The PM loses a gold opportunity

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 16, 2021: Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared to be off-color, nervous, and confused in an interview by Becky Anderson, Zeena Saifi, and Helen Regan. Despite his advocacy of Rumi, Imran Khan’s interview was characterized by “negativity” especially while commenting on Pak-US relations. He went on to describe the Pak-US relationship as “terrible” and disastrous.”

Ostensibly, Imran Khan was hurt when US President Joe Biden refused to talk to him. In a surprising answer to a question as to why Joe Biden refused to talk to him, Imran Khan said amusingly, “He is a busy man.” Evidently, this answer is rude in diplomacy. You are here to activate the bilateral relations and not to score a point with a sitting President of the United States.

You can interact with so many important leaders like Secretary of the State Antony Blinkin and Secretary Defense Gen. Lloyd Austin.

Pakistan still holds the title of the Most favored Nation of the United States outside the NATO.

There is the Kerry-Luger Bill of 2009 which aims at enhancing the partnership with Pakistan. According to the bill, Pakistan would receive $2 billion annually. Additionally, John Kerry who is a co-author of the bill showed interest in payment $9 billion of the suspended dues of the Pakistani army from the Support Coalition Fund (SCF).

More importantly, there is

2001 agreement between the United States and Pakistan which stipulates allowing to US military to use Pakistan airspace and ground access in the fight against terrorism. It is an agreement without a time limit.

Furthermore, the US Charge d’ Affairs a.i. Angela Aggeler and her entire team are working hard to promote bilateral relations in virtually every field. Ms. Aggeler is held by the highest esteem as evident from her warm welcome whenever she visited the GHQ.

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Rumi.