Mulla Nasruddin was once persuaded by his fans to come to the stage to address them. Mulla was reluctant. He was forced willy-nilly to go to the stage. Mulla asked his audience whether they knew what he was going to talk about? With one voice they said No. Mulla got down the stage, saying that it was of no use when they did not know what he was to talk about. The audience brought him round. Mulla asked the same question. They all replied Yes Mulla again went down the stage, saying that he might not talk when they all knew in advance what he was to talk about. The determined audience again made Mulla go up to the stage. The Mulla repeated his question. Some said Yes. Some said No. Mulla again got down, saying those who knew may tell those who did not. Many American hopefuls for next year Presidential elections nomination preferred the idea to start at zero (vis--vis relations with Pakistan) and sometimes stay there. We cannot be indecisive about whether Pakistan is our friend or foe said others. Michael McCane, a four-term congressman and chairman of a House Homeland Security committee has likened Pakistan-US relationship to a bad marriage but ruled out a divorce option in the same breath. He was on the panel of congressmen who recently met President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi to discuss prospects for increasing bilateral trade between the two countries. He said he had told Pakistan government that it was imperative for both allies to let no doubts take roots on the common turf they stand on. Both Pakistan and U.S will have to bring the trust deficit down to zero. It was the same congressmen who after his panel meeting with President Zardari went gleefully to an American news agency to quote the president on record to have said I am going to work with you to eradicate Haqqanis. I know these people very well, they are snakes and I am going to go after all of them, he further quoted the president as saying. McCane said he welcomed the Presidents statement but the real question is how much does this President control the military and the countrys spy service. In fact there are more than one question claiming reality. Firstly this is the version of U.S congressman which was never corroborated or contradicted by the Presidents spokesman. Secondly whether Baluch Sardar remains bound by his words. He was already on record to have had stated that political or diplomatic statements were not binding since they were not tantamount to commandments of the Quran or Sunnah. Thirdly whether President likened Haqqanis as snakes or he had someones else in mind. Equally wavering and backswinging is Hamid Karzai. The reasons are obvious. He is not a free agent. He is President of Afghanistan because of American crutches. All the time he has to pose as President of the country whose eighty percent part is controlled by Taliban, the freedom fighters. Karzai controls Kabul alone in which too Taliban break into frequently at will. Karzai made a statement that Afghan forces will defend Pakistan in case it was attacked by the United States or India. Later he backed out and blamed the media for misreporting. One the sidelines of Saarc Summit Karzai agreed on cooperation between the two countries to ensure peace and stability in the region. At the same time President Karzi adopted a rather aggressive posture at his meeting at the Shangrilla resort in Addu (Maldives) with Pakistan Prime Minister and bombarded the Pakistan delegation with a number of demands laced with accusations. The Afghan President alleged that Pakistan was not doing enough to stop cross-border attacks (meaning Talibans attacks) which he said reflected poorly on his governments performance in the eyes of the world. Probably he underestimated his own way of governance to reflect his image internationally. Karzais views about Pakistans interference or support to the armed resistance groups do not tally with truth. Afghanistan is under occupation of American and allied forces. American, Nato and other international forces numbering lacs of armed personnel are posted at border. The presence of such a huge force failing to stop Taliban attacks, speak volumes about their professional capability ad commitment to the cause. The two day summit of South Asian Association for Regional Peace concluded the other day in Maldives after adoption of 20 point Addu Declaration. The Declaration renewed the pledge to promote peace, liberty, good governance and safeguarding human rights. The Saarc leaders also agreed to jointly fight terrorism. The high sounding joint determination does need implementation. The level of poverty in the region touches the lowest ebb. Economy is in disarray. Norcotics and human smuggling is on the rise. Piracy is of common concern. But the question is how joint efforts would be made to fight terrorism and safeguard human rights. India dubs the Kashmir liberation struggle as terrorism. For Pakistanis Kashmir freedom fighters are their heroes and deserve all sorts of aid and help. Violation of human rights by seven lac Indian occupation armed forces is no less than state terrorism. Until India gives up her intransigence and violation of human rights in the occupied Kashmir, declaration of the Saarc Summit would mean nothing in practical terms. Goody, Goody words were exchanged between Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh at their meeting. Manmohan Singh described Yusuf Raza Gilani as man of peace which touched Gilanis heart cord. Prime Minister Gilani and interior minister Rehman Malik have repeatedly raised an incriminating finger at India for fomenting trouble in Baluchistan and sending RAW trained terrorists to FATA. Yet the man of peace felt so flattered that he allowed Most Favoured Nation (MNF) status to India to make Pakistan 'mandi for Indian products. Gilani invited Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan which he accepted. But on reaching back home, Indian prime minister said he would visit Pakistan only after the latter closes centers for training terrorists. Words are meaningless. Actions are the real index. Those who know may tell those who do not.