PAK-US RELATIONSHIP

Why US is bound to keep good relations with Pakistan:
In international relations, the nature of Pak-US equation is quite unique. Pakistan is a nuclear equipped Muslim state, a status to which America is quite allergic. Despite this the US would not let Pakistan get out of its sphere of influence. This is for the following reasons.

1. Pakistan’s geo-strategic location is ideal. It is at the crossroad of CARS countries, China, Indian ocean. Strategically ideal for the west and other rich countries to reach out to the resources of CARS.
2. Gawadar port has multiply increased the importance of Pakistan.
3. At a closer proximity to China Pakistan’s position is immensely important for the US.
4. Pakistan’s inevitability for the war on terror.


History; the Reality:
Pak-US has seen many ups and downs in their bilateral relations. If we took into the ebbs of the history, we find that USA has never been fully truthful and interested in her relations with Pakistan. She never wished to establish long term relations and strategic partnership with Pakistan. But whenever, Pakistan could best serve her interest. She came closer to Pakistan. And once that task got over, she left Pakistan isolated. In the cold war and the war against USSR, Pakistan was to play a front line state role. Therefore, US become an ally of Pakistan and showered Pakistan with aid and assistance, both Military and Civil cooperation. But once the war against communism got over, USA not only turned her back towards Pakistan but she also put stiff sanction on Pakistan. Pak- US relations could broadly be discussed under the following headings.


1. After Inception Pakistan Opted for the West US:
When Pakistan appeared on the map of the world, both communism and capitalism started efforts to bring it under their influence. In 1949 Liaqat Ali Khan opted for capitalism by accepting the U.S. hand shaking, as he rejected the Russia’s offer of visiting her.

2. Cold War and Pakistan:
After the defeat of Germany, the biggest threat to capitalism of the west was from communism. And Pakistan, due to its strategic position, could play a decisive role against communism. For this very reason the U.S. and the rest of capitalists came with military, civil aid to Pakistan. Pakistan was helped in agriculture, industry, dams and security sector.

3. War against Russia and Pakistan role in it:
After the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan was forced to re-think its security measure. Pakistan started guerilla was against Russia in 1979, when in 1982, America realized that it was the best chance to roof out communism and to defeat Russia and take the revenge of Vietnam. She also jumped into the Pakistan’s struggle against Russia.

United States of America gave Pakistan military, technological, intelligence, financial and agricultural support. With the help of U.S. we became able to drag Russia out from Afghanistan. U.S.A. became the only supper power in the world after the defeat of U.S.S.R.

Once U.S.S.R. was defeated, U.S. turned her back towards Pakistan. And we experienced cold decade of U.S-Pak relation. When in 28 May 1998, Pakistan went for atomic explosion, U.S. put very tough sanctions on Pakistan. And till 9/11, 2001 we saw strained relations between Pakistan and U.S.

4. 9/11 and War on Terror:
After the incident of Twin Towers, the U.S. decided to wage war against Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Pakistan also decided to join the world community against Al-Qaeda and Taliban and become a front line state. Pakistan was given the status of Non-Nato ally by the U.S.

5. Aid and Assistance to Pakistan:
U.S helped Pakistan both financially and from military pint of view in order to make her able to fight against terror. This aid could be categorized in the following heading.

i. Military Aid:
Till the start of 2010, Pakistan defense was financed and supported with both money and defense equipment. Till 2010, Pakistan was aided with about 10 billion dollars. Among that more than 80 % was for the security purposes. In 2002, Pak was allowed to get spare parts of F-16. U.S and to buy 55 new and 25 used F-16s. Pakistan was give 16 C-130, 6 aerostat surveillance radars, military radio systems, 8 P-3C air craft’s, 2000 Tow missiles, 300 side-winder air to air missiles etc. U.S. also facilitated Pakistan with the training of its security personals.

ii. Civil Aid and Assistance:
a. U.S. resumed the Pakistani products to its markets. In 2010, Pakistan’s export to U.S. markets amounted to 3.26 billion.
b. Pakistan got more than 4 billion dollars civil aid from 2001 till 2010.
c. U.S. amounted 1.5 billion dollars for Pakistan in friends of Pakistan conference in Tokyo in 2010.
d. U.S. helped in the up gradation of Tarbella hydel project.
e. Replacement or up gradation of 1100 tube wells in Pakistan for agriculture purpose.
f. Assistance in Jamshoro thermal power station, Mazafargarh thermal project, Guddu power project etc.
g. U.S. companies investments in Pakistan. But till the end of 2009, almost all left Pakistan.

iii. Kerry-Lugar Bill:
According to this bill Pakistan would be assisted with 7.5 billion dollars from 2010-2014, 1.5 billions every year. Among these 1.5 billions, 800 million would be for the security purpose and the rest of the 700 millions would for the civil developments. But this bill is conditioned with many unacceptable do and don’ts. For instance Pakistan army is stopped from mingling with the civil set of government. Army should not topple down a civilian government, but to receive such an order from U.S. is next the violation of our sovereignty.

iv. Pak-U.S. Strategic Dialogues
American interest skewed towards short term and medium term goals which are in conflict with Pakistan’s long term objects. American wants to win war against terror and pacification in Afghanistan, while Pakistan wants an:
a. Energy deal with U.S. as it did with India.
b. Economic collaboration
c. Kashmir solution
In all the three demands of Pakistan, U.S. has shown least interest. So the discussion on strategic partnership has always been tactical for America and strategic for Pakistan.


v. Current Difference/ Irritants:
a. U.S wants Pakistan to launch operation in North Waziristan against Haqqani Network. But Pakistan has been hesitant due to two reasons;
i. As its army is busy in Swat, Malakand, Bajawar agency, Kurram agency, Momand agency and Baluchistan, she can not afford to open new war zone for her forces.

ii. As Pakistan has restricted majority of the militants to North Waziristan after a long struggle. Once she opens an operation against them, they would once again spread out in the country and would destabilize the country.
b. U.S. wants to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaeda while for Pakistan Taliban, particularly T.T.P(Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) is the biggest threat.
c. U.S. blames that there are elements in Pakistan army and I.S.I. that are supporting Taliban particularly Afghan Taliban. H. Clinton said;
“Pakistan army is not going all out in cracking down Al-Qaeda leadership”.
d. U.S. has been violating Pakistan’s sovereignty by continuing Drone Attacks in the Tribal belt of Pakistan. On the other hand Pakistan demands that Drones should be operated by Pakistan.

e. Pakistan has been condemning U.S. unilateral operations against Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Pakistan wants U.S. to share its intelligence with Pakistan, so that to make operations against militants more productive. But U.S. has always denied Pakistan’s legitimate demand.

f. U.S. has been tactfully denying Pakistan demand for strategic partnership. Pakistan wants a civil nuclear deal with U.S. on Indian style. But U.S. has been reluctant to do so with Pakistan

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vi. Current Scenario:
a. Raymond Davis Saga:
The incident of Lahore proves that U.S. intelligence personals are operating in Pakistan. Two U.S. private contractors caught in Peshawar, according to police and FIA, were private detective for C.I.A. There are reports that like Raymond Davis, many other agents are operating in Pakistan, which really hurts Pakistan’s interest. Due to this Pakistan has decided to minimize the U.S. security trainers in the country. Around fourty U.S. trainers have already left the country. U.S. is upset for this step of Pakistan.

b. Osama Bin Laden Episode:
U.S. marines entered Pakistan without prior information. They used stealth technology that saved their helicopters from Pakistani radar. They operated for fourty minutes in a house in Abbotabad and flew back for Afghanistan. They claimed that they slained Osama Bin Laden in Abbotabad. Whether Osama was actually there or not is a separate issue but this step of U.S. marines was a clear breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty. This episode brought both the partners against terror at the verge of departing from each other.

c. Halting Pakistan’s Army Aid:
The 800 million dollars aid that was assigned to Pakistan army is stopped by U.S. This step of U.S. would certainly affect Pakistan’s efforts against militants.

d. Criticism of I.S.I. Chief by C.I.A. Chief:
Leo Panetta has blamed Pasha, the I.S.I. chief to be involved in the murder of Saleem Shehzad. This illogical blame proves that Pak-U.S. relations are passing through a strained phase.

e. Pasha’s visit to Washington:
Last week I.S.I. chief visited Washington and had meeting intelligence and security personals. D.G. ISPR has claimed that visit was fruitful and our relation with U.S.A. is back on the track.

f. CIA Regional Chief left Pakistan:
The chief who was monitoring War on Terror left Pakistan on medical grounds, but analysts think of it yet another sign of parting of the ways between the war on terror partners.
g. COAS General Keyani refusal;
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Keyani has refused in the Nato meeting in Spain about any military operation in North Waziristan Agency.
h. Premier Gilani’s stance;
For the first time the government of Pakistan has taken a clear and bold stance in replying the US. PM Gilani said;
“It is time for the US to do more”
i. US Ambassadar, Munter’s criticism;
US ambassador in Pak has allegedly criticized that Pak government has ties with Haqqani network. “US can prove Pak govt ties with Haqqani network”
J- Salala check post incident: On 26th November, 2011 the US helicopters made an assault over Pakistani check post at Salala, Mohmand Agency, in which 24 soldiers of Pakistan lost their lives. In response Pakistan took three stern steps. The closage of NATO supply line, forced the Americans soldiers to evacuate Shamsi airbase and deciding not participate in Bonn (a city of Germany) conference.

H- Chicago conference: NATO conference at Chicago on 18th and 19th of May 2012 held to sort out the exit strategy from Afghanistan. Pakistan participated in it with aim of mending its derailing ties with US. But unfortunately, US authorities did not agree to both of the demands of Pakistan. First, US must apologise for its illigetimate assault on Slala check post. Second, the demand of Pakistan to increase the transit tax of NATO supplies from $250 to $5000. Above that adamant approach of US president Barak Obama not to meet Pak president sent a humiliating message to Islamabad. Pakistan has taken a firm stance not to open NATO supplies until US apologise for its inhuman act and to agree to the increase of transit tax for NATO supplies.

The punishment of Dr. Shakeel Afridi by Pakistan: The High court in Peshawar, Pakistan has imprisoned Dr. Shakeel for 30 years. He was working for CIA in tracing Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin ladin in Abbotabad. US demands his immediate release.

PAK-US turning to be enimies rather allies: The current hamuliating statement about US navy sail operation of the US defence secretary Leon Panneta on his visit to India sent a clear antagonisng message to Pakistan. “They didn’t know about our operation. That was the whole idea”

Currently Pak-US relations are at the lowest possible level


Conclusion
It is true that keeping good relations with U.S.A is our necessity and the need of the time. But keeping in view the past dishonest and haughty attitude of U.S.A. and keeping in view the uncountable ups and downs in Pak-U.S. relation. It is suggested that Pakistan should not throw all its eggs in one basket. She should turn towards the East (China), an all weather friend.

Define US foreign Policy to Pakistan, and is it in our national interest? If yes/no, then how? and what should be the role of Pakistan's foreign policy? Don't you think that our foreign policy lacks a lot to seek our national interest?

Thanks..