Truth is not what it seems

Inspired by actual events “Formosa Betrayed” is a movie about an FBI Agent who is assigned to investigate the murder of a respected professor in early 80s. His investigation took him across the Pacific to the island nation of Taiwan, where with the help of the outspoken widow and an unlikely spy, he learns that the Professor’s killing was not a random act, but a desperate move by a scandalous government intent on keeping its nefarious activities under wraps. Detective soon finds himself on a collision course against the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and the Nationalist Chinese Government – in a land where the truth is not what it seems and the only people he can trust, cannot be trusted at all.

An American National Rymond Davis working in US consulate, Lahore killed three Pakistani citizens near Qartaba Chowke in self defense. According to police an American traveling in a car shot and killed two armed men on a motorcycle as they tried to rob him. A pedestrian was also killed by a speeding American car trying to rescue American national. U.S. embassy officials confirmed that an American was involved. This incident has reminded me of FBI Agent in “Formosa Betrayed” movie. For those who have not watched movie; this incident has an analogy. FBI agent in movie was found working secretly to uncover the secrets of international importance definitely was against the national security of U.S.

Several speculations started developing just after media broke this news. Anti-American factor, premonition of being prey of militants, or fear, or foreigners are perceived as lucrative target for poor Pakistanis. Robbery is just not one thing that satiate the logic, place is rushy and it is not easy for anyone to burgle foreigners. Further diplomats in Pakistan are subject to strict security guidelines because of the threat of militant violence. Till the detailed reports come; let’s assume US National was engaged in sleuth activities in Pakistan. And secret agencies were monitoring his activities; this is very common that diplomats deployed in different countries are usually monitored covertly.

U.S. national was armed and roaming in streets of Pakistan, his car had wireless equipment through which he alerted his colleagues in car behind. It is pertinent to mention that how and why he was carrying arms and violating the sovereignty of country. This incident besides several other activities has added fuel to fire to the anti-American sentiments of Pakistanis. Regardless of the drone attacks US is conducting within the boundaries of Pakistan or US is allowed to interfere in Pakistan’s economic or political affairs.

If he was tailed secretly, and US national noticed that he was being inspected, why didn’t he informed the embassy for enhanced security. Another assumption can be the information secret agencies gathered by following him could have been disputing in nature and detrimental in straining relationships of two countries. Again from the movie “Formosa Betrayed”, governments and diplomats do not inform agents about the actual reasons for particular assignments.

Incidents of such nature are not common in Pakistan, a common Pakistani not only respects foreigners but always ready to be hospitable with them. However this incident can bear ramifications on certain levels, unless a fabricated story is established to save relationships. Denial Pearl; Wall Street journalist and Polish Engineer who was abducted and killed in militants custody are two cases that can be rate of similar nature. Even if Pakistanis came to abduct him as per other conspiracy theories spinning around, Logic does not satiate; motor bike and rushy area are two factors conform my statement.

US-Pakistan relations are of fluctuating nature. At the time, Pakistan’s relationship with the U.S. was so close and friendly that it was called the United States’ “most-allied ally” in Asia. Sometimes US actions based on their national security and foreign polices particularly after 9/11, notion of being primary ally in War on terror generated a widespread feeling in Pakistan that the United States was not a reliable ally.

Umer Saeed a police officer informed that he is police custody and being investigated. However in end a diplomatic immunity will be given to him and at maximum he would be deported from the country. I was wondering had this been a Pakistani diplomat in U.S. would have done similar actions; media and people of U.S. have nailed him uptill now him. And he would either have been denoted as terrorist or Al Qaeda militant.

I can recall the end of movie; how the US diplomat planned deporting FBI agent from country while he unearthed the international conspiracy and was demanded to take the witness to US. The witness was shot on airport and the diplomat was deported.

I am sure those three Pakistanis or all those who died in drone attacks would never be given justice. One more time Pakistan would be deprived of the right of knowing truth. Because in diplomatic relations truth is not what it seems.