Downgrading US-Pakistan ties a no-win option
The PM’s New York visit to attend the 72nd session of the 193 member United Nations General Assembly, which he is scheduled to address on Thursday, comes at a time when the strained relationship between the long time Cold War allies has plumbed the depths of mutual suspicion and distrust, with no end in sight. Though the theme of the 2017 meeting is ‘Focusing on people; Striving for peace and decent life on a sustainable planet’, Pakistan must expect flak from the US and Afghanistan on its alleged ambiguity and double standard in the fight against terrorism, which has been the duo’s whining refrain to mask its own failure in the military ground position. The nine scheduled meetings on the sidelines and an expected dialogue with US Vice President Mark Pence will provide an opportunity to the PM to put across Pakistan’s point of view on various issues. But the main talking point of the trip will undoubtedly centre on the ‘hot friends cooling’ relationship.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has clearly stated that an arbitrary US degradation of bilateral ties will lead to serious consequences, by undermining the overall military effort in Afghanistan and encouraging terrorism, in other words, this dubious ‘remedy’ of punishing Pakistan will prove worse than the disease it was intended to cure. Pakistan remains firmly committed to fighting terrorism for which it needs American military equipment, to continued discourse with the US and in furthering the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. However, if push comes to shove Pakistan, which has suffered tremendous losses, human, material and financial, in the war on terror, will also be compelled to restrict its present policy of mutual cooperation over terror- related matters, gradually downgrading diplomatic relations, and in the worst case scenario of being declared a state sponsor of terrorism with sanctions imposed, cutting the NATO supply route from Karachi.Unfortunately, the foundation of a vigorous foreign policy rests on a strongdomestic situation, and this is Pakistan’s Achilles ’ heel, with its divisiveness, infighting, political instability and extreme economic vulnerability. Wiser counsels must therefore prevail on both sides.