05-15-2009, 12:25 AM
<b>Mistrust in Pak-US relations</b>
By Iftikhar Ahmad | Published: May 12, 2009
There is dire need for confidence building and mutual trust to successfully meet the challenge of militancy and insurgency. West's mistrust and lack of required support contribute to Pakistan's growing troubles. Trust deficit has become a major source of fear and uncertainty. Excessive US interference in Pakistan's internal affairs and irresponsible statements of think tanks are a source of instability and a challenge to the writ of the state. This is worrisome for Pakistanis as the economy of the country is in shambles and human sufferings are on the increase mainly because of the War on Terror and its dangerous consequences for the security of the nation and its strategic assets.
Currently the US and Pakistan seem to be tuned to different frequencies.
Trust deficit is an important factor contributing to "do more" and "it's time to achieve more" debate particularly, in the context of War on Terror and issues related to the national security of Pakistan and the US. Observance of moral norms plus a rational American approach towards Pakistan would be a long-term relationship based on empathy, mutual trust and cooperation so that the people of Pakistan perceive the US as an ally with common goals and shared interests. It should be clearly understood that Pakistan has suffered tremendously in many ways and on many fronts ever since it became the frontline state in the War.
The US' economic aid to Pakistan was not even a significant fraction of Pakistan's economic losses. However the proposed conditional $1.5 billion a year Pak-aid legislation introduced in the US Congress is a good gesture (in line with Obama's new strategy) but it is nowhere near to compensation Pakistan should get. Pakistan needs economic and military aid to fight the militants and to meet the dangerous internal and external threats in the form of insurgency supported by foreign powers.
By Iftikhar Ahmad | Published: May 12, 2009
There is dire need for confidence building and mutual trust to successfully meet the challenge of militancy and insurgency. West's mistrust and lack of required support contribute to Pakistan's growing troubles. Trust deficit has become a major source of fear and uncertainty. Excessive US interference in Pakistan's internal affairs and irresponsible statements of think tanks are a source of instability and a challenge to the writ of the state. This is worrisome for Pakistanis as the economy of the country is in shambles and human sufferings are on the increase mainly because of the War on Terror and its dangerous consequences for the security of the nation and its strategic assets.
Currently the US and Pakistan seem to be tuned to different frequencies.
Trust deficit is an important factor contributing to "do more" and "it's time to achieve more" debate particularly, in the context of War on Terror and issues related to the national security of Pakistan and the US. Observance of moral norms plus a rational American approach towards Pakistan would be a long-term relationship based on empathy, mutual trust and cooperation so that the people of Pakistan perceive the US as an ally with common goals and shared interests. It should be clearly understood that Pakistan has suffered tremendously in many ways and on many fronts ever since it became the frontline state in the War.
The US' economic aid to Pakistan was not even a significant fraction of Pakistan's economic losses. However the proposed conditional $1.5 billion a year Pak-aid legislation introduced in the US Congress is a good gesture (in line with Obama's new strategy) but it is nowhere near to compensation Pakistan should get. Pakistan needs economic and military aid to fight the militants and to meet the dangerous internal and external threats in the form of insurgency supported by foreign powers.