THIS is apropos of your editorial ‘Shamsi air base’ (July 2). This critical issue and subsequent remarks by the defence minister have commenced a new round of recriminations by officials on both sides, thereby deteriorating an atmosphere of peace which is marred owing to the divergence of views on various issues.

This year has proved to be a turbulent one for Pakistan in terms of its relations with the US. The relation between the two countries remained unreceptive owing to mutual distrust and differences on various key issues, including the Afghan endgame and operation in North Wazirstan.

Moreover, the secret operation by the CIA added fuel to the fire, thus bringing relations to its lowest ebb. This predicament has also led to deepen the crisis between military institutions of both countries, thus providing an opportunity to Congress members to ask their government to review all types of aid given to Pakistan be it military or civilian.

Similarly, the mystery surrounding the issue of Shamsi base has led to the start of another heated debate between the two countries as discernible from the comments of Ahmed Mukhtar and subsequent refusal by US authorities to vacate the base.

Moreover, it raises questions about the ownership of the base, demanding prompt reply from Pakistani authorities to pacify public sentiment. The plain refusal by US authorities and threatening remarks given by them following this issue depict the nature of the relationship between the two countries which has become patron-client type.

This also enunciates the US has established its strong roots in Pakistan in the from of inflow of various CIA operatives and any statement inimical to US interests urges them to use a threatening tone to further their objectives.

Therefore, this grim situation demands that the Pakistani authorities come clean on the issue of Shamsi base and unearth all the present and previous agreements.

Similarly, it is time to review all agreements with the US. Be it on the issue of providing logistics routes to Nato containers, issuing visas to secret CIA operatives or carrying out a military operation in Fata.

At the same time the government should persuade the US to review its drone policy which has backfired, thus providing a breeding ground to terrorists.

Finally, the US should also be convinced to include all stakeholders of the region in the reconciliation process and demographic realities of the country should be given attention to. This process can bring peace and stability to the war-tornregion, thereby establishing stability in Pakistan too.

MUHAMMAD MAAZ ZAFARSahiwal