The question now arises whether the US will respect the wishes and demands of Pakistan’s parliament
KARACHI: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security has given its recommendations regarding Pakistan’s relations with the US. The question now arises whether the US will respect the wishes and demands of Pakistan’s parliament and through it, the demands of the people of Pakistan. What Pakistan is currently seeking to limit and gradually eliminate is uncertainty about US intentions. Such uncertainty has plagued the minds of Pakistanis for quite some time.
It is not only what has been said in parliament that makes the case of Pakistan-US relations a strong one, but also what goes on outside parliament. The Difa-e-Pakistan Council and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf are opposing the restoration of Nato supplies. Such a threat in the immediate context may induce a favourable US response to parliament’s recommendations. The US would prefer to strengthen Pakistan’s parliament, which is in favour of dialogue and cooperation rather than giving unnecessary incentive to those spreading anti-US sentiments on the streets of Pakistan. It is hoped that America will grab this opportunity presented by parliament and will understand the genuine concerns of Pakistan. If it does that, it can officially apologise for attacking our border posts and then move on to implementing a new framework of cooperation and shared understanding based on mutual benefit and trust.
Lt-Col (retd) Muhammad Ali Ehsan
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2012.
