The U.S.-Pakistan relationship, often characterized as a roller coaster ride for its alternate phases of close engagement and estrangement, once again appears to be at a crossroads.
President Donald Trump is seeking to wrap up the Afghan war – a key reason for post-9/11 close engagement and a driver of narrative about the U.S.-Pakistan cooperation – with the help of Pakistan-assisted peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan, which has long relied on U.S. economic and security assistance and is poised to be a pivotal strategic route for China’s Belt and Road initiative, is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis under Prime Minister Imran Khan as Islamabad struggles to cope with ramifications of decades-long inaction on reforms.
With Islamabad’s influence waning on the U.S.-Pakistan interdependence scale, and Washington focused on friendship with India and dcompetition with China, the two sides face the familiar question whether they would be able to take forward the relationship on its own bilateral potential.
The questions weighed on many minds, when Pakistani-American Political Action Committee hosted an Iftar, attended by several Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
“We feel committed to the New Pakistan, one that emphasizes the importance of youth, growth, prosperity and energy,” Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, co-founder of the Pakistani Congressional Caucus, said.
“I do want the United States to continue to engage with Pakistan,” added Lee, who is engaged in reviving the Pakistani caucus, which once had several members from both Democratic and Republican parties during the last decade. But it lost its momentum. Now in the reconstituted Caucus for 116th Congress has two co-chairs including Republican Jim Blanks.
The Pakistan Caucus, she said, has been telling the story on the Hill about the South Asian country’s counterterrorism efforts and its military sacrifices for peace in the region.
“For that reason, many in the United States government understand the role Pakistan is playing and has played. What we want is the best for the people of the region, and that is what we will continue to work for.”
Other members, who attended the event in the backdrop of Capitol Hill, also expressed their support for an enduring U.S.-Pakistan relationship.
“We are all so much better, when we work together…. We have so much in common than we do in our differences,” Republican Congressman and a retired general Jack Bergman said while favoring a cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan.
“We have a historical relationship with Pakistan, and we know the challenges that have globally. We have to make sure that we as the United States open up our dialogue to everyone, who wants to sit down at a collective table and then talk about what we need to do about the world to not only survive but to thrive.”
As keynote speaker, Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University, appreciated PAKPAC for hosting the event as a platform to advance dialogue.
Ahmed, who is the author of several books including The Thistle and the Drone, asked Pakistani-Americans to step up their efforts to be part of the narrative through engagement with the media and activism. He argued that the community’s participation in discussions, engagement with mainstream America and telling their success stories will help elevate the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.
PAKPAC Board members Image Credit: Rao Kamran Ali
Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi, head of the The Commongrounds interfaith organization, spoke about Prof. Akbar Ahmed’s scholarly contributions and the importance of the two countries to working together. He applauded PAKPAC leadership for the Iftar initiative.
The event highlighted the important role that Pakistani-Americans can play in bringing the two countries together as it drew a significant presence of House members including Congressman Tim Banks, Congressman Mike Turner, Congressman Jack Bergman, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congresswoman Susan wild, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorti.
Mrs Riffat Chughtai, the PAKPAC founder, presented Diplomatic Leadership Award to Prof. Akbar Ahmed. Jalil Khan, the president of the Committee welcomed lawmakers and members of the community to the event while, Rao Karman Ali, the newly elected PAKPAC leader, vowed to make it a dynamic organization. The organizers included several Pakistani-American achievers including Dr. Rashid Chotani, Dr. Umer Farooq and Iman Malik.
