The drone fallout

THE US drone attack that killed Taleban leader Hakimullah Mehsud may now see a fallout not visualised by Washington – on the Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan. Prior to their pullout, the multinational contingent faces a threat with their supplies in danger of being cut off, thanks to angry Pakistani local leaders. Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s ruling party in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa is now threatening to block Nato supplies which travel through his province unless the drone raids stop. It is an important transit corridor which will remain vital even after the troops pull out as their heavy guns, tanks and other gear will have to be taken out of Afghanistan through it. Pakistan is likely to collect more than $5 billion as fee for transit services but this golden goose is now in danger, following the differences between the local government and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over foreign policy issues. If the provincial assembly goes ahead with the measure it has threatened, all Nato transit supplies would be halted from November 20.

Sharif can’t be seeing as riding roughshod over the local government since it has a strong socio-political base and the drone attacks have drawn widespread condemnation, partly directed at Sharif too for the perceived collusion with the bullying foreign power. To appease the public, Pakistan’s government has condemned the attack but just lip service may not do if Khan’s party really goes on the warpath. The other alternate route is through crisis-torn Balochistan province. However, it is a dangerous path and would increase the risk of greater fatality. With the Nato withdrawal date dawning closer, a reconciliation is needed to keep a safe exit route open. More drone attacks are therefore likely to pound not just US foes but allies as well.

All Nato transit supplies may be halted from Nov. 20

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