By Dr Ikhlaq Hassain
Pakistan is located on the world map amidst three great continents, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia. It is surrounding by three big powers, China, India and Russia and located at a crossing amongst important countries like Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian states. Interestingly the doors of all these countries open into the backyard of Pakistan.
Pakistan's geo-political location is strategically unique and extremely valuable. Six wars have so far been fought from and over the soil of Pakistan and the present continuing War on terror is not yet over.
In addition, Pakistan has always been an important and attractive necessity for global-powers, target of international conspiracies and persistent battle field for regional and global-powers.
History reveals that the rulers of Soviet-Union in the past had a long dream of an access to warm-water oceans for which the shortest route was through Afghanistan, Balochistan and right into the Indian ocean. However this aim could not be achieved due to British global colonial Umpire and their sole supremacy over the ocean. Following the end of British rule over India and independence of India and Pakistan, the objective of gaining an access to the Indian-ocean could be achieved by diplomacy with the concerned Government of Afghanistan and Pakistan, instead the nuclear power Soviet-Union made a historical blunder and chose to use force and thus invaded Afghanistan. In reply to this. US, Afghanistan and Pakistan all-together joined hands, defeated Soviet-Union and forced its disintegration.
Pak-China relations have always been excellent and time tested.
Chinese too had a desire for an access to warm-water Ocean through Pakistan. Unlike Soviet-Union, Chinese Government adopted diplomatic channels for the same purpose and with persuasion of Pakistan Government developed most difficult and valuable project of "SHRAH-E-RESHAM" and the deep sea port of :Gawadar" and at the same time the road and rail links are in progress. In this way China's long-term trade economy, energy requirements and above all its future geo-political gains like its presence in the Indian Ocean and at the exit of Persian Gulf which are understandable concerns for regional and Global-Power.
The Indian political pundits know very well that the key to India's progress and prosperity lies in Pakistan. They are hungry to boost their trade, fulfil their energy requirements to and from Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asian energy rich states and China through Pakistan but this cannot be achieved without resolving the major issues between Pakistan and India.
Relating to the events in Afghanistan "War on Terror" still continues, the economically exhausted and militarily defeated US Nato force are preparing to "QUIT" Afghanistan and thus like in the past, leaving behind the burning battle field for their most favourite old allies Pakistan and Afghanistan alone to face terrorism as well as the past-war consequences.
Finally about Pakistan economically near bankruptcy, destroyed by terrorism and politically a failed-State, there is chaos, disappointment and sense of instability amongst the people. Our politicians are criminally negligent about the political turmoil in the country, worsening conditions at its borders and horrible developments in Middle East where beginning of Third World War is imminent.
It looks as if, our politicians have gone bankrupt politically and are busy in fighting with each other their personal political feuds and rivalries.
Had there ever been a shrewd type of national leader of the people of Pakistan, possessing deep-vision and farsightedness he would have exploited the valuable location of Pakistan, extracted its real price and benefits and converted this country into an international "TRADE HUB" and "energy-corridor".
Today the entire nation sick of their professional politicians and old colonial electoral, political, judicial and administrative systems, is looking forward to revolutionary changes in the country and determined to get-rid of the corrupt politicians.
