US lauds Pakistan’s stance on terrorism

The relationship between Pakistan and its Western allies has always been something of a tightrope walking act. Pakistan has traditionally acted as a local partner in the Western power wars and our military and government face the tough task of doing just enough to keep the money flowing in — but local interest groups are continually being ignored. There is plenty of mistrust on both sides, not all of it unfounded, and in recent months, the relationship between Pakistan and the US has been in the bulletins for having cooled off.

US lawmakers increasingly question Pakistan’s commitment to the US goals of eliminating Taliban downright from Afghanistan while Pakistan is seething over the drones that frequently make their way into our airspace without our knowledge or approval. Most recently, it was suggested at a congressional hearing that Pakistan should be declared a state that sponsors terrorism and sanctions should be threatened if the country refuses to do more to make the war on terror a success. But the military and intelligence establishment of the US does not agree with this point of view as was evidenced by the statement issued by the Pentagon. Instead, General Raheel Sharif’s commitment to eliminating terrorist strongholds in the country and the efforts of Pakistani military in its various operations were lauded as an indicator of continued commitment to the war on terror.

It is assumed that it is in America’s best interests to sustain cordial relations with Pakistan which has been taking “important and meaningful” steps to counter terrorism. The sacrifices made by both the Pakistani military and the Pakistani people who are often caught in the cross hairs of this war were also highlighted. While the Pentagon, too, agrees with US lawmakers in demanding that Pakistan must do more to subdue the Afghan Taliban using its soil for launching attacks. Whatever the politicians and public of both countries feel about each other’s intentions and commitment, it is quite clear that the establishment is not willing to give up on this alliance just yet.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2016.

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