As the pressure boils on the Raymond Davis issue, America has reportedly put on hold bilateral engagements and has suspended all high-level dialogueS with Pakistan. That America will want back a person whom she considers to be enjoying diplomatic immunity, has not come as a major surprise to anyone in Pakistan.
The foreign media has feared that any more delays from Pakistans side in releasing Davis to the US will result in dangerous repercussions, which Pakistan can ill-afford at this juncture. The obvious conclusion that the foreign experts derive is the cancellation of US aid from the KL Bill and military reimbursement to Pakistan.
What everyone forgets though is that Pakistan, fortunately, is not at the defensive this time around and the fears of economic difficulties are being poured in, just to pressurise Pakistan.
"One must not forget that Pakistan is fighting USAs war and the US can only corner Pakistan at its own peril. They are just doing so in order to put extra pressure on Pakistan by inducing fears of economic woes," told Shaista Tabassum, Head of International Relations at the University of Karachi.
Even if the US goes one step further to alienate Pakistan - the chances of which appear very slim - experts believe Pakistan can stand any sort of pressure like it did back in 1998 following the nuclear tests.
"The USA is just putting psychological pressure on Pakistan to which Pakistan should stand up and adopt a tit for tat policy. It is a wonderful opportunity for Pakistan to form new and natural strategic alliances with the dear old friend China," expressed Professor Shamim Akhtar, an expert on foreign affairs, to BR Research.
Another foreign affairs expert on condition of anonymity said that Pakistan should repeat what it did when Nato forces killed two of its FC personnel. The suspension of bilateral talks by America should be answered with a suspension of the supply line to Nato forces, without which the USA cannot operate for long.
Moreover, the PPP government is in no position to go against public opinion; rather, it has a chance to regain popularity if it withstands the US pressure.
The suicide of the widow of one of the victims has added fuel to the fire, making it increasingly difficult for the government to abide by US lobbies; and if it does, it would be termed as "the end of the beginning" for the government by experts.
What ends up happening is anyones guess, but given PPPs recent history to try and save the government at any cost, it seems highly unlikely that Obama administration will answer their demands positively. The dire economic consequences of the refusal just appear a far-fetched notion mostly based on fear than the probability of materialisation.
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