Walter Savage Landor says, ‘We talk on principle, but we act on interest.’ The history of the Pak-US relations reveal that the latter used the former for its interest and on getting what it wanted, left the other in the lurch.
The US has a variety of interests in Pakistan. They can be confined to geo-strategic interests and America’s war against terror. Among geo-strategic interests, America has severe reservations about Pakistan’s inclination towards Russia, China and SCO. USA does not like Pakistan mending ties with Russia. Pakistan and China have established a time tested relation, which irks USA. America forced Pakistan to shun IP and move to TAPI. Behind it were the dreams of harming Iran and plans to shift Central Asian gas to South Asia, damaging Russian interests and building India against China. It is also irrefutable that the route of TAPI is very perilous and passes from the anarchic areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The emergence of China against USA around the globe and especially in this region has changed the state of affairs. America has emerged as a disastrous and troublemaker in the region. One thing is true, that America does not want to see Pakistan destabilized. It is not to favor Pakistan, or that America wishes Pakistan’s wellbeing, but because with the fall of Pakistan in the hands of extremists and militants, the whole region will fall into militancy and this is totally against the American imperial designs.
It is time for America to ‘do more’ for Pakistan and the rest of the world. World is direly in need of peace and prosperity. If the conduct of the world powers is not changed, then they must remember that ‘who digs for others falls himself.’ America needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs it. Pakistan should, with sensitivity, realize its position and importance and should now ask for stability and progress instead of continuing the servile role they played.
ZULQARNAIN SEWAG,
Jhang, September 8.