LAHORE – A webinar was held on “Reset of US-Pakistan Relations“, under the auspices of Chairman Ikram Sehgal of Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR).
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, explained Pakistan’s position as bridge between China and USA that Pakistan was a nation of 220 million people at crossroads of China, Middle East, South and Central Asia, that Pakistan evasions itself as a future hub for trade in the region. Although President Biden has strong insights into the dynamics, which had changed over the years. A key element is the role of India a source of instability as evidenced in the dossier handed over to the UN and other countries. That between the two countries there were shared interests, common aspirations for economic development and enhanced connectivity in the region. Thus a rare moment of hope for peace in Afghanistan, provided a strong foundation for both sides to take the bilateral relationship. Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for the private sector as seen by the profitability of MNCs, in Pakistan as compared to global averages. There is a need to have a fresh approach on all issues to have a meaningful dialogue with Mr. Biden’s regime. He added that our focus has shifted towards geo-economics which demanded peace in the region. We want a healthy relationship with India as well, but unfortunately the present regime in India has by their action vitiated that.”
Ambassador Robin Raphel, Former Assistant Secretary of State, highlighted that Pakistan was an important country and that insufficient support on Afghan issue, and lack of understanding between the two countries led to the double game narrative that both countries should interact truthfully that Pakistan is a country with a large human resource successful entrepreneurs, were endowed with great number of natural resources and its potential was its strategic position as very well known by the State Department and Pakistan must be addressed as such that more effort was needed at the higher levels in both Governments. She emphasized that the need to present a Pakistan’s softer positive image to USA.
Amb Zamir Akram, Former Ambassador mentioned that the cornerstone of relationship with USA was “National Security” and the relationship is tilted in favour of USA (large country).
Michael Kugelman, from Woodrow Wilson International Center, USA feared that USA may have difficulty in a high level of connectivity with Pakistan and its relationship with India may take precedence; however, joint collaboration on the Afghan peace and ISIS issues would remain a source at high level of connectivity between the two countries. Furthermore, he added, that there was scope in conjoining non-security matters such as climate change, cyber security, clean energy, public health and through this potential relationship would improve.
Amb Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Former Secretary Foreign Affairs and Director General, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) stated that the P2P relationships are stronger than the G2G, can play an important role.
Concluding Chairman Ikram Sehgal, stated that Pakistan’s role was critical as it has positioned itself as a neutral state in the region viz a viz. Iran and Saudi Arabia. There was a need for investment driven relationships.
