Reviving ties

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In an era where hardcore diplomacy has taken a backseat to geopolitics, a recent telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio marks a cautious but welcome step towards reviving a historically complex relationship. Though the call revolved around a singular and sensitive agenda — the threat posed by American weapons left behind in Afghanistan post-2021 withdrawal — it hinted at broader possibilities of cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Taliban's control over vast caches of advanced weaponry has been a ticking time bomb in the region, one that poses threats not only to South Asian stability but to global security. That this issue became the basis for the maiden contact signals weariness on the far end of the divide, which is hoped to be curtailed through indirect means via Pakistan.

In separate statements, the Foreign Office in Islamabad and the State Department in Washington acknowledged the need for expanded cooperation. Minister Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, rightly stressed the need for stronger economic ties while highlighting Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts and sacrifices. With Trump running the country from an economic standpoint, this moment presents a unique opportunity for Pakistan to showcase viable investment avenues in sectors like minerals, tech and green energy.

Pakistan must capitalise on this pivot and present itself not merely as a security partner but as a country open for business, with strategic assets and untapped potential.

If Pakistan can present a coherent economic roadmap and a unified policy front, and if the US is willing to invest in long-term engagement rather than short-term gains, both countries stand to benefit. It is too early to celebrate — but it is certainly the right time to reimagine what a 21st Century US-Pakistan partnership could look like.