Pak-U.S. relations hanging by a thread by Alim Rind

[Farrah Zafar]

Pak-U.S. relations hanging by a thread
By Alam Rind

Since the U-turn taken by ex-President Pervez Musharif, Pakistan-U.S. relations started improving. It was so because Pakistan opted to support the U.S. war on terror and her regional designs.

In the bargain, Pakistan received financial support as an ally in GWOT and also earned status of a non-NATO ally. But over the entire period, the people of Pakistan remained skeptical of U.S. long term intents.

To subdue the persistent feeling of suspicion, the two countries initiated a low key strategic dialogue, a process that would lay foundations for a lasting relationship between the two countries.

The process looked like a new beginning where a democratic Pakistan would develop a strategic partnership with the sole superpower of the world. People of Pakistan were trying to overlook the scars of 1971, when India was given a free hand to dismantle the country and the so-called Seventh Fleet never came for rescue.

At this point in time, when Pakistan is trying to mop-up the muck caused by U.S. abandonment after the defeat of communism in Afghanistan and is supporting the present U.S. war on terror it still remains as odious as ever in the eyes of many Americans.

It is evident from unabated drone attacks in tribal areas and the stance taken by American government in case of Raymond Davis, the man who committed double murder in cold blood at Lahore.

The U.S. government is exerting all sorts of pressure to win over immunity for their intelligence operator portraying him as technical embassy staff. Fallacy of the claim already stands exposed by the contradictory statements made by U.S. government officials. Still, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has taken up the issue with President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter called on president of Pakistan and insisted on the release of their so-called diplomat. It is believed that top level contacts between the two countries are on the hold and President Zardari’s visit to USA may also not materialize.

It is also rattled that aid to Pakistan may also be clamped. Isn’t the reaction too severe? Is it that relations between Pakistan and USA are so fragile that these can’t take pressure of Raymond Davis case? Is that the American government is so numb to the feelings of the people of Pakistan or there is something more in the background. The incident needs to be seen in its true prospective in which an American national shot down two Pakistanis suspecting them to be robbers. He claims that he acted in self defense.

The man has been apprehended by the police and the case is sub judice. We must allow the law of the land to take its course and that to with full confidence as in Pakistan, the judiciary is free and capable of taking independent decisions to serve justice.

The issue of diplomatic immunity can also be referred to the courts. Conversely pressure is being exerted on the government to release the individual setting aside legal proceedings. That can lead to severe public backlash, which the government can ill afford.

The vigor with which Americans are pursuing the whole issue gives an impression that the incident is being used as an excuse to ditch Pakistan once again. Or it may be used as additional pressure to force Pakistani government to comply with American wishes. One only hopes that the incident is not being over reacted to.

But if U.S. government decides to step back, the major implications will be in economic sector as at this point in time Pakistan is heavily dependent on donor agencies to meet her financial needs.

But it will also be incorrect to assume that Pakistan will economically succumb in the absence of this support. With the bumper wheat crop food security in Pakistan will remain high.

Economic hardships can be fended off through efficient management of resources and assiduousness of its people. Coercing Pakistan economically, with threats or subjecting it to relentless terrorism really won’t work, rather it will glue the nation together.

Taking a hard stance in this case would be incorrect; rather we should let law take its course. The undue pressure by U.S. government and the threats extended by Congress that the aid to Pakistan will be suspended if Raymond Davis is not released will be interpreted in a different manner.

Is it that Americans are leaving Afghanistan and they no more need Pakistan? Is it they don’t want any Pakistani role in Afghanistan upon their departure? Is it than the history is repeating itself.

One hopes that this is not the case but if the Americans implement their threats, their deceitful relations with Pakistan will stand fully exposed. Pakistan will survive the crisis and will come out stronger than ever before but it will change the regional political alignments forever. (Source: thenews.com