The recent announcement of economic support for Af-Pak by the G-8 countries is something to be applauded. It is a clear rebuttal of those who keep saying that our diplomacy is failing us. Pakistan has suffered a great deal after becoming the front line state in war against terrorism. And it was, indeed, responsibility of our Foreign Office to make the world realize the price Pakistan has paid for this war. But I think they have done a good job of it. There are forces in our country that simply would not let go of any chance to criticize the present government even at the risk of ending up killing the spirit of democracy in the process. We need to change this attitude and act a little more positively now. The recent hints about Pakistan being offered the civil nuclear deal and drone technology are big steps forward in the right direction. -YASIR QADEER, Islamabad, March 31.