External environment

• Promising signs

A number of significant developments are taking place in the region. They should form the basis for cautious optimism that Pakistan’s narrative is gaining acceptance and the frenzy and propaganda unleashed in the wake of the Paris meeting was nothing but a storm in a tea cup.

First, while briefing the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Lt General Robert P. Ashley, the Director of US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), said that ‘Pakistan’s counter-insurgency operations and border management efforts have reduced the menace of terrorism in the country’. During his address, he highlighted ‘Pakistan’s sincere efforts to tackle the menace of terrorism’, adding that ‘Islamabad is likely to proceed with its counter-insurgency operations and border management efforts along its western border while sustaining counter-terrorism and paramilitary operations throughout the country’. He further said: ‘These efforts of Islamabad have had some success in reducing violence from militant, sectarian, terrorist, and separatist groups, but Pakistan will look to the United States and the Afghan government for support against anti-Pakistan fighters in Afghanistan’. Perhaps even more remarkably, he pointed out that ‘despite all these efforts to contain militancy on its soil, Pakistan will look to the United States and the Afghan government for support against anti-Pakistan fighters in Afghanistan’. This last comment is remarkably bold, as it was absent during the briefing given by General Joseph Votel, CENTCOM Chief, to the House Armed Services Committee a few days earlier. In fact, it breaks from the recent statements from both the Chiefs of CIA as well as the DNI.

Second, Ms Alice Wells, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, in a news briefing on Monday, acknowledged that both Pakistan and the Taliban have legitimate grievances and the United States is willing to address those concerns. ‘We’re certainly not walking away from Pakistan. There will be very intensive dialogue through both our military and our civilian channels to discuss how we can work together’ Ms Wells said. ‘Pakistan has an important role to play in helping to stabilise Afghanistan’. She also conceded that the suspension of US security aid to Pakistan had failed to force Islamabad to change its policies. ‘We’re in the beginning of a process with the Pakistani government. We have a series of high-level exchanges’ said Ms Wells, indicating that the foreign secretary’s visit will lead to more talks with Pakistan, both in Washington and Islamabad. Ms. Wells’ discourse is a punctuation of the message Ms Lisa Curtis shared with Pakistani side during her visit in the immediate aftermath of Paris meeting.

Third, the National Security Council in its last meeting indicated that Pakistan is in the process of recalibrating its foreign policy by enhancing its regional focus. It noted that CPEC was the most significant regional initiative and represents the promising manifestation of Belt-and-Road initiative. Besides Pakistan, it would also benefit the region. It also noted that new regional initiatives would soon be launched. In this regard, the Foreign Minister informed the meeting about the fruitful talks he held with the Russian authorities during his recent visit. Some breakthrough projects with Russian collaboration are in the pipeline.

We are keen on regional stability and are ready to play our part to achieve connectivity and promote economic integration together with all the key stakeholders in the region

Fourth, the inauguration of construction work on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, covering about 1,200 miles, is a harbinger of rising regional connectivity that can transform economic cooperation. In a rare development, a Taliban spokesman welcomed the inauguration of the project and assured safety and protection of the segments passing through their areas of control. ‘The Islamic Emirate views this project as an important element of the country’s economic infrastructure and believes its proper implementation will benefit the Afghan people. We announce our cooperation in providing security for the project in areas under our control’, the statement said.

Fifth, the work on CASA-1000, though slow, is progressing smoothly, says a World Bank report issued in December 2017. The project would bring 1300 MW of hydro-electric power from Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan to Afghanistan (300 MW) and Pakistan (1000 MW). The EPC contracts were awarded last December to two Indian firms for building of the transmission lines in Afghanistan, whereas the Tajikistan government announced in February that the work in all participating countries would start during this year. The project is billed for completion by the close of 2020.

This, then, is the picture of Pakistan that emerges from the recent happenings. It belies the constant refrain of Pakistan’s isolation and marginalisation on the international scene. This refrain is based on clichés from our own people easily excited by the views expressed by those whose agenda is to undermine Pakistan’s position on major international issues. More than our enemies, these writers are prepared to indict country’s establishment for whatever is spread against Pakistan — from being the sponsor of terrorist financing to harbouring terrorist sanctuaries in its lands. This pattern was most visible after the FATF meeting where our electronic media looked for a moment like the Indian media. [Only one channel offered apology for being the victim of being swayed by the Indian propaganda] Not just that there was the issue of Pakistan being placed on the grey-list, but they also pressed into service such patently false information that even the best of Pakistan’s friends have ditched it after realising that Pakistan was a chronic offender of international money laundering and terrorist financing protocols. None had even the remotest understanding of Pakistan’s achievements in this regard nor of the issues involved. Yet they bought into the rhetoric against Pakistan and its perceived isolation on the international forum. More interestingly, the Chinese Foreign Office has categorically denied such assertions on several occasions.

These developments should give the nation confidence about the country’s solid standing in the comity of nations. Pakistan does not have hegemonic designs neither do we teach our children that we have claims outside the territorial boundaries of Pakistan. We are keen on regional stability and are ready to play our part to achieve connectivity and promote economic integration together with all the key stakeholders in the region. However, we are also a nation fully capable of understanding and determining our own interests and are also adept to defend them. We are not keen to play the competitive game between and among the great powers. In fact, our vote would be for cooperative endeavours that promise win-win solutions for all stakeholders. The region has infinite potential and offers vast opportunities for all players. It would be most unfortunate if the region is viewed in a zero-sum perspective for that would ensure perpetual instability and conflict. Pakistan would support all efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Afghanistan so that the path to economic integration is cleared.