Options & Challenges in Pak-US relations
Staff Reporter
Pakistan is crucial to the US in its fight against terror and for stability in Afghanistan. This also makes Pakistan an important partner for the US for an indefinite future.
These views were expressed by former President, American University of Afghanistan, Dr Kenneth Holland while participating in a webinar on Thursday.
Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Area Study Centre for Africa, North & South America, at the Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad had organized the virtual panel discussion titled “Biden Administration: Options & Challenges for Pakistan-US Relations.”
The panelists included Dr Hassan Abbas, Professor, NDU, Washington D.C Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais, Professor Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, LUMS and Dr. Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, Associate Professor, University of Peshawar. The panel discussion was moderated by Director CSP Najam Rafique.
Dr Kenneth Holland was of the view that Pakistan had been a critical partner in every way for the US throughout the peace process. However, the importance may reduce once the US troops leave Afghanistan.
However, the US will continue its counter-terrorism mission in Afghanistan but over the horizon, and in this regard may require Pakistan’s help in the form of its bases to fight against ISIS and terrorists in Afghanistan.
Dr Hassan Abbas observed that counter-terrorism is no more a top priority of the Biden administration.
Washington’s interest in South Asia remains important, and the US is not walking out of the region but is only refocusing.
The security relationship between Pakistan and the US has been problematic throughout its existence. In this regard, US relations with Pakistan need to be rebooted.
Moreover, Pakistan continues to be an important country for the US and its stability is far more important than any other country in the region.
Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais while commenting on the post withdrawal situation in Afghanistan stated that the future of Kabul depends on how the endgame plays out in Afghanistan.
