ISLAMABAD: A diplomatic outcast a year ago, Pakistan has become a trusted regional partner and a mediator between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, a remarkable transformation for the South Asian nation driven mostly by its powerful military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Munir has had several meetings with President Donald Trump, including an unprecedented one-on-one lunch at the White House, while the government has apprehended an Islamic State bomber accused of killing American troops and handed him over to the US
In other moves to restore the Islamic nation’s credibility, its diplomats have launched a sweeping outreach programme with world leaders, while consolidating ties with principal ally China. “Pakistan’s civil-military leadership has been on a charm offensive primarily balancing relations between the US and China as it seeks to employ a diversified foreign policy,” Arsla Jawaid, global risk analyst at Control Risks, told Reuters.
“All these efforts are beginning to show some signs of success.”
Since Osama bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in Pakistan in 2011, ties with the US and the West had plunged. The jailing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and accusations from Washington that Pakistan was supporting the Taliban behind the scenes during the 20-year Afghan war only made things worse.
On the economic front, Pakistan was perilously close to a debt default, until a new deal with the IMF was reached after tough negotiations about 18 months ago. Analysts and government officials cite two turning points in Pakistan rebuilding trust with Washington.
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