Daily Times

Over the past 71 years, the United States has betrayed Pakistan multiple times. The latest state department readout which has been termed “factually incorrect” by Pakistan’s foreign spokesperson, elicited a response from Ms Nauert who claimed to stand by the readout. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has rejected the state office’s stance. A cloud of mistrust looms over the forthcoming visit of Mike Pompeo to Islamabad on his way to India.

We can see the shift in US foreign policy under the Trump administration. It has gone from American led liberalism to money oriented themes. This in turn, has alienated some of the country’s closest allies. Fundamental diplomatic norms like tolerance, mutual respect, diplomatic behaviour, and constructive dialogue, which are essential to a liberal international community, have been disregarded.

President Trump has replaced these values with exorbitant attitudes and economic motives. This approach has pitched Washington against a range of new and much stronger body of opponents including Canada, the European Union (EU), China and Russia.

Unlike Rex Tillerson, Mike Pompeo has blindly followed Trump’s dysfunctional foreign policy by testing the international community. During his swearing-in ceremony as Secretary of State on May 2, he said, “I want the State Department to get its swagger back”.

This foreshadows his future attitude at the international level as the Secretary of State. Pompeo has also appointed David Hale as an undersecretary for political affairs. Hale has a proficient track record as a Foreign Service Officer.

As a sovereign state, we need to curb dysfunctional policies and start taking decisions which are in line with our national interest. International belligerence should not be accepted at any cost and diplomatic deals should be negotiated on equal footing

He was awarded a Distinguished Service Award and acted as a skillful ambassador for Pakistan and Lebanon, both. However, I believe, his performance will be affected working under Pompeo, as he will be expected to perform the duties of Chief Diplomat whilst posturing as a Spy Master.

If we observe Pak-US relations throughout history, we notice that the Pakistani populace and the bureaucracy are on the same page about US relations with Pakistan. In the international arena, every country looks out for their own interests. Our bureaucracy is heavily influenced by foreign establishments, taking controversial decisions (at times against the interest of the state) or succumbing to foreign pressure. As a sovereign state, we need to curb dysfunctional policies and start taking decisions which are in line with our national interest. International belligerence should not be accepted at any cost and diplomatic deals should be negotiated on an equal footing.

The present controversy between the two foreign offices is a test for Pakistan’s newly sworn in PM. In fact, it appears as if Pompeo has tried to please India with a concocted readout, not realising that times have changed and Pakistan is now a changed entity. The outcome of this fiasco, will determine the future direction of our relations with the US.

Mike Pompeo has served as Director CIA, which is one of the most influential posts in the entire US Government. Thus, it will be hard for the US to step back from the contents of the readout. However, if Pakistan compromises at this point in time, a precedent will be set which will be followed throughout the tenure of the present government.

This is a test for Imran Khan as the PM. The strength of the Government of Pakistan under his leadership will be assessed through this challenge. Only in due time will we be able see progress or the stagnant state of affairs between the two countries.

The writer is Masters Degree in Computer Science and special interest in Pakistan’s political scenario, International Relations and social work

Published in Daily Times, August 28^th 2018.