The Pakistani Spectator

Recently circulated ‘National Security Strategy’ document by the White House radiates good omens for Pakistan.  There are prospects of long term constructive engagement between the two countries. However, almost simultaneously ‘The Washington Post’ has carried a story that the United States military is studying options for a ‘unilateral strike’ in Pakistan in the event that a successful attack on American soil is traced to Pakistan’s tribal areas. Presumably the story was a deliberate leak by the administration to pressurize Pakistan for taking an immediate military action in North Waziristan.

One is not sure whether this media gambit would achieve the desired result in the context of North Waziristan, but certainly it torpedoed a chance for earning public good will, which sinking in of a good National Security Strategy could have accrued for the United States.

It is always interesting to follow Pak-US rations, which is an intriguing mosaic of realism and emotionalism. Perpetually busting at the seams; yet readily repairable. Jockeying of bilateral relations between these two ends of the spectrum is often perplexingly fast; akin to a typical stock market functioning. Pakistani public tends to view these relations through a prism of traditional oriental emotionalism; whereas Americans tend to gauge it through a text book real politick goggle. No wonders the perceptions by the two sides have little overlapping.

An analysis of these relations at various tiers, reveal fascinating patterns, criss-crossing each other, operating something like wheels within wheels. American administration, congress and public opinion, as reflected by media, view these relations from their respective perspective.

At government to government level, generally the working relations have been fairy stable and satisfactory. Irrespective of the party in White House, efforts have generally been made to stay constructively engaged with Pakistan, notwithstanding aberrations. Likewise, from Pakistani side a deliberate effort is always visible from the government side to shield these relations from critical, and at times hostile, public opinion. These days, such an effort is discernable on the issue of drone attacks.

Ever since SEATO, CENTO days, Pak-US relations have survived a number of stumbling blocks. These bilateral relations are to the advantage of both sides. So, both the governments have learnt to live with varied interpretations of legislative and legal instruments. Almost all bilateral documents of understanding have had different interpretations for the consumption of American and Pakistani consumers; yet these inhibitions have never caused a critical rupture in bilateral ties. And after each rumpus both sides manage to live happily thereafter. Kerry-Lugar episode is a recent example.

Traditionally, Congress has been the ripple generating forum; it is perceived in Pakistan as an institution looking out for a chance to portray Pakistan negatively, and eager to attach strings to the facilities that the administration envisions to extend to Pakistan. Moreover, congress opinion has always been construed as swayable by lobbyists. Sponsors of anti-Pakistan strictures in the congress like Glenn, Symington, Pressler, Brown, and Kerry-Lugar etc are house-hold names in Pakistan, with negative tags. Though the intent of some of these legislators was to provide relief to Pakistan under difficult circumstances, through country specific legislation.

American media also has its share in shaping the relations. Government sponsored leaks, independent as well as interest motivated media coverage make a composite effect. Public opinion in Pakistan is significantly influenced by American media, which has larger than life size representation of naturalized Indians. This group is by default primed to act as spoilers. Hence, it is not surprising that most of the negative reporting regarding Pakistan is directly or indirectly authored or advanced by this group.

This phenomenon causes a reverse wave effect in Pakistan. Almost every negative media report originating from America creates a counter frenzy here. By the time clarifications start coming in, the damage is done. It is happening with such a frequency and regularity that there is neither any dearth of anti-Pakistan reporting by American media nor that of anti America sentiment in Pakistan, at least at a common man level.

This negative image projection is so sticky that the segments of our society who evaluate Pak-US relations only on the basis of American media inputs tend to miss so many well meaning steps being taken by so many other government and non-government agencies of America. This approach reinforces the ‘Ugly American’ legacy; which is certainly a distorted perception.

Next is Pakistani intelligentsia, this small but influential constituency tries to form its own opinions on the basis of multiple inputs. Shades that such opinions carry are based on the equitable or otherwise access of these individuals or institutions to various sources of information. Convictions formed by elements of intelligentsia vary from finding faults with America, to blaming Pakistan’s eagerness to have a role much larger than its strategic strength. However, apart from a razor thin minority clinging to these two extremes, majority is convinced about the necessity of sustained viable relations between the two states. Pakistani intelligentsia is always busy in finding middle ground during each crisis like situation.

Since the conclusion of ‘Strategic Dialogue’ between the two countries, the relations appear to have moved on to right track, trust deficit has reduced rapidly. It appears that both sides have begun to take care of each other’s sensitivities.  Overall handling of “Time Square” episode has been satisfactory, barring the initial knee jerk reactions, which were like a flash flood, trying to wash aside the impact of good work that had been done during strategic dialogue days.

United States and Pakistan are fighting a common foe. Pakistani nation has made tremendous sacrifices to stem out terrorists. People of Pakistan do not Subscribe to the way of living that extremists claim to promote. Our tribal population has gone through the agony of leaving their homes, more than once, to facilitate unhindered military operations against extremists. All these efforts by Pakistani nation are duly acknowledged by the comity of nations, yet in Pak-US context these get overshadowed by clumsy rhetoric.

There is a need to elevate Pak-US relations above the level of day to day firefighting. Institutional frameworks need to be strengthened to close the gaps which are often exploited by speculative rumor mills. Being a bigger country the onus of bringing maturity to Pak-US relations rest mainly with America.