Drones

Musharraf is being castigated by all and sundry left and right for many things including the drone strikes in Pakistan. Yes, Musharraf did allow the use of drones but has anyone also given it a thought – why. Are the drone strikes doing harm to Pakistan or good?  Who are they used against and actually kill whom? We are shown only the pictures of the children, women and old folks living in the nearby houses who die due to the collapsing of temporary mud walls and roofs, but not of the terrorists killed who had been provided sanctuary in the housel adjacent.  The drone technology and missiles are so accurate that it can target a Rupee coin lying inside on the floor of a house !!  A drone is fired only to kill the terrorists and with each and every drone strike at least one or more known terrorists are eliminated. Now are these terrorists only anti-US or anti-Pakistan as well?  I think they are doing more harm to Pakistan than to the US/NATO/ ESAF in Afghanistan.  As Pakistan doesn't have drone technology, nor it can afford to spend a million dollar for each missile fired, apart from the immense costs involved in the initial purchase and subsequent operation of the pilotless drones, I think it is a big big help rendered by the US in eliminating the terrorists and curtailing their nefarious activities.  Had they been let loose, allowed to operate freely and not killed, I shudder to think of the havoc they would have played with us and Pakistan.  

So my dear, Sirs, Musharraf did allow drones and so would have anyone else in his place including the pigmies crying themselves hoarse now against him.  Why did the parliament not order the Air Chief who offered on the very floor of the august house to drop the drones IF ordered by the govt,??!  

"Ramooz e mumlikat Khusarwan mi danand" (There is many a state secret that only its rulers know)  The lesser we talked of such matters the better it would be for all of us.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)