Pakistan had no option but to assist United States forces while they carried out the operation against Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, according to a senior official in the Indian administration and a diplomat who is dealing closely with the neighbouring nation.
"Pakistan was told about the Abbottabad operation at the last minute by Americans, just about the time they were ready to strike. They had no option but to join in," he said.
The officer, who knows Pakistan quite well, says the Abbottabad operation has helped Americans in a big way. But in spite of Pakistan's help to the US, the "fears and suspicions between the two nations won't go away."
The entire operation to kill Laden is full of ironies.
If the operation was carried out by Americans only, it shows Pakistan in a poor light as it implies that the declining superpower can come and go at their will in this country.
If the operation was conducted with help of the Pakistan Army, as confirmed by Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, the director general of Inter-Services Intelligence to Syed Saleem Shahzad of Asia Times, it shows that Army chief General Pervez Kayani has willingly or unwillingly favoured Americans in a big way.
One assumption being made is that in United States's plans in Kabul in the coming months, Pakistan may get some additional weight for helping out President Barack Obama while his ratings at home turf has been low.
When asked by rediff.com if the second assumption is true, what might be the quid pro quo in this deal that allowed American forces to kill Osama bin Laden on Pakistani territory, an Indian official said, "In Afghanistan, Al Qaeda is not the only factor playing a role. I don't think Pakistan can get leverage in Afghanistan."
He pointed out that the bigger news was Pakistan's loss of credibility due to this operation.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karazai had always claimed that bin Laden was no longer in Afghanistan and US forces should look for him in Pakistan.
While ruling out any favour to Pakistan in the new gameplan in Afghanistan by the US administration, he said, "It is very clear that Osama could not have been hiding in Abbottabad without Pakistan's help. He was right in front of a military cantonment. So, how can they be trusted in Afghanistan?"
