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At School of Political and International Relations, Quaid-I-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad.
Under the auspices of Jahangir’s World Times (JWT) a Discussion Forum was organized at the School of Politics & International Relations in QAU, Islamabad. The discussion was chaired by Dr. Lubna Abid Ali the chairperson of the School of Politics & International Relations while Dr. Mehmood-ul-Hassan Butt, director student affairs was also present at the occasion. The students and the faculty members of ‘International Relations’ shared their views on the Pak-US relations in the aftermaths of the elimination of Osama Bin Ladin on 2nd May2011. Their arguments were logical, convincing and categorically sound. Actually, their views reflect some new dimensions of this ever long bilateral relationship which is an important chapter of ‘Foreign Policy of Pakistan. Thus, they applied their understanding of International Relations and relevant knowledge to analyze the overall deteriorated situation of Pak-US relations especially after the Abottabad operation.
Initiating the discussion, Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal Associate professor of School of Politics and International Relations said, ‘Today, we are here to discuss the Pak-US relations in the aftermaths of the elimination of Osama Bin Ladin on 2nd May, 2011 . If you see the revival of Pak-US relations after the 9/11 those were not based on solid foundations. No doubt we have the one commonality, the war against terrorism, but apart from that other determinants are not conducive for our bilateral relationship. If we see the present year 2011 there are four prominent indicators which we have to keep in mind 1. Emergence of new global power i.e. China, it has around $10 billion investment in Afghanistan. However, America needs India in Afghanistan as a counter check on China that is why India also has an investment of $2 billion. Now as far as Pakistan has a different perception with Chinese in Afghanistan we are comfortable but not with the Indians. 2. The issue of Raymond Davis, then 3rd one is the Abottabad operation and 4th is the recent attacks of NATO forces on our check post in the Mehmond Agency i.e Salala incident. Actually, these four factors deteriorated our relationship with the United States of America. Now in the present context we can see the Pakistan’s response at three levels first and the most tangible response is the vacation of the Shumsi Airbase Americans left it on 11 Dec then second one is we cut off the NATO supplies and the third one is diplomatic i.e. boycott of the ‘Boon Conference. Now if you see towards the US they are kept on giving us a response that the cooperation between the Pakistan and the US is inevitable for the stability of Afghanistan. But the problem is that Pakistan and United States see the stability in Afghanistan with different angles both have their own perceptions.
For instance, America thinks that Pakistan should built a pressure on Taliban by cutting their support from FATA for which they use the words save hideouts or sanctuaries and then they can negotiate with the Taliban from a position of strength. On the other hand Pakistan is of the opinion if you (US) have an option of dialogue then why not we. In fact, Pakistan thinks that American should have dialogue with the Taliban through them (Pak) so, these are the diverging perceptions of Pakistan and the US about Afghanistan. At the same time we can see that Americans have used the leverage of 700 millions$ aid but practically it is realized that 350 millions of the aid never reached Pakistan because of American aid system and out of that 350 millions to which extent military is dependent on this aid is a big question mark. There is a realization in Pakistan that the revenue which normally we collect from the vehicles carrying supply for the NATO forces in Afghanistan is only Rs 400 per vehicle so we have to raise it. Thus, we can see the effects of the descent in Pak-Us relations at global, regional and domestic level (Afghanistan). Now floor is opened for the students.
Ehsun Ali Zahid (IR 1st semester ): Pakistan should not boycott the ‘Bonn Conference’ instead by attending the conference along with some widows and orphan children of our soldiers who have been killed in the ‘Salala Attack’ would have greater impact on the world especially on the western media. By doing this we could ask the United States at Bonn in front of international community now answer these victims of the brutal attack? , are you (US) our ally or foe? Actually, in the modern world states also use propaganda as a tool for projection of their foreign policy. But I think our foreign office and other concerned institutions are unaware of this technique.
Asif Ali another student of IR 4th semester disagreed with the former speaker he said, ‘Pakistan’s absence can definitely make a difference US secretary of state Ms. Hillary Clinton also admitted that without Pakistan it would be difficult because Pakistan is the main actor in the Afghan issue so, the Bonn Conference can not be a boon for the Afghanistan issue without Pakistan.
A visiting faculty member of the department of IR also participated in the discussion and said, ‘Pak-US relations are highly dominated by the security interests and other aspects of this relationship are completely missing. So, any mishap in the realm of security quickly destabilizes the relationship as we are seeing now-a-days after the Salala incident. Here, in Pakistan there is a great misperception regarding America and in American society there are also misperceptions regarding Pakistani society. Thus, until and unless we would not develop or focus on the social aspects of the relationship we cannot achieve a cordial relationship.’
Zubair Sumro another student of IR 1st Semester spoke differently he said’ Traditionally, the US interest is based on its geo-strategic location of Pakistan instead in the society or people of Pakistan. In fact, the CIA and US government also know that they cannot have a dignified exit from Afghanistan without the help of Pakistan. Now in my opinion Pakistan’s response after Salala incident is adequate by all means. Interesting fact is this in the winter season the supply route Central Asia is not viable due to snow fall. Now we have to see how long Pakistan can stand with this response. Actually, they did this attack to gauge the Pakistan’s reaction.’
Rana Muhammad Dilawar student of IR 3rd semester highlighted another aspect he said. ‘Actually problem lies with us not with the Americans the reason is that we kept on changing our foreign policy after the happening of any unexpected incidents. In fact, our policy making mechanism lacks far sightedness as well as coordination among the concerned institutions and because of the institutional failure we always saw dominance of individuals in our foreign policy. Now this is the right time for the overhaul of our foreign Policy.
Sajad Malik another student of IR 3rd semester was looking elegant summed up the discussion he said, ‘I would say from the elimination of Osam Bin Ladin till salala incident clearly highlighted the trust deficit between Pakistan’s relationship with the United States. Moreover, in both countries civil and military leaderships are not at the same page but even than both are inevitable for each other. America needs Pakistan’s support during the withdrawal phase of its forces from Afghanistan while, for Pakistan US military and economic assistance is crucial. But in my opinion it is very important for Pakistan to redefine the terms of engagements with the US which should be based on mutual respect and strategic partnerships in real terms beyond the rhetoric of non-Nato ally. Thank you.
