Forum Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Just when our government and the Ambassador to the U.S., Mr. Hussain Haqqani, were trying to lure the nation into a false sense of security, Pakistan’s borders were being invaded by the U.S. yet again. All the requests and warnings made by our PM Gilani were ignored and the promises to Mr. Haqqani were thrown in the bin.

The history of Pak-U.S. relations clearly shows that the relations were more forced than a willing alliance. The U.S. was in need of an ally in South/Central Asia due to the Cold War. After the creation of India and the independence of
Pakistan, the U.S. wanted to befriend India, but India’s refusal to join the anti-communist campaign left U.S. with no other choice. Hence in 1954 the U.S. reluctantly aligned with Pakistan against communist states after Pakistan signed a pact with Iran and Turkey (old U.S. allies).

Although Pakistan managed to become America’s “most allied ally” after
signing the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, SEATO and CENTO in
1954, relations were never smooth. There always existed a U.S. tilt toward India. The 1962 Sin0-Indian presented an opportunity for this tilt to show itself. The U.S. enthusiastically came forward to supply India with military aid against communist China. This step seriously disappointed Pakistan because the Americans did not abide by their promise to consult Pakistan.

The Pak-Indian wars strained Pakistan’s relations with U.S. During the 1965 war, America placed an arms embargo on both Pakistan and India, making the situation more difficult for Pakistan. And in the 1971 war, U.S. did not interfere at all, which compelled Pakistan to withdraw from SEATO. After all, what use is an alliance if it is a one-way route, Pakistan giving help in America’s fight against communism but receiving no assistance in its hour of need?

Considering this record, the U.S. has proven to be a very unreliable friend. U.S has placed sanctions on Pakistan time and again for deciding to become a
nuclear power. The relations only improved as Pakistan became strategically important during the war with U.S.S.R in Afghanistan.


However, when the Soviets retreated, the military and economic aid was reduced and Pakistan was left to deal alone with the aftermath of the war. Pakistan again became important for the U.S. after 9/11 and so Washington made Pakistan its ally in the war against terror.


It can be concluded that Pakistan has always been used by the U.S. Until now the relationship had existed only because the U.S needed Pakistan for its benefit.

What more evidence does our government want? Now that the U.S. is so
adamant on attacking our soil that it is clear that we are at war with the people we were fighting for. At least now the government spokespersons should not even attempt to pretend that all is well and that U.S is not involved in our internal affairs.

Under the current situation Pakistan must concentrate on guarding its independence and integrity. No more time should be wasted on nonissues like judiciary. The government has already wasted six months and now it is high time that it started delivering.

In these critical times our President must also demonstrate a responsible attitude and limit his visits abroad. If President Zardari is already finding the execution of his duties difficult then may be he should step down and let someone else take the office who will stay with the nation in hard times as well. It is highly demoralizing for any nation to see its leaders strolling abroad when the country is in a state of war. [THE LEADER OF THE JUNIOR COALITION PARTNER, MR. NAWAZ SHARIF, IS ALSO OUT OF THE COUNTRY.]

It would be better for Pakistan to take a firm stand against these threats before President Bush decides to determine our fate.


Ms. Qaiser is a first year student of BSc Economics at University College of Islamabad. She can be reached at rabiaqaiser@gmail.com