Anti Pakistan Conspiracy .. The Trust Fund

An international conspiracy to split Pakistan into two zones by turning them into two separate geographic units was foiled by a brotherly Arab Muslim country in Dubai a week before the Tokyo meeting of the Friends of Pakistan Forum.

A plan to set up the so-called ‘Trust Fund’ was drawn up for provision of ’special aid’ to the provinces of Balochistan and the NWFP with huge amount of international assistance separately - meant to disconnect them from the rest of the country. The idea was reportedly widely accepted by senior officials in Pakistan and even some high-ups in Islamabad considered it a ‘lucrative’ and ‘harmless ‘ proposition.

Highly-placed sources told The News that some Western countries campaigned for making the idea acceptable to all the participants of the Dubai meeting. Several calls were made from Abu Dhabi to different world capitals to get the approval of the Dubai meeting but the country in question, who enjoys tremendous esteem in the Muslim world and has a leading role for the Muslim Ummah, came in the way of the proposal. This country delayed announcing its contribution for the Tokyo meeting. It threatened that if the West continues to press for the proposal, it would publicly announce its opposition to the idea and may stay away from the forum, the sources said.

This leading Muslim country was of the view that once the Trust Fund was established, it would be used as conduit for the dismemberment of Pakistan. The diplomats expressed apprehension about Pakistan’s interests and said once the Trust Fund became effective, the United Nations would be subsequently asked to come forward to play its role for the region to the detriment of Pakistan.

It was feared that in a calculated step, international financial institutions would contribute billions of dollars in the name of rehabilitation of those areas. Later, they would ask the world body to come forward to play its role to save their huge investment there.

Thus the move would have the mandate of the United Nations to give it the cover of legitimacy. This could have cut Pakistan to size on the one hand and paved the way for the creation of a buffer state between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the other hand. Most of the bordering countries of Pakistan would have supported such a division.

For the reason, the respected leading Muslim country insisted that any assistance for any region within the territory of Pakistan must be routed through the authority of Pakistan.

Shaukat Tarin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs, told The News that the proposal for the creation of the Special Fund was deferred. He revealed that Pakistan had sought $2.5 billion for security purposes while $4 billion for education, health and other welfare activities. However, Pakistan was assured of $5.5 billion aid, an amount beyond its expectations.

To a question, he said the security requirements and the Trust Fund would be taken up again after the Pakistan Development Forum (PDF) meeting to be held in May/June next. The government will also knock the doors of the IMF for the fund, Shaukat Tarin added.