THE response from the Senate, the army chief and others to President Donald Trump’s tirade against Pakistan was civilised and polite but firm. Whether the US acknowledges the fact or not, Pakistan has been the biggest sufferer in terms of lives and property in the US war on Afghanistan.

Withholding Coalition Support Fund is unfair and is an inadequate compensation by any standard considering the loss of lives and the drain on a poor country’s economy. The public perception is that it is hardly a US-Pakistan coalition, as the entire burden of fighting terrorism is being borne by Pakistan.

The American accusation that terrorists from Pakistan cross into Afghanistan and return after militant acts raises the question as to what are the US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan doing to stop them. Why can’t the US forces nab them instead of asking Pakistan to do more? In fact the US in their backyard has been unable to control its border with Mexico. They should fix their neighbourhood first before meddling in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Farhat Asrar
Karachi

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THE book, Magic of Dialogue, by Daniel Yankelovich, a social scientist, describes the magnitude of dialogue which can transform the violent and unlawful activities into peace and cooperation.

Since 2001, America’s self-centered policies in Afghanistan, aiming at achieving its national goals at the cost of other nations and world peace have only disturbed the balance of power in Asia and the Middle East. The proposed surge in Afghanistan to force Afghan Taliban into negotiations is not a viable option at all.

The war on terror can only be concluded successfully if America follows prudent policies and achieves regional consensus vis-à-vis China, Pakistan and Iran.

Pakistan, however, should react to President Trump’s policies in Afghanistan with prudence after giving the issue much thought. After all, what can stop Washington from walking away abruptly a third time.

Jalil Raza
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2017