Daily Times

United States is no doubt a big and a very powerful country and is the leader of the dominant western civilization. Comparatively Pakistan is small and further ‘belittled’ with its leaders misdeeds. The concept of an Islamic ‘threat’ that the west has developed, has deeply affected Pakistan’s relations. But now there is a possibility to make Islam an opportunity instead of a threat. The US Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff told BBC Journalist Yalda Hakim that “Islamic organizations are working to encourage the Taliban to talk with and ultimately join the Afghan government. Religious leaders in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Pakistan have issued fatwas calling on the Taliban to lay down their weapons and talk peace.” Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) preached and attempted a politics of tolerance, which is not what people of faith are associated with today.

Pakistan carries few cards, which are getting fewer. Therefore, it should understand that it is difficult to negotiate with the US on an equal footing. But history is replete with examples, and most recently the negotiations with ‘Afghan Taliban’ for reconciliation in Afghanistan, popular American academic Barnet R. Rubin claimed that Saudi Arabia and UAE gave Pakistan billions of dollars in soft loans because America was pushing them – in exchange for Pakistan bringing Taliban to the negotiating table for peace. It shows that when even the weak have wisdom and sound strategy they find a way out to proceed further, after surrendering a bit more than was due, provided it is not bent upon becoming a slave quite willingly like the Pakistani rulers – both present and the past.

The US bashing at the national level in Pakistan should end. If Pakistan has differences with America, it should logically criticise it by exposing the double US standards, to hurl abuse and unduly criticise is against Pakistan’s national interest with the United States.

Mutual disputes are there and shall remain but Pakistan has to differentiate between American rulers and policy makers. Despite Pakistan’s weakness and imbalance it can seek common values and interests that may play their role in developing pleasant relations.

There is enormous potential in trade with the United States. The FTA will give access to Pakistani merchandise in the US market which is untapped due to restrictions, security lens and quality. Moreover, the US investors can also take advantage of economical labor, capex and opex

Pakistan has lost ground in realizing the importance of friendly relations with the United States. In order to achieve its target, Prime Minister Imran Khan should turn to the center of Power in the American political system by using personal relations in the Congress and the Senate. He should lobby for Pakistan and invite President Trump to visit the country which shall usher a new era of ties between the two nations.

US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told American Senate that “Pakistan will continue supporting non-state actors in Afghanistan and Kashmir”. CIA Director Gina Haspel recently returned from India and it seems that NSA Ajit Doval painted another deception after PM Modi sold a library to President Trump in Afghanistan. In the US led war against terror, Pakistan lost 6000 soldiers, 28000 civilians and suffered a loss of US $ 180 Billion in economy, on the contrary, India sacrificed nothing. India has sponsored terror in Balochistan and Kulbhushan Jadhav is an example.

If properly approached and impressed, the US society and their system offer possibilities apart from aid and bailout packages towards self reliance. Pakistan should be aware of the offer of President Trump’s close ally Senator Lindsey Graham to open avenues of FTA. In the background there is a US $ 6.4 Billion trade wrap, of over 400,000 Pakistani expatriates making fundamental contribution to the American society with over 11000 being Medical Doctors.

According to various studies, Balochistan’s Reko Diq has 5 Billion tonnes of high quality Copper reserves worth US $ 4 Trillion and 1.2 Million Kilograms of Gold Reserves worth US $ 50 Billion. The proven oil reserves of 300 million barrels are worth US $ 15 Billion.

According to a USAID study, the extractable shale oil reserves are close to 95 Billion Barrels. The offshore gas reserves are estimated to be 9 trillion CfT. After a gap of 9 years US Exxonmobil and Italian ENI anticipate the potential of 500 Million Barrels of oil reserves in Kekra-1 well, 280-KM off-Karachi coast worth US $ 28.3 Billion. The cost of drilling is US $ 100 Million. The drilling can be completed in 2 months time.

Chinese companies have also surveyed offshore potential in sea coral but a major breakthrough is yet to be seen because the western and local players find the competition of China in Oil and Gas sector challenging to a level playing field.

US-based Cargill is ready to invest $200 million in Pakistan. Its annual revenue is $114 Billion with an asset size of $60 Billion employing 150,000 employees globally in Agricultural, crop and livestock, food, health and pharmaceutical, industrial & raw materials services.

The existing American portfolio investment in Pakistan is over US $ 500 Mln. Prominent brands include Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardees, Dunkin-Donuts, GE, Exxon Mobil, Procter & Gamble, IBM and Levi’s and of-course a Pakistani tailor from Karachi        who was flown to America in the private jet of the former US president George W Bush to make his wardrobe.

There is enormous potential in a trade wrap with the United States. The FTA will give access to Pakistani merchandise in the US market which is untapped due to restrictions, security lens and quality. Moreover, the US investors can also take advantage of economical labor, capex & opex.

With determination Pakistan can take full advantage of its location, build dynamism into its economy, and can unleash the power of its youth and women.

The writer can be reached at ibrahim.qazi @umt.edu.pk

Published in Daily Times, February 1^st 2019.