It’s a true testament to the significance of U.S. - PAK relations when you look back at how we have faced tough challenging periods in our bilateral relations, and successfully overcome them.
The much-looked-forward-to meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Obama ended on a positive note of strengthening bilateral ties even further. The meeting covered a myriad of topics of mutual interest relating to: energy, health, security trade, investment, business, and education. For the purpose of keeping this thread short, I will focus on energy, trade, and investment.
On trade and Investment: Frequently we receive comments from members of this forum about what the U.S. is doing to aid in trade and investment; below are some facts and highlights from the meetings:
U.S. – PAK will expand the 2013 Joint Action Plan on Trade and Investment.
U.S. is the largest bilateral export market and significant source of foreign direct investment for Pakistan.
OPIC has facilitated 800 million in financing and insurance for projects in Pakistan.
Trade and investment assistance is provided under TIFA agreement.
To facilitate regional trade, U.S. funded construction of 1000Km of major roads.
U.S. has contributed $15 million to development of CASA-1000 electricity transmission and Trade Project.
$60 million in financing for private businesses under the U.S.-PAK Partnership for Access to Credit and additional $150 million under Pakistan Private Investment Initiative.
On Energy: In 5 years, the new U.S.-Pakistan Clean Energy Partnership (USCEP) will aid in adding 3,000 MW of clean power generation infrastructure to Pakistan’s national electricity. Since 2009, USG has helped add approximately 1,700 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Pakistan’s grid system, benefitting nearly 19 million Pakistanis.
The common man in Pakistan has yet to see ANY of these benefits in their day-to-day life.
It would be better if:
-US denies visas and settlements to politicians of Pakistan who loot the Pakistani taxpayer
-Refuse medical treatments and travel to Pakistani politicians/military elite so they are FORCED to seek it in Pakistan, maybe then they will MAKE similar facilities in their own country
-Return all of corruption money in US-accounts of Pakistani politicians
-Deport settled family of such corrupt Pakistani elite (military or politicians or bureaucrats)
Until or unless this happens, all these talks, conferences, meetings, etc are USELESS to the common man of Pakistan
US has a tough time ahead for “winning hearts and minds” in Pakistan. Along with investment, it might require a big shift in US foreign policy. It seems clear that despite the financial support, which as someone mentioned, doesnt seem to do much but feed into the inherent corruption among the Pakistani elite, the negative perceptions around the US foreign policy continues to hinder the relationship.
Haroon Mian, time for US to officially say sorry to Pakistan for leaving Afghanistan in the hands of young, zealous and inexperience Mujahideen in 1989.
aap tou chalay gaye Soviet Union tor kar, Pakistan ka band bach gaya peechay.
US gotta take some responsibility for the mess Pakistan is in today. Rest lies on us.