The recent Nato bombing in Mohmand Agency is an act of unprovoked aggression and sheer violation of our sovereignty. The incident was followed by a disappointing statement by our defence minister that Pakistan had no technology to spot American planes at a height of more than 40,000 feet. This statement seems factually incorrect since Pakistan has a number of hi-tech missiles to down a plane at any height, given the government is willing to fight and resist aggression. Ever since President Musharraf decided to become an ally in the war against terrorism, the US frequently violates our air space and does not bother if civilian lives are lost in the process.
A befitting response of the government should have been to order the army to resist the American troops instead of lodging a verbal protest to the American government through the Foreign Office. In the coming days, the government will have to prove that democracy is not hostage to American wishes in Pakistan, otherwise it will stand discredited and the people will turn against their own government.