Trump is no push over

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This requires an overhaul of Pak-US relations

 

Within days of President Trump’s announcement of the new Afghan policy, the Pakistan establishment, government and Parliament expressed one after another strong displeasure over Trump’s diatribe against Pakistan. Especially irritating were the peremptory tone and the embroidery that the US had been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars while they were housing the very terrorists US was fighting. The Foreign Minister told the Senate that talks with US and bilateral visits had been suspended in protest. Henceforth strict protocol was to be followed in meetings with US. No American delegation or official was to be entertained before prior permission or allowed to meet anyone belonging to a higher level.

 

Speaking at the Asia Society forum Kh Asif told that the likes of Haqqanis and Hafiz Saeeds were relics of the US’ Afghan war inherited by Pakistan which had become liabilities for the country. It is for the first time and that too after Hafiz Saeed’s MML contested against the PMLN in NA-120 that the government officially debunked JuD. This is welcome anyway. Interestingly Asif did not mention JeM for reasons known only to himself. This would strengthen the perception that those who matter continue to indulge in cherry-picking.

 

Pakistan according to Kh Asif is also ready to work with India to seek peaceful resolution of all disputes and to create an environment of peace and stability allowing the people of the two countries to realise their aspirations of prosperity and development. However a new initiative was needed to bring India and Pakistan to the negotiating table. While keeping in view India’s obduracy this seems to be wish fulfilment, the pursuit of peace must be continued.

 

 

While Kh Asif’s meeting with Vice President Pence went on well, it remains to be seen if President Trump is willing to tone down his rhetoric, recognize the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war on terror, realizes the need for talks with the Afghan Taliban and the importance of countries sharing borders with Afghanistan in the peace process. While India may economically help Afghanistan it has to be ensured that its presence in Afghanistan is not aimed at harming Pakistan.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Terrorists are Allah’s enemies. We are Allah’a “friends” and He is our friend (Allahowali ulla zeena amanu). Terroists are Allah’s curse on those who have forgotten Him, as we have. The biggest and best “Ibadat” that Allah has taught us in Qur’an is His “remembrance.” He had reminded Moses when Moses was sent to challenge Hero “Do not forget to remember Me.” He has made Namaz an obligation and to remember Him on Tasbeeh after every Namaz. His religion is so simple, easy, and “solution-orirnted” tat it defies logic. This is why He has made learning of Qur’an and its understanding binding on every believer.

  2. This is welcome suggestion to Pakistanis by this news paper. Mr. Trump is really not push over. The rhetoric emanating from Pakistani establishment these days is very acerbic and combative in tone and content. Many believe that Pakistan has some kind of lever with US and Pakistan can arm twist US. They need to understand that Pakistan is too weak to stand up to both US and India combine. It will suffer incalculable loss if their obdurate behavior invites wrath of Mr. Trump.

    • You have always been a sidekick be it Russia and now USA. You will eventually disintegrate into Pieces . The process has already commenced in the Eastern part of your pathetic county.

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