NATIONAL Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has said in an interview with VOA that Pakistan and the United States are engaged in a positive dialogue in order to remove the mistrust that overshadows their bilateral relations. The NSA disagreed with the suggestion that the two countries were on a collision course and their relations could worsen. He referred to the recent visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to Pakistan and said she was here so that the two sides could make an effort to remove the mistrust that exists at this point.

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These remarks by the NSA suggest that a concerted effort is being made to put Pakistan-US ties back on track. It is refreshing to hear the official acknowledge the presence of mistrust instead of pretending all is well. However, walking back to the era of cordial and friendly relations will not be easy. As is clear from the statements of various current and former officials in the US, Pakistan is in Washington’s cross hairs for a number of reasons.

The humiliating US withdrawal from Afghanistan is probably the foremost among them. These officials point a finger at Pakistan for helping the Afghan Taliban gain control of the country. Pakistan of course has solid reasons to rubbish such claims, especially given the fact that it is the US that first initiated a dialogue with the Taliban in Doha and then signed an agreement with them. If anyone has legitimised the Taliban, it is Washington itself. A blame game, however, suits neither country.

It is important to move beyond such acrimony and figure out how best to find common ground. The most obvious area is the counterterrorism needs of the US in Afghanistan. Some US officials have already admitted that Pakistan may be amenable to providing them air passage for counterterrorism operations. There could be further areas of cooperation that the two countries could agree upon. Pakistan should be more forthright in addressing the genuine needs that the US may have in the region. Similarly, the US should also recognise the interests that Pakistan has in the region. This relationship should not become hostage to the US-China rivalry that is intensifying with time.

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Pakistan needs to play its cards right. Incendiary and populist rhetoric from ministers should be avoided, and Prime Minister Imran Khan should also weigh his words carefully when giving statements and providing answers in interviews. The relationship is at a sensitive stage and it does not suit Pakistan to say or do anything to spoil matters further. Deeper engagement at every level is the only way to gradually reduce the mistrust that the NSA mentioned in the interview. The matter should also be taken to parliament so that policies are nourished by public opinion. Finally, the civil and military leaderships should be on the same page on Pakistan-US ties.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2021