Who’s Lying on Pakistan’s Drones?

The Shamsi airbase that is tucked away in remote Balochistan is located at a distance of 50 km from the Afghan border. Little known outside military circles, it is now commanding front page news due to the latest controversy surrounding US-led Predator attacks in Pakistan.

This has resulted in a new twist in the debate about drone attacks, throwing the Pakistan government into disarray with many a strong denial being issued. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Chairwoman of the US National Intelligence Committee, revealed that the attacks were originating from within Pakistan.

Despite denials by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, who questioned the basis of Senator Feinstein’s statement, the overwhelming response from varied quarters is of disbelief of the refutations issued by the government side. It has managed to shatter the perception the government has created about its helplessness and sense of outrage in its heated diplomatic protests at the continued drone attacks. If one is to believe Senator Feinstein’s statement, the attacks are being conducted from inside Pakistan, with the understanding of the government.

Either way, the political leadership’s ignorance of the issue or their deliberate attempts at having misled the public in order not to lose political ground, is questionable and needs clarification. Especially when it relates to the national security issues.

The disclosure was first made by the British newspaper, The Times, which revealed that a fuel consignment worth millions was transferred to Shamsi airbase from an oil refinery in Karachi, and it was allegedly used for Predator aircraft that are operated by the CIA. To follow it up, a leading Pakistan newspaper published satellite images of the predator aircraft at the Shamsi airbase that were taken from Google Earth. A Pakistan Army spokesperson is reported to have confirmed the use of this particular base by US forces for logistical purposes but declined to comment on the more sensitive issue of the presence of the drone aircraft at the base.

The drone attacks that started in President Pervez Musharraf’s regime, and were believed to be conducted by the US from across the border in Afghanistan, have continued to date with increased frequency from 2008. Initially conducted in North and South Waziristan, the two most restive of the seven tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan, the strategic ambit of the predator attacks now also include Kurram Agency, with the latest attack taking place there last week. These strikes are intended to target high-level Al Qaeda and Taleban operatives, and are assessed by top US military commanders as essential in the war against terror. They have also resulted in hundreds of civilians being killed, thus generating widespread reaction among the population.

In light of the recent revelations, it is time for the Pakistan government to take appropriate measures to take its people into confidence, as well as review its own objectives and interests in its strategic partnership with the US.