True friends

US would do well to learn from cousins across the pond on how to conduct foreign policy in this part of the world.

At a time when few countries have a positive relationship with Pakistan, Islamabad should be grateful to be able to count London as a true friend. The recent Pakistan Trade and Investment Conference in London, an affair well attended by senior British government officials and business leaders, is an example of the largely productive nature of the alliance between the two countries. The UK is not interested in just giving Pakistan handouts, though it is certainly generous with aid. It wants to help Pakistan help itself. British support was critical in Pakistan being granted preferential access to the European common market. Bilateral annual trade between Pakistan and Britain has now reached $3.44 billion, with the balance of trade largely in Pakistan’s favour. British companies are some of the biggest foreign investors in Pakistan. The British government seems keen on helping Pakistani companies use London as the international financial centre they turn to in order to raise capital on the London Stock Exchange.

The relationship is, of course, not without its flaws. The British government did not win any favours when it proposed discriminatory requirements for Pakistanis seeking visas to visit the UK. But the overall nature of the relationship stands in sharp contrast to others that we considers our friends. The Obama Administration has been unable to make progress in getting a preferential trade agreement through the US Congress. China does have a free trade agreement with Pakistan, but that largely serves the seemingly near-colonial relationship that Beijing seems interested in cultivating with Islamabad. We export raw cotton and yarn to China and import communications and other high-tech equipment. The Americans would do well to learn from their cousins across the pond on how to conduct foreign policy in this part of the world. Our Foreign Office, too, should have a clearer sense of who our true friends are, before entering into agreements with foreign governments.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2013.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.