It’s amusing to see scores of people disappointed with the outcome of the Nawaz-Obama meeting. What were they hoping for? That the PM will emerge victorious from the White House, with a briefcase full of US-aid, having sealed the deal for Afia Siddiqui’s return to her motherland, and a piece of paper signed by Mr Obama himself, which would ideally say: “My bad.”
It’s necessary to manage expectations with changing times. A sense of entitlement alone is never sufficient in order to achieve desired objectives. Apart from those who are completely devoid of any understanding of the current perception of Pakistan, and the country’s recent performance in various arenas, the fact that the visit wasn’t absolutely disastrous is considered by the rest to be its greatest success.
The PM told the media that he raised concerns over the US drone program in Pakistan, and sought assurance over an end to the recurring strikes. However, the US President refrained from offering any assurances on the matter. Perhaps, as a favour to the head of his country’s “strategic partner”, he did make the effort to pay lip-service by saying that there is a need to find a constructive method which “respects Pakistan’s sovereignty”. Another way of telling everyone that no number of reports by humanitarian organisations, or requests by the present or previous PMs would deter the US from continuing its controversial policy.
For every demand that was made by the PM, the President had an effective counter. The request for the transfer for Dr Afia Siddiqui was parleyed with the release of Dr Shakil Afridi; an unfair comparison, indeed. The request by Pakistan has been extended over humanitarian grounds, concerning her deteriorating health. The aim is to reunite Ms Siddiqui with her family. On the other hand, Dr Shakil Afridi has been labeled as a “hero” by the US, and it is in this capacity, he will most likely be received in the country he spied for, if handed over. “Afridi was not a hero”, responded newly appointed Ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani, making it clear the violator of the Hippocratic oath will serve his sentence in Pakistan. Still recovering from the hangover of his meeting with Indian PM Manmohan Singh, President Obama raised the issue of JuD and the freedom it enjoyed in Pakistan, despite several calls of taking it to task for its alleged involvement in the Mumbai 2008 attack. It’s unlikely that just because it is desired by India and the US, any action will be taken at home. If it was China that had made the request, however, Mr Hafiz Saeed could have waved his freedom goodbye.
The PM insisted that “we have to put our house in order”, making him the second man in the room with the same opinion about his country. While the choice of words could have been better, the sentiment is much appreciated. But, words alone will not suffice. The PM must utilize the wonderful opportunity he has been granted for a third time, and take serious steps which illustrate that his words do not just amount to empty rhetoric, but a well-founded realization, prompting decisive action.