Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: In a rare letter to the editor of The New York Times, former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has questioned the United States’ commitment to the security needs of Pakistan.

Responding to a New York Times editorial which attacked Pakistan being a “duplicitous and dangerous” partner for the United States and Afghanistan, the he emphasised how what once was a strong partnership allied against threats to the region was sadly frayed, while citing the struggle between Pakistan and the US over the purchase of F-16 fighter jets.

“Despite our common security interests and a deep democratic kinship, there is ambiguity toward the bilateral relationship from officials in both countries. In Congress, there is outright opposition to supporting the fighter deal,” he added.

“Pakistan has suffered repeated mass-casualty attacks by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, most recently in Lahore, where 74 were killed and 338 wounded. We are fighting for our lives,” wrote Zardari, adding that those members of Congress who were distrustful of Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorists should come to the country and bear witness to Islamabad’s solidarity and resolve.

Finally, referring to the US State Department’s upcoming visit to Pakistan, the former president said he hopes that the meeting will be used to assure Pakistan that the US remains committed to supporting Islamabad’s security needs.

Earlier, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani also slammed The New York Times editorial holding Pakistan responsible for the mess in Afghanistan, saying it was the result of collective failure of the international community.

“The May 12 editorial about Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan is biased and negates the complex history of this prolonged conflict,” Ambassador Jilani said in a rejoinder to the NYT’s editorial page editor. Allegations of duplicity and double game were extremely painful as Pakistan has suffered the most due to war in Afghanistan, he added.