General Raheel’s US Visit

Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has made a two-day visit to America, accompanied by the director of general military operations and the director of general interservice public relations. General Sharif met with General Lloyd Austin, the commander of U.S. Central Command, in Florida. He was also scheduled to meet with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and other high-ranking officials of the U.S. Defense Department and possibly members of Congress during his visit.

American and international media organizations have described the visit as significant because it is the first visit of any Pakistani army chief to the U.S. within the last four years.

The world, including the U.S., recognizes that Pakistan has a key role to play in the establishment of stability and peace in the region that cannot be disregarded.

Whether it is dealing with the evacuation of foreign troops from Afghanistan or operations against terrorists in North Waziristan, the positive role played by Pakistan has been recognized by the world. In the past as well, Pakistan has displayed amazing perseverance and suffered unprecedented sacrifice as the vanguard of U.S. and NATO troops, as the U.S. has acknowledged. Yet, the U.S. has chosen to overlook the loss of life and property suffered by Pakistan, and is seeking to delegate an important role to India — Pakistan’s traditional enemy — in the region, even though it is aware that India is waging a proxy war against Pakistan. India is responsible for daily bombings on Pakistan’s borders and for extending patronage to anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan. As a result of the latter, Pakistan has to also deal with separatist forces as it confronts terrorists in Baluchistan province.

Now, in the course of this extended visit of a Pakistani army chief to the U.S. — the first such visit to take place within a period of four years — it remains to be seen how committed the U.S. is toward its old defense partner. Whether or not the U.S. will provide substantial support for its defense, and the extent and nature of its cooperation in the war being waged by Pakistan against terrorists and anti-state elements, remains to be seen.

It is important that the Pakistani army chief clearly expresses our fears and needs to the U.S. relating to confrontation with India in addition to explaining our priorities and issues relating to national security. He also needs to prevail upon the U.S. to play its full role in Pakistan’s war against terrorism.

Currently, Pakistan is not in need of mere verbal recognition; it is in need of practical measures and support. This is a golden opportunity for the U.S. to survey the defense needs and problems of its old ally and take care of these needs, keeping in mind Pakistan’s special position. Only in this way can Pakistan meet the expectations America has for its close partner in the prolonged and grueling war against terrorism, and establish peace and stability in the region.