The Pakistani Government has a human rights record that makes that of Mugabe or Milocovic look good. It is known to be torturing and killing thousands of Balochi Separatists (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/pakistans-dirty-war/1/107246.html; http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/24892/; http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/23986/), it is acting extremely suspiciously with regard to the investigation of the "Osama Bin Laden" affair (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13612101; http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/missing-pakistani-journalist-found-dead-20110601-1ff4g.html), not that they needed to act any more suspiciously (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-02/us/29495661_1_bin-operation-with-extraordinary-courage-pakistani-security). There is serious suspicion that Pakistan has been playing both sides against the middle throughout this entire conflict, hiding Bin Laden and continuing direct military support for the Taliban in order to keep getting more and more funds.

Allies or friends like this we do not need. The Hazzara and Tajik Communities that make up the bulk of the Northern Alliance are also involved in fighting the Pakistani Government directly. Not to mention the assassination of Benazir Bhutto (http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/us-withdraws-musharrafs-security-and-protocol-109305) which is being laid squarely at ex-President/General Musharraf's door (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\06\01\story_1-6-2011_pg3_1) why on earth are we supporting these people?

Pressure on Pakistan, throwing it out of the Commonwealth and removing all assistance/funding is the potentially the single biggest step we could take toward stabilising our region and ending the war in Afghanistan. Until we do so, we can expect this to keep going on and on and on ad nauseum.

Speaking of ad nauseum. God I hate excessive links. Why do some people insist on a BILLION links I'll NEVER look at? This ain't wikipedia, brother. It's a forum for crazies and their multiple personalities and people who like to laugh at them. You don't need to verify every fourth word. If you make a statement that NEEDS quantifying, do it, other than that, please, give it a rest.

But yeah, in a perfect world we'd dump our refuse on Pakistan to hide them from our consciousness, but unfortunately, it ain't that simple.

Yes to every word StG who does read every link?
But it is not a perfect world while we stay we have influence, not a lot but some vs none?

I provide the links in order to allow people to make informed responses. Simply stating that "it is not that simple" is not an informed response, it is the same crud thrown at us by Governments who would prefer you didn't consider the effect of the enormous Reko Diq mineral deposits on their decision to risk nuclear war in the South Asian region. Unfortunately that is precisely where we are headed, we continue to support a Country, the support of which is not in our best interests (long or short term) in order to ensure that American Companies get first dibs at the massive Copper/Gold deposits. In doing so, we continue to fund nuclear proliferation by Pakistan, we continue to fund the forces fighting against ours in Afghanistan and we continue to fund corrupt Generals/ex-Generals, who can, have and will continue to kill to remain in power.

The massive arms race that is going on between India & Pakistan should be a wake up call surely? But no, we'll just continue to pour tax dollars on the fire, with the sure knowledge that the more nuclear weapons exist in Pakistan, the more likely we are to wear one or more. On top of that, the heroin trade would be destroyed if the ports were taken out of the hands of the Pakistani Generals.

Meanwhile Bob Brown calls for the troops to be pulled out, why? What exactly is his viewpoint? That Afghan children that haven't had the good fortune to be in an Immigration Detention Center deserve to have acid thrown in their faces for having the temerity to attend school? That fully one third of Afghans be returned to the care of the Taliban AGAINST their will? I mean, who could blame the ANA for getting the irits? They are being asked to fight against the very people the US Government (with the aid of Bob Brown) would have us hand the Country over to? What exactly does Mr Brown stand for? Given the riots on ANZAC Day, certainly not the National Anthem or anything else.

St George

That is the best post u have ever written.

StG

While I agree about excessive links, could you have used a better example?

Custard's post contained relevant links to support their argument.

One of the worst offenders is OUG.

Custard

Even if it were possible, I don't see how further isolating a nation solves anything.

You're right, and I apologize to Custard (lolz, never asked for forgiveness from a food before) for derailing the thread before it left the station.

Generally, statements people make are taken for granted as something close to fact unless they go against the status quo or just don't seem right. It's a personal thing from me and I really can't be bothered trying to read between the links - which I WON'T click - to figure out content. So, I don't really read the topic that has unnecessary linkage.

Also, my 'name' comes from Saint Germaine which ... blah ... google him if you're interested ... anyway, was a blog of mine YEARS ago. I've been meaning to change it but just can't be stuffed.

Call me Pete.

StG (Pete)

>> never asked for forgiveness from a food before <<

Too funny.

My apologies to Custard also, I find Pakistan too much of a basket case (like so many blighted nations) to offer any suggestions, just a strong intuition that booting from Commonwealth would create even worse conditions for Pakistan's citizens.