Daily Times

Unfortunately, the bilateral relations between Pakistan and United States are not going well since last year. Their working relationship is suspended and there is a clear lack of trust. The statements from US officials show that there is no mutual understanding between both the countries. It is unfortunate that the United States is still ignoring the sacrifices made by Pakistan against the war on terror.

Pakistan played a vital and constructive role against terrorism. Pakistan remained the front-line ally of the Unites States in the War on Terror. Trump’s administration suspended $500 million of the coalition support fund early this year. Now, the US has suspended another $300 million on the basis of non-existent allegations that there is a lack of decisive action against terrorists from the Pakistani side.

Trump’s administration has now backed out from all those commitments which were made after 9/11 by the Bush administration, and later by the Obama government. This is the same policy that was followed by the United States after the Soviet Union’s downfall during the eighties, when Pakistan provided all kinds of strategic support to America in Afghanistan, and suffered a lot of consequences. Pakistan herself is badly affected by terrorism. Pakistan has become a victim of terrorism not only from inside the country, but from the outside as well. Thousands of soldiers and civilians became the target of terrorism, and its detrimental effect on the economy of Pakistan, as well as the tourism industry and the country’s general reputation, is incalculable. The fact is that the amount suspended by the US was not an aid, but actually part of their coalition support fund, and is money that they rightfully owe Pakistan, for their various sacrifices in the US’s war on terror.

The US should also recognize the sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan, and realise that the blame game is not in the mutual interest of both countries. The fact is that the amount suspended by the US was not an aid, but actually part of their coalition support fund, and is money that they rightfully owe Pakistan, for their various sacrifices in the US’s war on terror

Now the US has resorted to the blame game. The newly formed government in Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, is determined to establish a relationship with America that is based on mutual respect and coordination.

Soon, the US Secretary of State is going to visit Pakistan, and it is time they realize the importance of their strategic relationship and interests with Pakistan. The US should also recognize the sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan, and realize that the blame game is not in the mutual interest of both countries.

It is time for Pakistan to review their bilateral relationship with the United States. Unluckily, there was no foreign minister of Pakistan for four years during the previous government. Shah Mehmood Qureshi is an experienced Foreign Minister. He should revisit the foreign policy regarding the United States. Now, it is a decisive moment for Pakistan to establish a bilateral relationship with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, trust and coordination.

The writer can be contacted on his Email: imranhaiderzaman@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, September 5^th 2018.