Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif after visiting China, Iran and Turkey in a short succession is now visiting United States in order to highlight the sacrifices of Pakistan in war against terror. Pakistan strongly condemned statement of US President Donald Trump in August as he announced South Asia policy in which he lambasting Pakistan for providing safe-havens to “agents of chaos”, Trump further went on to say that Pakistan has much to gain by working with US.
At that time it was perceived that there is dire need to make the world realize about the sacrifices Pakistan rendered in fighting the war against terror. It was unfortunate that despite successfully successful efforts of Pakistan to eliminate terrorism, country was being criticized. Better late than never and sane decision was taken to further accelerate the efforts to make the world realize about sacrifices of Pakistan fighting menace of terror. In contrast to many other countries, Pakistan has achieved great success in war against terror.
In recent visit of US, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif in a meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that he believed the United States had a reliable partner in Pakistan, but reservations of Pakistan must also be addressed. The top US diplomat said that US-Pakistan relationship held extraordinary importance in the region. Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had pursued zero-tolerance and indiscriminate approach in its campaign against all terrorist and militant groups. The secretary of state added that US would be working very hard at all levels, from the State Department to the Defence Department to intelligence communities, as well as economic opportunities to further strengthen bilateral relations with Pakistan.
It is better development that Pakistan expressed the sentiments of strong public reaction to the US administration’s South Asia Policy, in which Pakistan’s sterling contribution in the fight against terrorism was undermined. As per Pakistan embassy, Secretary Tillerson had acknowledged and appreciated the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the struggle against terrorism and Pakistan’s interests and concerns would be accommodated. It would be a better approach if US policy makers think so, else it would be next to impossible for US to isolate a key regional player like Pakistan and defeat terrorism in the region.