Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the US not to view relations with Pakistan through the lens of Afghanistan or China, stressing that the two countries’ ties should stand on their own. Following Imran Khan’s allegations of a US-backed regime change conspiracy, ties between Pakistan and the US had taken a significant hit, and it was critical that the new government mend these relations, as the state of Pakistan should not-and not afford to suffer as a result of the irresponsible political shenanigans of a politician reeling from political defeat.
In a second audio leak involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Imran can be heard telling Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and his then-principal secretary Azam Khan that when discussing the transcript of Pakistan’s ambassador’s meeting with US official Donald Lu, no one should mention the United States (US). In the first audio leak, Imran Khan and Azam Khan decided to “play” with the cipher. The second audio leak appears to indicate that Imran knew exactly what the cipher was—the details of a routine meeting—but chose to label it as a foreign conspiracy for “regime change.” Most observers now believe if they didn’t before, that Imran was unconcerned about the risk he was putting Pakistan’s relations with the superpower at. All in the name of a desperate, but deftly crafted, political agenda.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with this paper, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome stated unequivocally that the regime change allegations are false, calling such conspiracy theories “unfortunate.” On the Pakistani side, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the US not to view relations with Pakistan through the lens of Afghanistan or China, stressing that the two countries’ ties should stand on their own. Following Imran Khan’s allegations of a US-backed regime change conspiracy, ties between Pakistan and the US had taken a significant hit, and it was critical that the new government mend these relations, as the state of Pakistan should not-and not afford to-suffer as a result of the irresponsible political shenanigans of a politician reeling from political defeat.
Relations between the United States and Pakistan have resurfaced for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the 75th anniversary of the two countries’ ties. The audio leaks related to the PTI’s much-touted “foreign conspiracy” mantra have also thrust the US into the spotlight. Whereas the PDM government appears eager for a fresh start, requesting that “bygones be bygones,” the US envoy has also hinted at a new era of bilateral ties. According to Ambassador Blome, all investments in Pakistan, whether American or Chinese, should be transparent and subject to the same scrutiny. Foreign policy analysts in Pakistan have repeatedly stated that the country and its leadership must maintain the strictest of balances when dealing with the world’s super and emerging powers. In this context, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto remarks to Zardari that not everything is about the geopolitical conflict between the US and China and that Pakistan should act as a bridge between China and the US, rather than exacerbating tensions or “being a geopolitical football,” have been encouraging. Pakistan must, in this time of great geopolitical division, focus on what is truly required, and perhaps insist on Mr. Bhutto’s approach of “uniting these two great powers around working together for climate change.” Pakistan and China have a strong relationship, and Pakistan has always attempted to strike a balance between its relations with the United States and its immediate neighbor, China. While the United States is a global superpower with interests in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, Pakistan has made it abundantly clear that it will not side with China under any circumstances. The country must continue to seek a middle ground in this battle between superpowers. We cannot afford to be isolated or subservient to either side.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with this paper, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome stated unequivocally that the regime change allegations are false, calling such conspiracy theories “unfortunate.” On the Pakistani side, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the US not to view relations with Pakistan through the lens of Afghanistan or China, stressing that the two countries’ ties should stand on their own. Following Imran Khan’s allegations of a US-backed regime change conspiracy, ties between Pakistan and the US had taken a significant hit, and it was critical that the new government mend these relations, as the state of Pakistan should not-and not afford to-suffer as a result of the irresponsible political shenanigans of a politician reeling from political defeat.
Relations between the United States and Pakistan have resurfaced for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the 75th anniversary of the two countries’ ties. The audio leaks related to the PTI’s much-touted “foreign conspiracy” mantra have also thrust the US into the spotlight. Whereas the PDM government appears eager for a fresh start, requesting that “bygones be bygones,” the US envoy has also hinted at a new era of bilateral ties. According to Ambassador Blome, all investments in Pakistan, whether American or Chinese, should be transparent and subject to the same scrutiny. Foreign policy analysts in Pakistan have repeatedly stated that the country and its leadership must maintain the strictest of balances when dealing with the world’s super and emerging powers. In this context, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto remarks to Zardari that not everything is about the geopolitical conflict between the US and China and that Pakistan should act as a bridge between China and the US, rather than exacerbating tensions or “being a geopolitical football,” have been encouraging. Pakistan must, in this time of great geopolitical division, focus on what is truly required, and perhaps insist on Mr. Bhutto’s approach of “uniting these two great powers around working together for climate change.” Pakistan and China have a strong relationship, and Pakistan has always attempted to strike a balance between its relations with the United States and its immediate neighbor, China. While the United States is a global superpower with interests in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, Pakistan has made it abundantly clear that it will not side with China under any circumstances. The country must continue to seek a middle ground in this battle between superpowers. We cannot afford to be isolated or subservient to either side.
