Daily Times

US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Pakistan at a time when tensions between Pakistan and India are on a high underpins its significance. Pak-US ties have always run like a tide with crests and troughs throughout the 65 years of their relationship. In the recent past, in November 2011, US forces attacked two Pakistani check posts at Salala, killing 24 soldiers. As a result of this incident, relations hit an all-time low. Public reaction in Pakistan was very strong and the Pakistani government decided to close Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs) to Afghanistan and asked the US to vacate the Shamsi airbase. Eight months later an apology was issued by the United States, following which GLOCs were reopened in July 2012. Secretary of State Ms Hillary Rodham Clinton offered a palliative apology, while the ISAF Commander General John Allen, offered a personal apology to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.

Earlier the same year, US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen in testimony before a Congressional committee referred to the Haqqani network as a “veritable arm” of the ISI. That accusation further exacerbated relations between Pakistan and the US, and an All Parties Conference (APC) was called, which strongly rebutted and condemned Mullen’s accusation.

After a hiatus of three years, the decision to resume the Pak-US strategic dialogue is a step in the right direction, which will, hopefully, impact positively on the war against terrorism, law and order, and regional stability. All three countries — Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US — need to build a long-term and sustainable relationship to meet challenges as they appear. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to retain the additional portfolio of foreign minister. This will be a huge challenge for him as he copes with the myriad issues that Pakistan is faced with. As if Pakistan’s problems were not enough, relations with India have become strained again after the recent killings at the LoC.

Terrorism and the deteriorating law and order situation all across the country is taking its toll on Pakistan. Just a few days ago, a lone gunman was able to hold Islamabad hostage for five hours. Whatever the reasons for this to have happened, it reflects poorly on the performance of our security agencies.

The situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is becoming increasingly precarious. The writ of the state is challenged daily. The perception of some analysts is that this is the result of Pakistan’s support to the US in the war against terrorism. This might be a simplistic view since terrorists in Pakistan quite clearly have a political purpose. The political leadership will need to do something innovative so as to deal with this situation.

Foreign policy needs to address a multitude of issues, including improving the economic situation in Pakistan, regional stability, strengthening relations with neighbours and improving relations with all other countries. Government needs to formulate a comprehensive security policy, which is still awaited. It is hoped that this policy will be comprehensive in all respects and bear in mind the true dynamics of possibilities that might occur after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Indian desire to establish its presence in Afghanistan for long-term influence is obvious. This also raises concerns in Pakistan. Hopefully, the US will find means to balance the conflicting requirements of both parties.

Pakistan’s decision to go ahead with Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline is a matter of considerable concern to the US. These, however, seem to have been allayed by Pakistan. Nonetheless, Pakistan will need to reassure the US as and when required.

In the current scenario and keeping in view the Afghan endgame, the new PML-N government also needs to explore fresh avenues of strategic relations with a number of countries and regional blocs as the country needs an immediate economic boost. The previous government had made one bold decision, i.e. to expand its relations with other countries like Russia and diversify. In this regard, COAS General Pervez Kayani’s last year’s visit to Russia and his counterpart General Vladimir V Chirkin’s recent visit to Pakistan are significant. Both the countries want to enhance their bilateral ties, which were termed troubled in the past. Hopefully, the current government will follow this path to its logical conclusion.

The writer is working as Media and Public Relations Officer with the National Accountability Bureau. He tweets @irfanchaudhri and can be reached at irfanchaudhri@gmail.com

Note: The views presented in the article are the writer’s own and do not represent his organization