Pakistan’s strategic interests
Debate has been raging since 1950s whether Pakistan should have joined defence pacts with the West – Seato, Cento and bilateral agreement with the US. After Soviet forces landed in Afghanistan, what they said on the invitation of Afghan government, Pakistan jumped into the fray and joined the Afghan jihad, which many believe resulted in bringing Pakistan to the present pass. The question also arises as to why Pakistan leadership buckled under pressure when America threatened to consign Pakistan into stone-age. In hindsight, one could say that all those decisions were big blunders, as Pakistan could not achieve any of its objectives vis-à-vis integrity of the country, resolution of Kashmir dispute and a sound industrial base. It is true that at the time of independence, Pakistan had meager resources, not enough to build a strong defence force. But had the then leadership and bureaucracy used their cerebral faculties, they would have succeeded in making Pakistan self-reliant. In fact, Pa...