To President Barack Obama, A New Strategy for Pakistan

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:23:16 EST

Dear Respected President Obama:

This letter is addressed to you specifically in regards to the respect you hold in the International community. You are our hope for a better world and a more respected America. You know Pakistan better than the other Presidential candidates. But most importantly, you are willing to listen to people, even when they may have a difference of opinion. The Islamabad Marriott Bombing is a reminder to us why Pakistan's role is very important in the War on Terror.

The difference between your team and John McCain's team is the fact that you and Senator Joe Biden know Pakistan very well. But you are an exception because you know Pakistan, not only as a politician, but as a person. There can be no strong Afghanistan, without a strong Pakistan. You know that any policy in regards to Pakistan, without a committee with a Pakistani American or a Pakistan Scholar included would not be a well advised committee. This letter is addressed to you specifically, because America's respect globally, means a lot to you and the administration you choose to lead.

Pakistan has won the war against dictatorship, but the war for democracy continues. Incursions in to Pakistan by American forces lead to bombings in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Lahore and even the "Green Zone" of Islamabad. The best strategy America can follow and must follow is the strategy of working with the Pakistan Administration and empowering the Pakistani Masses. No one will do anything for another, unless their own interests are involved in most cases, the rest are an inspirational exception.

Please listen to Joe Biden and support the Biden-Lugar Plan for Pakistan. We need to strengthen Pakistan, not weaken it. But the incursions in to Pakistan without the consent of Pakistan are against America's own interest. As Americans, we believe in the constitution. We must abide by the constitution in response to global affairs. Whatever happens in Pakistan matters to us. We can not see democracy come and go in that part of the world. We must sustain and strengthen it. Doing so, will only empower the Pakistanis and improve the security of the United States.

Instead of taking unilateral actions in to Pakistan, we must have both American troops and Pakistani troops working together. As the Americans understand American geography the best, the Pakistanis understand the geography of Pakistan. It is only a part of your own vision of solving terrorism issues diplomatically. Enemies never solve problems, acquaintances solve problems sometimes, friends solve problems most of the time, but geniune brothers and sisters solve problems all the time.

America must be a big brother to countries like Pakistan and used it as a hand in strengthening relationships in the Islamic World. People in the Islamic World will not pursue Democracy unless Democracy is practiced effectively in the Islamic World. Many Pakistanis will have a better image of America and in the end, America is more secured as a result of it.

I do not expect you to have time to read this letter, but my hope for you is that you also see the hopes of those families who live in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. They are also hard working families who want to live in peace and do not deserve to be part of collateral damage. These incursions have only fueled more terrorism and Pakistan is bleeding, and when a democracy bleeds in one part of the world, we expect a big brother democracy to help heal it in another, rather than making the blood even worse.

Please reconsider your policy in regards to Pakistan and look at a new direction. The message of Hope should not be limited to a few people, but all innocent people who suffer from poverty, terrorism, and the lack of love. Together, under your presidency, we can build a better world, but attacking the tribal areas of Pakistan is seen as an attack on Pakistan. And that is not a step ahead, but a step backwards. Listen to your Vice President, Joe Biden and work with him to understand the people of Pakistan. We can build a better world by democracies shaking hands and working on problems together. That will not only help in the war on terror, but will build a stronger friendship between Pakistan and the United States, and the Islamic World and the West.

With Love, Blessings, and Peace,

Munzir A. Naqvi

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To President Barack Obama, A New Strategy for Pakistan