How would it sound if Pakistan government officials were to ask, or rather instruct, the US government to deal with the Latin American states in a certain way? Does Pakistan have a right to do so? To many, it would probably sound like a big joke. Here is a fact, though; US secretary for State Rice Condoleezza instructs Pakistan, in a domineering style, to cooperate with India in the investigations of the Mumbai attacks. Does she have a right to do so? If the answer is 'yes', why does the US have that right but none other? Why should US officials behave bossily with us? Isn't Pakistan an independent state? If it is not, how can this nuclear state of south Asia become independent? Hope the learned ones would shed light on the above questions for the enlightenment of the common readers. -ANWAR JALAL, Peshawar, via e-mail, December 6.