CHOGM and Pakistan

Patricia Norman asks:

There is no denying our friend Pakistan hid Osama Bin Laden for some years. The military does not act in isolation it takes orders and as Osama hid in plain site the question is how much of a friend is Pakistan and the obvious answer is not at all. It is time to throw this corrupt nation out of the Commonwealth because not only is it an embarrassment it is also extremely dangerous. Osama was the number one terrorist in the world easily identifiable and there is no room for excuses.

Patricia Norman
Victoria, Australia

Sandra Healey asks:

Respectfully Sir,

I ask these questions and expect that they will be addressed at the coming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting:

1. How can the Pakistan Government reasonably expect the members of this meeting or any Australian citizen to believe that it did not have any knowledge of the presence of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad?
2. Why did elements of Pakistan defence forces assist in hiding Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad?
3. What is President Zardari doing to prevent his defence forces from supplying and training the Taliban?
4. What measures is the Pakistan government taking to control the Pashtun-supported Taliban in his country?
5. Why should one more Commonwealth soldier risk his or her life given Pakistan's role in the deaths of so many thus far?
6. Why shouldn't Pakistan be expelled from the Commonwealth given it's role in the deaths of so many young Commonwealth soldiers?
7. Why did Pakistan security agencies help plan the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai that killed 166?

So far 2,452 allied soldiers have been killed as we seek to root out Islamic extremists from the region. Among those sacrificed have been 365 Britons, 155 Canadians, 24 Australians and 2 New Zealanders. All Commonwealth citizens.

Pakistan has not helped the Commonwealth in this fight but rather, it would seem, aided and abetted our enemies. How many more valiant soldiers must die before they are called to account? You have asked that this be a more inclusive CHOGM in Australia. I, for one, trust that you mean what you say.

Sandra Healey
Tasmania

Barrie Parmenter asks:

1. What measures is Pakistan taking to control the Pashtun-supported Taliban ?
2. What measures is Pakistan taking to prevent the Defence Forces from training and supplying the Taliban ?

Barrie Parmenter

Moyra Wells asks:

Sir,

Why are you people allowing Pakistan to be still in the Commonwealth when it is allowing our brave soldiers to be killed by the Taliban, who are supplying and training in Pakistan. This is a great travesty of justice and a waste of young lives given up for freedom.

You people who sit back and make the laws need to have a good hard look at yourselves and make some hard decisions, I wonder do your sons and daughters present themselves on the front line? I think NOT.

Pakistan must be expelled forwith or are you just the figureheads you appear to be. Its time to step up and be counted, we the people have had enough.

Moyra Wells
Australia

Joe Allen asks:

Mr. Sharma, here are a few questions for you to ask at the CHOGM coming up in Perth:

• Why shouldn't Pakistan be expelled from the Commonwealth given its role in the deaths of so many young Commonwealth and American soldiers?
• What is President Zardari doing to prevent his defence forces from supplying and training the Taliban?
• What measures is Pakistan taking to control the Pashtun-supported Taliban in his country?
• Why did elements of the Pakistan defence forces hide Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad?
• Why did Pakistani security agencies help plan the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai that killed 166?
• Why is Pakistan interested in meddling in Afghanistan's affairs?
• Why are pakistanis such backstabbers that they try to play both sides of the war?
• What plans have they for keeping nuclear weapons away from the taliban thugs?
• Why do pakistanis feel the need to lie so much?

Regards,

Joe Allen
Australia

Peter Jacobson asks:

Why shouldn't Pakistan be expelled from the Commonwealth given its role in the deaths of so many young Commonwealth soldiers?

What is President Zardari doing to prevent his defence forces from supplying and training the Taliban?

What measures is Pakistan taking to control the Pashtun-supported Taliban in his country?

Why did elements of the Pakistan defence forces hide Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad?

Why did Pakistani security agencies help plan the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai that killed 166?

Peter Jacobson
Australia

The Secretary-General replies:

Terrorism is a global issue of concern to all Commonwealth countries and cannot be justified or legitimised by any cause or grievance whatsoever. Commonwealth leaders support the continued efforts of Pakistan and other Commonwealth countries to counter terrorism, and we use a variety of ways to do so. One is to provide legislative assistance to combat the financing of terrorism. Another is to encourage co-operation at national and international levels. Yet another is to promote discussion and practical work that builds mutual respect and understanding among peoples.

At their most recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, our leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, as criminal and unjustifiable.

Kamalesh Sharma