanistan, but I think it wrong and dangerous to state that if we withdraw from Afghanistan, Pakistan will “fall”.

 

Pakistan has problems, but it is much stronger than many people seem to realise. The people are used to democracy, the rule of law and a free press, and they do not want to live under an extreme Taleban-type regime. A wide range of Pakistanis, including the educated elite have, however, been highly critical of the US and its allies after Iraq, and the loss of civilian life in Afghanistan and through drones in the frontier.

 

Massive foreign bases encourage ideas that the Americans and NATO want to stay in, and dominate, Afghanistan. Many think that the West is motivated by a desire to acquire the natural resources of Iraq, and now Afghanistan. Indian involvement in Afghanistan doesn’t help. The Pakistanis consequently have been slow to recognise the dangers of their own Taleban elements. But the public are now at last backing the army in its attempts to rid the country of violent extremists.

 

In my view NATO leaders should announce that they will withdraw from Afghanistan in, say, three or five years. In the meantime, they hope to have support for economic development. This will focus Afghan minds, and hopefully encourage a coalition of moderate forces. We should also devote more effort and resources to combating extremist propaganda, which has been all too effective.

 

Sir Nicholas Barrington
Former British High Commissioner to Pakistan

 

Last updated: 20-11-2009