Response To Attack Shows Pakistan Is Not A U.S. Ally; It Is A Money Pit
By: Saad Ahmad

May 28, 2010, will be remembered as day of tragedy in Pakistan when more than 80 Muslim worshippers were martyred while offering Friday prayers by the Taliban (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-05-28-pakistan-mosque-violence_N.htm). Pakistani officials right away started giving typical excuses; but we need to say —enough is enough!

We have to confront the reality. Either Pakistan government is incapable or a silent collaborator — either way it is not an ally. This is not an empty accusation; in March, chief minister of Pakistan's largest province Mr. Shehbaz Sharif openly appealed to the Taliban that they should spare his province because "we fought on the same side against Musharraf." Just imagine if after 9/11 the New York governor said something like that. But in Pakistan, there was no outrage — he is still the head of the government there and has support from the central government as well. Many in the country's parliament have clear and stated ties to the Taliban and many in the government look for photo ops with Taliban leaders and leaders of other banned organizations.

U.S. taxpayers have given billions of dollars to this country to help them fight the terrorists but the governments are still continuing in their old ways. They have close relations with the Taliban at the highest levels of the government and the intelligence but we are still under an illusion that we have an ally. All we have is a money pit where we are throwing our hard-earned dollars. I appeal to President Obama to give an ultimatum to Pakistan government:

Sever all relations with the Taliban at all levels

Those in the federal and provincial government who have ties with the Taliban must be removed

The government must display a will to fight the Taliban throughout the country

The government must provide credible security to its citizens.

Several members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Oshkosh have close ties to these mosques. Many of us have offered prayers there as recently as a few months ago and many of us have relatives and loved ones who were injured or martyred in this cowardly attack. Please pray for them.

In instances like this we realize how grateful we need to be for our lives here in the U.S. and it gives a new perspective to the Memorial Day. Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose job it is to guarantee our freedoms.