- Space left for diplomacy
After the New Year Day rant by President Trump, Washington has moved ahead to tighten economic restrictions on Pakistan beginning with cancelation of $255 million foreign military financing. Further measures are expected to be announced in coming days and weeks. If Pakistan’s support for Washington’s new South Asia strategy is to determine the trajectory of relations with the US, as indicated by a US National Security Council spokesman, the relations are likely to further deteriorate in days to come. The role assigned to India in the region by President Trump’s strategy will not be acceptable to Pakistan.
The opposition parties have reacted strongly to Trump’s outburst and the measures announced by his administration. As PPP Chairman Bilwal Bhutto put it, the US will not be allowed to scapegoat Pakistan for its own failures in the region. Imran Khan accused Trump of being ignorant of the basic facts of the war in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan had sustained massive financial and human losses in America’s war on terror. Smaller parties have also condemned the hostile attitude of the US administration. A demand has been made to convene a joint session of Parliament to send a unanimous response to the US.
The mounting US pressure will increase Pakistan’s dependence on China which has thrown its weight behind Pakistan maintaining that its key regional ally has made tremendous efforts and rendered sacrifices in combating terrorism thus making an outstanding contribution to the international anti-terrorism cause. Bejing has called upon the international community to fully acknowledge the fact.
The Trump administration’s ill-conceived moves have brought the government and army together. The National Security Committee’s reaction to Trump’s tweet was measured and sober. While disappointment was expressed over recent statements by American leadership the meeting decided to reach out to the US to find common ground, it also underlined Pakistan’s commitment to Afghan peace. Earlier the Corps Commanders Conference had concluded that while Pakistan must not compromise its core national interests and sovereignty, it should not go into a confrontational mode with the US.