America’s pipeline warning

Letter March 03, 2012
The US government should understand that it is precisely such remarks that end up alienating other countries.

LAHORE: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Pakistan that if it goes ahead with the Iran gas pipeline project, it could face sanctions. The US government should understand that it is precisely such remarks that end up alienating other countries. It should know that its policy of bullying nations by using the threat of economic sanctions against them if they don’t fall in line is not very productive.

The American policy of dictating and determining what is good for Pakistan, which has been its ally in fighting against the Communists, has on its own encouraged extremism in Pakistan.

Pakistan should treat the warning seriously but also keep in mind that the present unhealthy ties between Iran and America will not last forever. But Iran is a permanent neighbour of Pakistan, so its offer should be considered in earnest as well.

ST Hussain

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2012.