American Secretary of State John Kerry met with Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and his adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, in Islamabad. In addition to discussing the establishment of peace in Afghanistan and relations with India, the leaders also covered drones attacks and the energy crisis.
Speaking to the U.S. secretary of state, Prime Minister Sharif said that America needs to change its policy on drone attacks. He also called for granting Pakistani products access into U.S. markets. John Kerry promised help in the construction of the Bhasha Dam due to its role in controlling the energy crisis; he also said that a new era of strategic dialog between Pakistan and the U.S. would commence in six months.
Pakistan will prepare for this beforehand; it will be able to present its position regarding drone attacks and terrorism to America with strong arguments. It will seek a path to free itself from these issues that cause the country such distress. The Dera Ismail Khan attack has weakened Pakistan’s stance against drone attacks, since such incidents of terrorism in Pakistan are clearly attacks protesting the country’s independence.
On the other side, a statement from al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahari the other day, in which he mentioned extending help in an effort to release Aafia Siddiqi, strengthens the impression that Aafia Siddiqi had contacts with al Qaeda and was working for it. This statement will further toughen the U.S. stance regarding Aafia.
Meanwhile, the meeting held by U.S. secretary of state with the army chief and ISI chief, without the prime minister being present, perpetuated a tradition that should be totally discontinued in this era of a civilian government. In power now is a democratic government that holds the right of policy-making.
The prime minister asked for Pakistani products to be allowed access into American markets, which is a valid demand; its acceptance will have positive effects on the country’s economy.
If the completion of Bhasha Dam can be accelerated through US aid, then this also will lead to significant progress toward ending the country’s energy crisis.
How Pakistan presents its case and what concessions it is able to secure from America remains to be seen. In any case, John Kerry’s visit has created a bright possibility for improvement in relations between America and Pakistan. It was in the Nawaz-Kerry meeting that the decision to resume strategic dialog in six months was taken. An invitation to visit the White House was also extended to Nawaz Sharif which, undoubtedly, will contribute to furthering pleasant relations between the two countries.
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