THE Pakistan-US friendship has, with the passage of time, weakened and we are no more equals. A stark comparison can be drawn between Ayub Khan’s era and the present one. In 1961, President Ayub landed in Washington with all his glory. The US military forces were lined up to receive the president. There was fanfare and the Pakistani flag was above them.

The American public was present at the airport alongside the legendary President Kennedy who personally received President Ayub. The two presidents then drove together in the presidential limousine waving to the sea of people who had lined up to see the two head of states.

As Pakistanis we are mesmerised by such honour for our country, but then reality kicks in and we see the bland arrival of Nawaz Sharif who landed in Washington a few day ago. Two to three US army personnel alongside some less important US government officials were there to welcome the prime minister of Pakistan. Only a foot-long red carpet was there for him to walk on.

Sad was the fact that there were more Pakistani officials than Americans to welcome Mr Sharif. My point is further reiterated by the fact that President Barack Obama gave Mr Sharif an appointment for Oct 23 which was the third day of his four-day visit. It is natural for Pakistanis to be inquisitive and wonder as to why is Mr Sharif in Washington when the government says there are no high expectations.

But this dilemma is solved by a statement issued by the US government in which they announced to give aid to Pakistan. The statement confirming aid and the dull reception of Mr Sharif does not depict Pakistan as an important ally of the US.

WAQAR MUSTAQEEM
Karachi

Kashmir issue

THIS refers to the letter ‘US on Kashmir issue’ by S.M. Anwar (Oct 24). The Indian position is that the Simla Accord warrants resolving disputes with Pakistan through bilateral negotiations, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, frantic efforts by Pakistan in the past four decades were defeated owing to India’s obdurate stance; hence, tripartite resolution is a way out.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s suggestion was rejected by the Indian foreign minister before his meeting with President Barack Obama. It was a tactical error on the Pakistani side to divulge the important agenda before the meeting.

Mr Obama embarrassed Mr Sharif by his statement that Pakistan had not tried Jamaatud Dawah, which was involved in terrorism in India. It was out of place concern. Mr Obama believes Pakistan must resolve the Kashmir issue with India through bilateral talks. It is a failure of Pakistani diplomats and politicians who were not able to link the Afghan issue with the Kashmir issue and to persuade Washington to settle both simultaneously.

India would not resolve the Kashmir issue unless it feels pressure and there is no recourse. Nawaz Sharif lost the opportunity in his previous tenure in 1999. The Washington Post had reported that India suffered badly in Kargil and hundreds of bodies of Indian soldiers were coming from the mountains. It was creating anguish among the Indian public.

Mr Sharif went under diplomatic pressure and unilaterally decided to withdraw Pakistani troops from the peaks of Kargil valley without talks with India and US mediation in the dispute.

Mr Sharif, a businessman-turned-politician, depicts low-key approach, which doesn’t exhort enough pressure to yield strategic advantage. He said in his meeting with the US Congress that he came on the invitation of President Clinton and his oversight was not corrected.

Paradoxically, Validimir Putin is emerging as the new peacemaker in the world. He has subdued Obama in the Middle East. Recently, Putin offered Pakistan his support in resolving its problems and creating peace. It is time Mr Sharif settled the Kashmir issue through Russia and China if the US doesn’t realise the sensitivities of the pending issue between the two nuclear countries.

Peace and business between India and Pakistan is in the best economic and public interests of both countries to take them forward.

M. ALI CHISHTY
Saudi Arabia