US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on a three-day visit to India. Her threatening tone and public threats are winning the US no public support in Pakistan. Her upbeat mood in India and the tough line she has taken against Pakistan clearly suggest that the US has decided to deal with Pakistan as it does with Iran.
What message is Ms Clinton giving to the people of Pakistan when she says that ‘Pakistan has not yet taken steps to do what India and US have requested that they do’? Pressuring Pakistan did not work in the past and the acquisition of our nuclear capability is a vivid demonstration of that.
The people of Pakistan believe that America imposes its will on them and its actions continue to harm Pakistan’s interests more than they favour them. And now the US looks more like the friend of our opponent than a major ally seeking functional relationship. Pakistan is not an impediment but a valuable partner and active participant in the creation of a stable and secure regional environment.
KAMIL HASSAAN
Lahore