Daily Times

Much has been said about Pakistan’s participation in the Islamic Military Alliance and its former Army Chief heading the latter. Our Prime minister was given no opportunity to present Pakistan’s case within the context of the country being a victim of regional instability and terrorism. In short, the PM was effectively gagged at the American-Islamic summit on counter-terrorism. This was also a personal blow, especially after all that time reportedly rehearsing his speech. It also represented a national humiliation. Meaning that Imran Khan is partly right to accuse the PM of spectacularly failing to take a stand for Pakistan while the whole world was watching. Ditto when it came to the PM’s selling Iran out, too, amid the verbose warmongering. All this, as the PTI chief has pointed out, despite the parliamentary resolution ruling out Pakistani involvement in any Middle Eastern conflict. Thus Nawaz’s inaction has exposed his attempts to reassure Iran that the so-called Sunni Muslim club would not have its eyes set on a single nation, based on sect divisions, as worthless. This resounding silence will cost Pakistan dear. It is not a price the country can afford to pay given the hostile neighbourhood in which it currently finds itself.

That the Foreign Office has used its diplomatic channels to approach US representatives simply adds to the affront, smacking as it does of sheer desperation. It is time that Pakistan grew up. For the message from Riyadh could not have been clearer.

No one was interested in what Pakistan had to say. Quite possibly, they have heard it all before. Of this, Nawaz should be in no doubt. Trump’s singling out India as a victim of terrorism while failing to mention Pakistan — at all — was not a case of simple veering from the script by an exhausted president. It was a signal to Islamabad of where the US stands on current South Asia power imbalances. Thus Pakistan should take the hint. Yes we are a frontline ally in the war on terror. Yet for most of the world — we hold the dubious honour of being both a victim and state-sponsor of terrorism. Yes our former COAS is the man leading the Islamic Alliance into battle — yet we are ranked fourth on the Global Terrorism Index. These contradictions matter.

Therefore Pakistan would do well to stop hanging around for any few titbits coming its way from the big boys at the US banquet table. Which means that, in future, instead of dashing over to meet a new American president any which way but loose — a Pakistani elected head of government should think twice. Far better to be the first to extend the invitation and see if the US chief does more than talking the talk. Though it must be noted that none has had the wherewithal to walk the walk — not since a certain Army chief also held the presidency. Then, too, we had easier relations with most of our neighbours.  *