United States Commander for Southwest Asia General David Petraeus, while on a recent visit to Pakistan, stated that the United States has negotiated new supply lines for American and Nato troops stationed in Afghanistan.
General Petraeus acknowledged that at present Pakistan is the sole supply route for allied forces; but justified the need to explore alternate supply routes as using Pakistan territory for the purpose 'has caused resentment in sections of Pakistani society and supply trucks passing through the north-west have been attacked and raided on several occasions.'
The attacks/raids noted by General Petraeus had led to the destruction of depots as well as hundreds of trucks. The Pakistan military, in response, had undertaken a wide range of operations in an effort to put an end to attacks against provisions and supply caravans destined for ISAF troops but the danger of further attacks, in all probability, led to the Americans exploring alternate supply routes.
Based on commitments made by Barack Obama to the American people it is thought highly likely that the US would considerably increase its military presence in Afghanistan with the objective of dealing with the issue of terrorism not only in Afghanistan but also in neighbouring Pakistan.
This, so argue many an analyst, may well lead to a greater number of drone attacks, instead of less - a hope explicitly expressed by several Pakistani cabinet members - which would further fuel local anger against the Americans and make the supply trucks a target. Be that as it may, the alternate supply routes according to David Petraeus consist of support from Russia as well as several Central Asian Republics.
During the Bush presidency Russian concerns about what they perceived as hegemonistic US designs were high, reflected in the Russian offer to Central Asian Republics to purchase all their excess energy to forestall American efforts to strengthen its influence over the region by providing a supply route through Afghanistan to South Asian countries; yet the world's perception about the US has undergone a major change and expectations are high with the advent of the Obama presidency.
In addition the Central Asian Republics are probably requesting significant amounts for the use of their territory as a supply route. These two factors by themselves may have been adequate for the Russians and the Republics to finalise the deal with the US.
There is no doubt that the alternate routes would imply less income for Pakistanis currently involved in transporting products earmarked for American and Nato forces in Afghanistan; and with lower dependence on Pakistani co-operation it is feared that the American government may further harden its stance and insist Pakistan 'doing more' than it already is.
The cost, therefore, for Pakistan may well be considerable which is unfortunate. It is, therefore, hoped that assurances are extended in an effort to ensure that the Pakistani business/economic interests are not compromised by the successful negotiations for alternate supply routes.