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Despite economic instability and a relatively derailed law and order situation, Pakistan had never been in a vulnerable position as it is by participating as an active American ally in the global war on terror.
It is believed that the magnitude of reward received for a certain behavior reinforces the response of any individual or a group which indicates that the series of negative statements issued by the US after the Pakistan governments refusal to launch an offensive in NWA immediately after the military operation in SWA due to national security concerns, has gone a long way to reverse and disrupt the US agenda of winning the hearts and minds of people.
The lack of strategic diplomacy on the part of the US is apparent as Pakistan is found inadequate in keeping the American security interests superior and prior to even its own concerns. US admiral Mike Mullen had specially made this the central theme on his nineteenth visit to Islamabad in the past two years.
The US acknowledgement of the fact that the Pakistan military and government have not received enough appreciation for the sacrifices they are making (for America) is always underlined by suspicion as a recent report issued by the American armed forces service has noted that the Pakistani effort was not perfect. In addition, Hillary's reiteration of her prior warning that threatened Pakistan of serious consequences and a visible inclination towards India has widened the trust deficit to a massive degree.
The US has to understand that being a critical ally, Pakistan has internal problems of grave magnitude that have to lie central to its interests and that the US's inability to address real live issues of Pakistan is hazardous for its image in the Muslim world. A more generous and mature stance has to be adopted by the US in order to gain the support from the people of Pakistan so that the much sought after peace is achieved in the region that would be in the best interest of the Pakistan and the US.
Lubna Umar, Islamabad
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