ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States see the restart of Strategic Dialogue between them after a break of over three years as an important step towards re-engagement on key issues, though being modest in outcome.
A Pakistani delegation led by Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz travelled earlier this week to Washington to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry and his team for the first ministerial meeting since 2010.
The dialogue ended with an expression of commitment to Pakistan’s economic growth, increased trade, regional stability and mutually-determined measures to counter extremism and terrorism.
Pakistan had been specifically interested in getting enhanced market access to the US markets and assistance for its energy projects.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson, talking to journalists at the embassy, described the dialogue as a “successful attempt” to advancing the objective of a “stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan”. He said there was a desire in Washington to go forward and be supportive of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Ambassador to US Jalil Abbas Jilani, talking to Dawn over phone, said: “There was lot of positivity, whose manifestation was witnessed at every level.” He said bilateral relationship was going very well and “convergences were being developed”.
But, beyond the upbeat assessment given by the two envoys, the outcome has not been so exciting. The joint statement issued after the dialogue just speaks of more talks on trade and investment and assistance for the energy sector, but little or no concrete steps.
The upcoming meeting of the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council in March would look into ways for enhanced market access, though Pakistan says a precedent for such an arrangement already exists. Similarly, there were no big promises for the energy sector.
Mr Jilani said Pakistani side made a strong pitch for market access and emphasised that at every level.
A senior official of the power ministry, however, said: “US has in the past talked a lot about helping us in energy sector, but did practically nothing.”
Moreover, the future of civilian assistance programme (Kerry-Lugar Bill) and Coalition Support Fund (CSF) is uncertain. Both programmes are thought to be critical for the country’s ailing economy.
“We had little discussion about the future of KLB (aid), but no conclusions reached,” Mr Olson said, adding that KLB was mandated by the Congress and if something was to happen it would be done by the Congress. He didn’t either sound too reassuring about the CSF, saying, “We are giving some thoughts on possible way forward, but nothing to announce”.
He explained that the Strategic Dialogue “was not about deliverables” and was designed to ensure that the thinking in the two Capitals remained aligned by developing better understanding of the other partner.
But, even on that count the US concerns about cross-border terrorism haven’t been addressed. “We are concerned about cross-border militancy,” Amb Olson said.
He avoided endorsing Pakistan’s strategy for dealing with militancy through dialogue as he couched his response in diplomatic parlance and said: “US is supportive of Pakistan extending its writ over its territory, but it was up to Pakistan government how to do that.”