Pak-U.S Relations
“While history has been unkind to Pakistan, its geography has been its great benefit”. (Stephen P Cohen)
Geography
• West-Iran, Afghanistan and Wakhan link to CARs
• South-Arabian sea
• North-China
• East-India
• Energy richer, most conflicted and most populous region
• Trade route, sea route, energy corridor, Geostrategic location
History
• A diplomatic blunder to engage in alignment policy in 1953
• Serious of engagements and estrangements
• MEDO in 1954
• SEATO in 1954 withdrawal in 1972
• CENTO/Baghdad Pact in 1955 withdrawal in 1979
• Military sanctions in 1965 (suspension of military aid)
• Symington amendment in 1979(suspension of military and economic aid)
• Pressler amendment in 1985
• Brown’s Amendment in 1996
• Glenn Amendment in 1998 ( going nuclear )
• Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill in 2009
• In 1959, 1981 and 2001 aid without sanctions
Afghanistan issue
• Shares Pak-US mutual responsibility
• Both agreed to cope
• US success to mould world sympathies
• Military and economic aid to Pakistan
• Confrontation started over Haqqani network and Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
• Drone attacks, Raymond Davis case, Abbottabad operation and Silala check post attack
• Pakistan could not mould world favours to its plight besides being partner in war against terrorists
U.S strategy to tackle the issue
• Anti-Taliban government
• Indian engagement
• Pressure on Pakistan t o ‘do more’
• Less share to Pakistan in Afghanistan development
• Terrorist activities inside Pakistan through TTP (Swat, Bajoure,chitral as safe havens of TTP in kunr, kandhar, Nooristan)
• Military and economic aid to Pakistan conditional with full cooperation
• Only those Taliban acceptable who are ready to accept US hegemony
Pak Strategy to tackle the issue
• Taliban remain in government
• To collect more military and economic gains
• Indian evacuation from Afghanistan
• U.S to leave the region completely
• Good and bad Taliban definition of extremists
Neighboring States’ Strategy
• Russia and China don’t want U.S stay in the region
• Iran and Turkey don’t want Taliban government
• India is also against Taliban regime
• India wishes to receive maximum benefits from development perspectives
Recommendations
Pakistan
• Clear, transparent and comprehensive strategic policies
-No hidden agreements
- Policy discussion in parliament
-Minimize intelligence agencies and military role regarding policy making
• Ban on domestic religious extremist groups activities
• Cordial relations with Afghanistan government
• Pakistan should clearly define its links with Haqqani Group
• Pakistan should focus its benefits from stable and peaceful Afghanistan
• Pakistan should function as a professional trader not soldier
• Mobilize regional stakeholders

U.S
• Acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts to curb terrorism globally
• U.S should clearly define whether it has its stake in Afghanistan or Taliban
• Ban of drone attacks
• Must help its afghan partners to rework their relationships with Pakistan
• Must clearly define its agenda of exit till 2014
• Must engage Pakistan in peace talks with Taliban
• Must engage Pakistan in army training and development programmes
• Must end Indian consulates’ and Moulvi Fazal ullah’s TTP ‘s activities in Afghanistan’s Eastern provinces
• Provided civil government with more administrative powers
• Engage regional security forces in peace activities



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