Daily Times

Dark clouds of hopelessness and helplessness are thundering over the Pakistan House in Washington DC, since the ugly episodes of mistrust and lack of confidence continue to be witnessed in the heart of world’s most powerful capital.

The relations between Pakistan and United States were already marred citing the present situation of Afghanistan, while the long-awaited telephone call of President Biden to Prime Minister Imran Khan is also making headlines and bullying the Pakistani diplomats.

The news sparked in a Pakistani Community event in Houston when Chair of Pakistani Caucus in Congress went to the Pakistani Counsel General and lodged her protest for the disgraced meeting in Washington DC The honorable member of the Congress lodged her strong protest with the CG about a meeting, where a visiting powerful Pakistani General and National Security Advisor never turned up despite their confirmation.

After a lot of digging, it was revealed that Pakistani Ambassador in Washington DC Dr. Asad Majeed Khan hosted a small reception at Pakistan House where three important members of the Congress were invited to meet a Pakistani General and National Security Advisor, but after waiting hours and hours both the gentlemen never turned up that made honorable Congress members angry.

This news was confirmed by a number of sources, while an Embassy official said that it was the embarrassing moment for the Ambassador as he failed to meet the expectations of close friends of Pakistan in US Congress. Pakistan is already fighting its case with the Biden Administration, and working hard to gain the confidence and trust of American leadership but not turning up for such kind of important meetings creating more controversies.

Many of the analysts in Washington DC also believe that it was the first and the last visit of NSA to Washington DC as he is not capable to pull the strings.

The spokesperson at the Embassy of Pakistan never responded “On the Record” on the matter, despite many requests, it looks like there was nothing to say on that kind of embarrassing situation, while the Counsel General of Pakistan in Houston was also tight lipped about the protest lodged by the member of the Congress with him.

It was beyond understanding that National Security Advisor, in his recent visit to Washington DC, was so busy meeting with the Congressional staff, but he had no time to meet the Congressmen. He told in a press conference that he wanted to reach out to the grass root level to sketch the better image of Pakistan, but he really forgot to mingle with the mainstream people, who are already working with Pakistan in difficult situation.

Many of the analysts in Washington D.C also believe that it was the first and the last visit of NSA to Washington D.C as he is not capable to pull the strings, and there is no thrill in his talks and speeches, seemed like a helpless person.

This incident shows that when Pakistani leadership in Washington DC failed to make their friends happy, now how can it make new friends?

This news of disgracing members of the Congress is spreading like fires in the jungle, while after visiting the NSA claimed that Pakistan enjoys good relations with America. NSA should read the recent statement of Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin, which he released after a telephonic conversation with Army Chief General Bajwa. The latter said, “During the call, Secretary Austin expressed his interest in continuing to improve the US-Pakistan relationship and build upon our multiple shared interests in the region”.

The writer is a Washington-based journalist and author.