Daily Times

Sir: The tugs of war are still going on between Pakistan and America’s Pentagon over the issues of financial aid versus militancy, the latest being the alleged cancellation of the funds to Pakistan. Any sincere effort of tackling the terror menace deserves appreciation.

To fight or not to fight and to give or not to give are some of ifs and buts doing the rounds now — that will eventually turn out to be the vicious circles in future?

Coming back to the omnipresent Osama Bin Laden story, how the United States had vigorously killed Bin Laden post the horrible September 11 attacks is known to the entire international community. If America is serious-minded regarding the militancy on Pakistani soil, Uncle Sam should go beyond what it is now thinking of — maybe towards a paradigmatic change or away from hegemonic attitude. The time has come to reprogram everything in the best interests of all. It is just not about tackling the violent trends alone. In fact there are factors like support to education, job creation and revolution in agriculture. These salient factors will add to the strength of Pakistan and will make it far more beautiful, thereby driving away the insurgency to the greater extent. From these various angles, the American agencies should start functioning.

The newly formed government in Pakistan led by its premier Imran Khan should chalk out different strategies and must probably convince the American President Donald Trump according to the ground rules and in the best interests of Pakistan and Pakistanis.

P SENTHIL SARAVANA DURAI

Mumbai, India

Published in Daily Times, December 11^th 2018.