Qammer Abbass Anka
“Friendship is everyday, not just once it is convenient to you.”
Immediately after establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Pakistan’s chose to incline towards American block. It was also the need of US as it was looking for a ‘friend’ in the region to curtail the spread of communism in South Asia and to counter emerging China. A series of treaties like US-Pakistan Mutual Aid (May 1954); membership of SEATO (1954) and membership of CENTO (1955) shaped Pak-US mutual relations into strategic bonds. The United States decision to give military assistance and invite Pakistan to join military pacts was not merely an act of favour to newly emerged Pakistan. It rather was a bilateral requirement, may be more for US. The partnership was based on America’s threat perception of Communist attack and subversion in Middle East as well as South Asia. It was logical for America to think that Pakistan, given its unique geostrategic position could become one end of the northern tier opposing the Soviet Union in the Middle East and could provide protection to Southeast Asia on its Western flank.
Though Pakistan benefitted from American military alliance, However, Pakistan also had to face certain disadvantages arising from the same. One major disadvantage of Pakistan’s tilt towards America came in the shape of IOK issue being dragged by India. Similarly, the Soviet Union, which had initially maintained a neutral stand on Kashmir dispute, in 1955, accused Pakistan of becoming a member of “an aggressive Western alliance” and Mr. Khrushchev annoyingly started towing Indian line that Kashmir was an integral part of India. Subsequently, the Soviet Union vetoed every resolution on Kashmir to appease India. It was no small price for Pakistan.
Pakistan extended many lucrative favours to America over the years. Just to remind few. In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower requested Prime Minister Suharwardy to lease Peshawar Air Station to American Army to oversee Soviet Union and its ballistic missile programme. The request was granted by the Prime Minister. Moreover, Pakistan also assisted President Richard Nixon in making his first visit to Peoples’ Republic of China.
According to American House of Representatives, America benefitted a lot from its relationship with Pakistan. It was further said, “In its relations with other Moslem states and other members of the Afro-Asian block, Pakistan can be an efficacious advocate of Western policies and can exert a moderating influence on the extreme nationalism and anti-Western attitudes of some of the members of these groups.” unfortunately, Pakistan lost much more in its alliance with America. India criticized Pakistan for becoming a follower of America and the West. The hostility that Pakistan earned in the Arab world, particularly due to being the founding member of the ‘Baghdad Pact’, bitterly opposed by President Nasser, was too strong. Consequently the Arab World was not ready to support Pakistan in its stand on legitimate and UN backed Kashmir issue.
In the following years, Pak Us relations swung between good to tense depending upon America’s needs and compulsions. America once again desperately needed Pakistan in its campaign against USSR. The campaign had a major and indispensible role for Pakistan, which was extremely dangerous as well as demanding. The outfalls of its failure could be enormously devastating for Pakistan. Pakistan stood by US like a seasoned friend and earned America the coveted stature of single mighty super power. The price of this alliance which Pakistan is still paying in the shape of widespread terrorism all across the country was too high. After the collapse of USSR, the alliance absolved America fully but subjected Pakistan to an uncalled for international criticism for harbouring terrorism. Unfortunately, today America is also one of the major critics of the same.
Recognizing its international commitment, immediately after 9/11, Pakistan once again decided to join Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) led by America along with other Western countries. This participation was too costly to endure. The vendetta of terrorists against Pakistan for participation in GWOT surfaced in the shape of extreme wave of terrorism all over the country. The monster of terrorism which has consumed over sixty thousand lives, mostly of Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) is an unasked for reward for our efforts in fighting against Global terrorism. Pakistan’s contributions in international efforts in combating terrorism can not be over emphasized. Pakistan had set no limits in protecting as well as supporting ISAF during the entire period without caring for her own losses in terms of lives and property. Despite all efforts, sincerity and resolve to help restore peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan is still blamed by US of not doing enough and being asked to ‘Do more’. This is regrettable as well as ridiculous. If an extremely long ISAF and NATO led operation in Afghanistan employing massive resources could not restore peace in Afghanistan, how a small country like Pakistan, thickly engrossed in eradicating menace of terrorism from its own soil can be expected to safeguard streets of its neighbour.
Pakistan’s strong resolve to thwart menace of terrorism from its soil as well as from the globe in the form of Operation Zarb-e-Azb is on its way to successful culmination. The operation is against a highly cunning, agile and well equipped amorphous enemy which needs a befitting response both in terms of tactics as well as the technology. Realizing this ground reality, American Government had granted a subsidy of $430 Million on sale of 8 F-16s for use in war against terrorism. Unfortunately, like a fair weather friend, America relegated alliance with Pakistan to a lower priority and withdrew this subsidy. There could be many underlying reasons behind this development against Pakistan. This could happen either due to loss of ruling Government’s grip on State affairs, too much lobbying by Anti Pakistani groups or a sheer blackmail to accrue more from Pakistan. In either of the case, it is a serious blow to ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism and radicalization. The said F-16s are needed for sustaining war against terrorism. A deal which was agreed in the near past and now going for a six can only be a political gimmick for the fast approaching US presidential Elections. But why such political trick at the cost of Pakistan and its genuine needs. The subsidy of $430 million was allowed on the basis of Pakistan’s contributions in the war on terror. Deal is still intact but the favour of subsidy has been withdrawn and resultantly Pakistan has to pay the amount in full for the aircrafts. Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), stated that as per the deal, it is the responsibility of Obama administration to convince the Congress.
(To be Continued….)
