Without the necktie, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pakistan’s new prime minister sported a rebellious look during his interactions at the UN’s annual diplomatic pilgrimage. But he still managed, with some suave, a diplomatic balancing act in confronting America without causing a rupture.
During his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 21, PM Abbasi didn’t name America or its new president even once. But he still landed some serious jabs at Donald Trump’s month-old South Asia policy.
The PM made clear Pakistan won’t be a “scapegoat” for the political and military stalemates in Afghanistan. He noted Pakistan’s human and economic losses incurred since the tragedy of 9/11 brought war to this region. Pakistan has lost over 27,000 people at the hands of extremists in the last sixteen years, he pointed out, besides economic losses in excess of $120 billion.
“What Pakistan is not prepared to do is to fight the Afghan war on Pakistan’s soil. Nor can we endorse any failed strategy that will prolong and intensify the suffering of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan and other regional countries,” the premier said.
The PM denied existence of Taliban ‘safe heavens’ in Pakistan, pointing the finger instead towards Afghanistan. As for a solution, he reiterated what Pakistan has been recommending for quite some time now. Go after the real terrorists: the IS, Al-Qaida and TTP militants. And engage with the Taliban for a political settlement.
Did the speaker get through to his intended audience? The statements PM Abbasi made in New York last week must have pleased the stakeholders back home, for he managed to sufficiently express, in a diplomatic manner, Pakistan’s displeasure over America’s militarized Afghan strategy. As for the external audience, the premier scored two key parleys: a brief meeting with the US president and a detailed discussion with the US vice president.
It is not clear how Washington will respond to the changed mood in Pakistan. Now that the bilateral bluster has cooled down, both sides seem ready to talk. The US has its grievances and Pakistan has also got a list of its own. To reduce the growing mistrust, the White House should stem the leaks that have recently suggested some sort of punitive actions are in the offing. As for Pakistan, it should play its hand in promoting negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the Kabul government.
Should Pakistan feel confident now, compared to a month ago when Trump publicly bashed Pakistan? Pakistan’s stance on an Afghan-led political settlement has since been reaffirmed by regional countries like China, Iran and Russia. Instead of berating Pakistan, White House is now saying Pakistan “has much to gain” from partnering with the US. And of course, US supply-lines to Afghanistan run through Pakistan.
But the latest diplomatic thaw with Washington mustn’t make Pakistan vain. A macroeconomic crisis is brewing, policy options are all painful, and a political transition taking place within a year can aggravate things. Amid a perfect storm for the economy, it will be unwise to be on the wrong side of America, which retains influence over multilateral lenders that have historically bailed Pakistan out in tough times.
On a side note, the premier’s speech mentioned Kashmir 17 times (the same number as Afghanistan) and referred to India and its alleged mischief 14 times. Surprisingly though, he made a sole, passing reference to the Rohingya refugee crisis that has displaced close to half a million Muslims in recent weeks. Was it because China had taken a visibly different stance on the matter, siding with Myanmar’s government?
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