Daily Times

When I wrote my article, “Congratulations Mr. Trump”, immediately after his victory in the presidential race in the United States, I was hopeful that he would open the door to traditional friendly relations between the United States and Pakistan. Conversation is the way forward, the meeting between Donald Trump and Imran Khan went very well and so was a lively and candid press conference covering a large range of questions and issues. President Trump was very supporting, putting Prime Minister Khan at ease with his personal charm and as an excellent host. For President Trump, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the negotiation process with the Afghan Taliban is a big task and priority. Pakistan can take advantage of the positive developments and signals coming from the talks and use the cues to improve its relationship with the United States in the process, but this is possible only if the negotiations regarding Afghanistan’s future continue to make headway. A greater work for Pakistan is eliminating non-state actors targeting our western and eastern borders. More such meetings between Pakistan and the United States could bring prospects of regional peace and security. Congratulations Mr. Prime Minister for a successful trip to the United States.

Trump says the United States wants to exit Afghanistan and Pakistan is helping it. The President has given his consent for visit to Islamabad in response to invitation extended by Prime minister Imran Khan. Trump hints at restoring aid, boosting bilateral trade by 10 to 20 times. President Trump and Prime Minister Imran Khan impacted an effective upturn in bilateral ties. It was all for positivity and peace in this region. Good news that president would love to be Kashmir mediator. As Trump put it, “I was with Prime Minister Modi two weeks ago and he actually said” would you like to be a mediator or arbitrator?” I said: where? He said: “Kashmir” Indian source has denied that any such request had been made by the Indian Prime Minister.

Trump’s offer triggers storm in India. Trump’s remarks made sitting alongside the Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and provoked uproar in the Indian parliament and demands for the Prime Minister, Modi, to respond.

True or false, trump Kashmir Bombshell Raises questions about Modi’s political judgment. Kashmir issue with Pakistan is the nearest thing in the Indian foreign policy playbook to a stab in the back. It does not matter if Trump was speaking the truth, making things up or just plain confused. This statement was made in a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan makes the wound even more difficult to handle. The scenario around Trump’s strategy has strengthened Pakistan’s hands in the region.

Years of nuclear diplomacy aimed at establishing India as a responsible player and Pakistan as an outlier got undone as Beijing used the opening to push for parity between Delhi and Islamabad on the question of NSG membership.

Translating political vision into reality requires subtle, out of the box approach. Diplomacy is an instrument to be handled with care since it follows the rule of the situation and still needs a dynamic balance and vision.

The absence of a coherent, rational policy towards Pakistan has created a vacuum that is not in India’s interest.

Modi is fortunate to have been served a foreign policy wake-up call so early in his second tenure.

Sufficiency in economy and technology is Pakistan’s Mission. Pakistan wants Trade not aid. The country would welcome opportunities of Foreign Direct Investment as well as early decision on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

In televised remarks from inside the oval office, President Trump noted that the United States is working with Pakistan to levave Afghanistan, saying that he does not want the U.S. to be “a policeman” in the region. “Pakistan is helping us a lot now on Afghanistan” he said, adding that relations with the country are much better now than before. He also said that assistance to Pakistan may be resumed, depending upon what is worked out. While the two leaders spoke to the media, the senior Pakistan military leadership, including army Chief General QamarJavedBajwa and I.S.I Chief Lt. General Faiz Hameed, arrived at the white house for delegation-level talks.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived at the White House on Monday for his first one-one meeting with us President Donald Trump. He was received by President Trump, who greeted him with a handshake and a pat on the arm. The first lady of the United States Melania Trump expressed her pleasure to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan. “Great to have Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan at the white House today” Melania Trump tweeted. The Prime Minister had a traditional round of the white house. President of the United States lead Prime Minister of Pakistan and his delegation during a tour of the White House.

Sufficiency in economy and technology is Pakistan’s Mission. Pakistan wants Trade not aid. The country would welcome opportunities of Foreign Direct Investment as well as early decision on Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

We all know that respect is pathway to peace. There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self” all critics, and moral philosophers agree with this view. Respect is where no one is judged for their lifestyle, their decisions or the way they make their decisions. I know from personal experience that Pakistani leadership adore American Leaders, Presidents and all others – Pakistan has always been keen to desire best of relations with the United States.

Pakistan confronts internal and external issues that need to be tackled effectively for the next generations. Tensions with India are a permanent headache. The power Elite suffered from fear of losing political and economic power, and thus drifted and diverted focus from national goals and objectives. Even though, they could have contributed to strengthen institutions and build a self-sufficient and self-supporting nation with a firm mission and uniform national outlook. They were struggling most of the time to repulse the attacks of the opposition and their extremely irresponsible, negative attitudes and destructive strategies. Any political party that comes to power blames the outgoing government.

In such circumstances, I believe that domestic issues should be effectively tackled internally. Obviously, it requires an environment of peace and stability as Pakistan is located in a hostile and violent neighbourhood that makes life miserable for us Pakistanis. We are suffering because of terrorist attacks and bomb blasts from neighbours. We are suffering because of attitudes and behaviours of others, Mr. President.

Pakistan has supported the Taliban Primarily for finding a peaceful solution to issues in Afghanistan. Without our effort and help how could you have got access to talk to them direct, Mr. President. It is also true that Pakistan has supported the good Taliban since the mid 1990s as the best strategy to keep its rival India from exercising influence in Afghanistan, a relationship that has given Islamabad more leverage than any other country over the group. Afghanistan and Pakistan are brotherly nations. What is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan. We don’t resent fighting the American wars just for Afghanistan. But we have suffered a lot because of that stupidity and consequences. We loved President Ronald Raegon and it was that love for which we allowed Afghan Refugees millions of them to find shelter in Pakistan. When will they return to their country, we don’t know?

The writer is former Director, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Government of Pakistan, a public policy expert, political analyst and an established author