In a shocking development, the United States has withheld $800m worth of military aid for Pakistan as part of its policy to put maximum pressure on the country, forcing it to toe American lines blindly throwing national interests in the dustbin. According to media reports, Washington has come out with a 10-point demand, two of which have already been met by Pakistan but the US wants fuller and faithful implementation of all.
The move confirms beyond any doubt that the United States is not a
dependable ally and never hesitates to stab in the back of otherwise declared friends and allies. Eversince its independence, Pakistan chose to align itself with the US-led West and joined CEATO and SENTO, earning wrath of the erstwhile super power Soviet Union and leading ultimately to its dismemberment. But in return Pakistan was betrayed by the West on all difficult moments and even spares of vital military equipment were blocked during wars when Pakistan's very existence was in danger. The United States imposed highly discriminatory sanctions against Pakistan because of its nuclear programme which proved counter-productive but Americans have not learnt the lesson and are treading the same path again. In fact, as CIA Director Leon Panetta had demonstrated his clear bias against Pakistan and as Defence Secretary he is taking the process to extreme limits.
The United States is much annoyed because of Pakistan's decision to cut down the strength of its military and other personnel, which Americans claim were trainers but in fact, were engaged in activities like that of Raymond Davis. If they were genuine 'trainers' then there was no cause for anxiety for the US but the way the issue is being agitated is manifestation of the fact that they were mere spies and nothing else. Dr Maleeha Lodhi, who served twice as Pakistan's ambassador to Washington, has rightly pointed out that the US will be repeating a historic blunder and hurting itself in the bargain by using a blunt instrument of policy at a time when it needs Pakistan's help to defeat al Qaeda.
Editorial, Pakistan Observer (Islamabad), July 12, 2011, http://www.pakobserver.net/201107/12/detailnews.asp?id=102599
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