SINCE the rise of Hamas in 2006, conflict in the Middle East almost always takes a turn for the worse when the US holds primaries that finally lead to presidential elections. The Middle East crisis remained at the centre of the US election campaign. Various polls suggest that religious voters and Muslim, Arab and Jewish communities are motivated to make their choices. It can affect the election results in swing states. But the biggest challenge for a newly elected president would be to bring peace to the Middle East.
The US has a strong track record of standing by its allies in their most difficult times. It is not about Israel alone; Pakistan, the United Kingdom, countries of the European Union, Australia, etc. remained wartime allies of the US.
Before understanding relations between America and Pakistan, we must look at the late 1940s to understand the circumstances that compelled Pakistan to tilt towards the US instead of the Soviet Union. The Soviets initially invited the prime minister of Pakistan to visit the Soviet Union, but later that proposal was not utilized. Pakistan also struggled with problems involving the national economy, security and the Soviet influence on Afghanistan and Iran. This forced Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, to evolve a pro-Western and pro-US policy.
Since 1950 to date, the world has witnessed highs and lows in Pak-US relations, but both countries have continued to help each other in all difficult times. Pakistan was dismembered by India and the Soviet Union in 1971. Both wanted to remove it from the map of the world, but it was the then US President Richard Nixon who gave a warning to Indira Gandhi, who wanted to ‘finish the job’.
Declassified CIA intelligence documents reveal that “India intended to dismember Pakistan and destroy its armed forces, a possible loss of a US ally in the Cold War that the United States cannot afford to lose.” Nixon termed India a ‘Soviet stooge’ before ordering the Enterprise to lead the Task Force-74. The US government announced at the time that the task force would help evacuate Pakistani forces from East Pakistan following a ceasefire. In the 1980s, the US helped Pakistan and anti-Soviet fighters liberate Afghanistan. After 9/11 again, Pakistan and the US became allies in the war on terror and the US assisted Pakistan in all possible ways. The US not only enhanced military aid but civilian assistance was also made by the Kerry Lugar Bill.
Regarding civilian assistance programs, I would love to recall something worthwhile related to Pakistan-US relations and civilian assistance. Back in 2013, being director of Emergency and Accident (EAC) at PIMS, I had contacted different donor groups to help us out, but no one had come forward. Only the US sent its representatives to help the Pakistani people in the difficult time.
I know lots of people will have reservations when I say that the US is a friend of Pakistan. But it is an undeniable fact that, since 1947, the US has given to Pakistan more aid than any other country. Without any doubt, the US always rescued Pakistan during its tough moments. It is so sad that many Pakistanis believe that anti-Americanism is part of their nationalism. It is the duty of intellectuals to highlight the realities of Pakistan-US relations. Let us bury the notion of anti-Americanism being part of our nationalism. Common sense suggests that we remain friends with the US.
—The writer is a medical doctor and fitness geek and passionate about public health and human rights.
