Daily Times

In an unannounced visit, the US national security advisor, H R McMaster, met with the civil-military leadership of Pakistan on Monday. The American emissary communicated to his Pakistani counterparts to come clear and clean on all types of militants including the Haqqani Networks.

General (retd) McMaster had earlier expressed similar sentiments during his sojourn in neighbouring Afghanistan. Given the chequered history of Pakistan-US relations and the recent shift in each other’s strategic outlook – where the US has established strategic relations with India and Pakistan has fully embraced the Chinese, and is pursuing the Russians – this American visit is extremely critical for both the Islamabad and Pakistan. The US still is a superpower with its economic, military and epistemic superiority over China, Russia and Europe. The Trump Administration, being conservative, is all clear on the question of militancy emanating from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Little wonder, Trump-led USA attacked Syria, dropped the Mother of All Bombs on Afghanistan and its military might is encircling North Korea for a possible attack. Significantly, China is walking cautiously and is unlikely to confront the US on the North Korean issues. Moreover, Pakistan-India relations are at an all-time low these days due to the Jadhav episode. And Kashmir is burning with Indian atrocities on the rise. In such a constrained context, Pakistan has limited choices: it can either say goodbye to the US forever or balance its relations with China and the US. For the latter to happen, Pakistan ought to open up all channels of communication and diplomacy with the US and work in tandem to eradicate extremism and terrorism. Mashal Khan’s brutal murder and the confession of Noreen Laghari regarding her links to the Islamic State are only the tip of the iceberg. The US on it part should appreciate Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and play a mediatory role to resolve this lingering conflict once and for all. China can also be taken on board for Kashmir settlement. Finally, the arrival of US national security advisor is probably the last opportunity for Pakistan. If lost, it is the latter that will suffer economically and strategically for critical junctures are rare.  *