Pakistan, why can't we...

[Four Cofffee]

If they are the exporter of terror and seat of terror camps, as CMD says, why can't we just cut them off?

Close all the airlinks from and to the West so that getting in an out is a pain the the arse. Drop the phone and internet connections, stop all banking transactions and get any friendlly neighbours to close the borders.

I know it won't stop terrorists training and being supplied but it would make it much more difficult.

There must be implications I haven't thought of (like them moving to Iran) but why do we still bother with a country which seems to some harbour peole with a death wish for us?

[Wyvern971]

And what about the majority of those who aren't like that who come and go, have family there etc?

[jas xjr]

would it hurt exports?

[Fetchez la vache]

Would that mean less cricket?

Result!

[Four Cofffee]

Wyvern971 said:

And what about the majority of those who aren't like that who come and go, have family there etc?

No different to Iran, North Korea?

[Alfa numeric]

They're nominally an ally and in theory our route into Afghanistan.

Plus of course that approach didn't really work in Afghanistan...

[Puggit]

It appears to me that many Pakistanis want to live in the stone age - so let's not help them, eh?

[fadeaway]

The other problem with cutting them off is that it would probably push them further towards the terrorists!

[5unny]

Because strategically it's better to be in there keeping an eye on them than cutting ties completely.

Sponsoring terror in Afghanistan and India is something America and Britain can deal with. If, however, an attack in London or New York is traced back to Pakistan then the st will really hit the fan (as Ms Clinton recently said).

[Flintstone]

5unny said:

Because strategically it's better to be in there keeping an eye on them than cutting ties completely.

Sponsoring terror in Afghanistan and India is something America and Britain can deal with. If, however, an attack in London or New York is traced back to Pakistan then the st will really hit the fan (as Ms Clinton recently said).

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Sun-tzu
Chinese general & military strategist (~400 BC)

[EvoDelta]

5unny said:

Sponsoring terror in Afghanistan and India is something America and Britain can deal with. If, however, an attack in London or New York is traced back to Pakistan then the st will really hit the fan (as Ms Clinton recently said).

The Times Square bomb attempt was by a Pakistani born and trained terrorist.

[MX7]

Pakistan are fighting the same insurgents that we are. Why we would distance ourselves from them?

[Flintstone]

MX7 said:

Pakistan are fighting the same insurgents that we are. Why we would distance ourselves from them?

I hope I'm detecting a hint of sarcasm?

[Zod]

MX7 said:

Pakistan are fightingaiding the same insurgents that we are fighting. That's Wwhy we wshould distance ourselves from them?.

[rich1231]

Four Cofffee said:

If they are the exporter of terror and seat of terror camps, as CMD says, why can't we just cut them off?

Close all the airlinks from and to the West so that getting in an out is a pain the the arse. Drop the phone and internet connections, stop all banking transactions and get any friendlly neighbours to close the borders.

I know it won't stop terrorists training and being supplied but it would make it much more difficult.

There must be implications I haven't thought of (like them moving to Iran) but why do we still bother with a country which seems to some harbour peole with a death wish for us?

Most financial transactions with Pakistan are not really through banks.

[5unny]

EvoDelta said:

5unny said:

Sponsoring terror in Afghanistan and India is something America and Britain can deal with. If, however, an attack in London or New York is traced back to Pakistan then the st will really hit the fan (as Ms Clinton recently said).

The Times Square bomb attempt was by a Pakistani born and trained terrorist.

You're correct.

But she did say this a week or so ago re that plot:

Mrs BillClinton said:

"We've made it very clear that if -- heaven-forbid -- an attack like this that we can trace back to Pakistan were to have been successful, there would be very severe consequences,"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/Pakistan/Clinton-to-Pak-Severe-consequences-in-case-of-attack-/articleshow/5906162.cms

[MX7]

Zod said:

MX7 said:

Pakistan are fightingaiding the same insurgents that we are fighting. That's Wwhy we wshould distance ourselves from them?.

As a nation, they are fighting the Taliban. The ISI, I suspect, has some elements who do support the Taliban, but the government is still fighting them, the Swat Valley offensive being the most high profile example.

I'm not sure you can dismiss a whole country just because of some rouge elements. I don't think we'd have many allies if we did that.

[Zod]

MX7 said:

Zod said:

MX7 said:

Pakistan are fightingaiding the same insurgents that we are fighting. That's Wwhy we wshould distance ourselves from them?.

As a nation, they are fighting the Taliban. The ISI, I suspect, has some elements who do support the Taliban, but the government is still fighting them, the Swat Valley offensive being the most high profile example.

I'm not sure you can dismiss a whole country just because of some rouge elements. I don't think we'd have many allies if we did that.

It is not at all clear that Pakistan as a nation is fighting the Taliban. Part of the Army certainly is, but elements of government, army and, in particular, the ISI are aiding the Taliban.

[bobbylondonuk]

1. tribal religious practices
2. Resentment towards modernisation for fear of point #1 being eroded
3. Corruption
4. ISI: The Mossad of the islamic world!
5. Modern Education being looked at as a threat to #1 being eroded
6. Secular Pakistanis who are economically better off trying their best to get out of Pakistan
7. Politics based on #1


Quite a few problems within the country...and not much needed to tip it over! So better for us to hang around rather than shut them off.

[anonymous-user]

You guys are fking nuts! I've heard some st on PH but this one seriously takes the piss!