Hope US considers Pakistan 'ally from heaven', says Sartaj Aziz in Washington

[LeGenD]

What is the definition of overwhelming majority in your dictionary?

Anti-Americanism is not as severe in Pakistan as you tend to believe. Much of it is rooted in lack of understanding of the ground realities of the world at large. However, many who speak against the US, do not hate it to an extent that they desire nothing short of termination of Pak-US relationship. You are deluding yourself, if you think otherwise.

Pakistan cannot afford enmity of the US, period. Even if an individual like Imran Khan comes to power, he will have to work with the US for the sake of Pakistan's national interests.

Again, both countries are lacking in people-to-people level contact. Situation will not change much unless people-to-people level contact increases.

Difference between the Indians and Pakistani is that Indians attempt to connect with the Americans on a much greater scale then Pakistani.

There are many Syrian refugees who are trying to get to those countries who are actually responsible for their present misery, plainly due to economical reasons. What your argument about Green card to do with the perception about America?

Why people want to go to US? For better earning prospects.

I am pointing out a fact that 'speaking against the US' doesn't implies much. A large number of people might speak against the US but they won't hesitate to work in the US, if they are granted such an opportunity. Pakistan doesn't have shortage of these kind of people.

You ask "how many". Again I would say trust our custodians. We didn't choose this path to nuclear road out of gaining status symbol or power projection. It was imposed upon us. You are giving impression as you don't trust our strategic planners.

Nuclear weapons are a necessary evil for Pakistan under present circumstances. No objection over this fact.

My point is that Pakistan have achieved MAD with India in the area of power projection. Building more nuclear weapons is not a fundamental requirement anymore; if this development is not halted, it will raise more eyebrows and invite unwanted attention.

Pakistan should define a cap for its nuclear stockpile and call it a day; but the 'military establishment' will always want more. So when do we draw a line? When it is too late?

India appeal to America and it's justifications are of no use to me as Pakistani. I only see strong India as a threat to Pakistan's national security. Whoever is propping India up is doing no favours to Pakistan.

Pakistan and India should attempt to resolve their enmity. Otherwise, foreign powers will continue to exploit this enmity.

Divide and conquer? Remember?

Our defence budget is not solely for nukes it covers all the three services. And considering the threats to our state and all the proxy wars that forigen powers are indulging in our territory in guise of wot, the defence budget is really meager. Your argument is non starter, or shall I say in wrong pretext. When you got politicians who can easily qualify to be the richest people on the planet, the recovery of I'll gotten money alone can solve majorit of our financial problems.

Bro, I tend to be informed about the ground realities of the region. It is basic knowledge that the defense budget covers all aspects of national security of a country.

FYI; about 60% of the national defense budget is utilized for funding the nuclear program of the country; it is a multi-billion dollar venture.

Ever wondered why Pakistan gets exploited? Due to its internal problems (rivalry among Pakistani factions/organizations/individuals) and ill-advised Afghan policy.

My argument is about the practicality of increasing the nuclear stockpile. I am not against the efforts to strengthen military capability of the country with passage of time; this is important for any country that faces significant geopolitical challenges. My point of contention is that Pakistan should define a cap for its nuclear stockpile and call it a day.

Economy, industry and infrastructure are the major challenges/issues/requirements at present. These should be prioritized over nukes.

On a side note: our politicians are far from the richest people on Earth; they have undoubtedly amassed considerable wealth with passage of time but declaring them as the richest people on Earth is really overstretching it. Check this information: The World's Billionaires List - Forbes (see any Pakistani in the list?)

Yes, addressing the menace of corruption is extremely important; but easier said then done. A large segment of the society is corrupt unfortunately (not just the politicians).

 

[VCheng]

US never reached out to Pakistanis it always reached out to our 300 odd elite families to control us hence US is widely hated in Pakistan for its foreign policy. US needs to learn to change its policies, invest in Pakistani youth instead and see the relationship grow.

Sir, shouldn't it primarily be Pakistan that should be investing in its own youth? Why should others do so, when Pakistan itself chooses to spend its own resources on other things?

 

[tarrar]

I don't believe in US friendship as US has back stabbed Pakistan many times.

 

[ConcealCarry]

Why so? China is already a strong ally of Pakistan, and Pakistan of China. He is talking about Americans perception of considering Pakistan as their ally from heaven.

You really suck at comprehension, or may be just being an indian

Even today, Pakistan wants US to consider Pakistan to be its ally from heaven, says a lot about China as an ally.

 

[Taimoor Khan]

Anti-Americanism is not as severe in Pakistan as you tend to believe. Much of it is rooted in lack of understanding of the ground realities of the world at large. However, many who speak against the US, do not hate it to an extent that they desire nothing short of termination of Pak-US relationship. You are deluding yourself, if you think otherwise.

Pakistan cannot afford enmity of the US, period. Even if an individual like Imran Khan comes to power, he will have to work with the US for the sake of Pakistan's national interests.

Again, both countries are lacking in people-to-people level contact. Situation will not change much unless people-to-people level contact increases.

Difference between the Indians and Pakistani is that Indians attempt to connect with the Americans on a much greater scale then Pakistani.


Why people want to go to US? For better earning prospects.

I am pointing out a fact that 'speaking against the US' doesn't implies much. A large number of people might speak against the US but they won't hesitate to work in the US, if they are granted such an opportunity. Pakistan doesn't have shortage of these kind of people.


Nuclear weapons are a necessary evil for Pakistan under present circumstances. No objection over this fact.

My point is that Pakistan have achieved MAD with India in the area of power projection. Building more nuclear weapons is not a fundamental requirement anymore; if this development is not halted, it will raise more eyebrows and invite unwanted attention.

Pakistan should define a cap for its nuclear stockpile and call it a day; but the 'military establishment' will always want more. So when do we draw a line? When it is too late?


Pakistan and India should attempt to resolve their enmity. Otherwise, foreign powers will continue to exploit this enmity.

Divide and conquer? Remember?


Bro, I tend to be informed about the ground realities of the region. It is basic knowledge that the defense budget covers all aspects of national security of a country.

FYI; about 60% of the national defense budget is utilized for funding the nuclear program of the country; it is a multi-billion dollar venture.

Ever wondered why Pakistan gets exploited? Due to its internal problems (rivalry among Pakistani factions/organizations/individuals) and ill-advised Afghan policy.

My argument is about the practicality of increasing the nuclear stockpile. I am not against the efforts to strengthen military capability of the country with passage of time; this is important for any country that faces significant geopolitical challenges. My point of contention is that Pakistan should define a cap for its nuclear stockpile and call it a day.

Economy, industry and infrastructure are the major challenges/issues/requirements at present. These should be prioritized over nukes.

On a side note: our politicians are far from the richest people on Earth; they have undoubtedly amassed considerable wealth with passage of time but declaring them as the richest people on Earth is really overstretching it. Check this information: The World's Billionaires List - Forbes (see any Pakistani in the list?)

Yes, addressing the menace of corruption is extremely important; but easier said then done. A large segment of the society is corrupt unfortunately (not just the politicians).

It seems we are agreeing to disagree. I know the ground reality in Pakistan and strong anti American sentiments but you believe it's all hunky dory. Thus is perhaps the reason why America keeps on doing the same mistake over and over again, perhaps in arrogance when it comes to its relations with Pakistan. Complete lack of understanding of present Pakistani psyche and mind set.

I don't know how old are you but back in 60s and 70s Pakistan used to hosts from Hollywood celebrities to hippy crackpots. People to people contact, been there done that. That is not the issue. The cabal that run America from behind the scene will never come to terms with a strong Pakistan.

MAD is not a static doctrine. It will change according to the circumstances. It's like a weigh where you maintain the equilibrium by putting equal number of weights on both sides. Slight change of wreaths on the one side will cause the tilt. Thanks to American nuke deal, India has got free hand to divert it's all local produced fissile material towards bomb making. Pakistan has to react to maintain the balance. I am actually quite amazed to see people are so clueless and not understanding how America has back stabbed Pakistan and caused a major threat to Pakistan national security by propping India up against Pakistan.

According to his highness Mr Ishaq Dar the current finance Minister, there is about if I remember correctly somewhere around 300 yo 400 billion dollars lying in swiz banks of corrupt elite of Pakistan. And here you are moaning about 1 billion spend on PakistanI nuke program. Wrong priories or focus I would say. The list you mention, trust me, the likes of Zardari and nawaz will not be mentioned there. Rest assured they alone can put to shame all of these so called super rich.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Even today, Pakistan wants US to consider Pakistan to be its ally from heaven, says a lot about China as an ally.

No, it just says a lot about the global standing and influence of the US as the strongest military, economic and cultural powerhouse in human history, that no single nation will surpass in the next century.

 

[ito]

No, it just says a lot about the global standing and influence of the US as the strongest military, economic and cultural powerhouse in human history, that no single nation will surpass in the next century.

Yes, you are correct. But more than military and economic factors what makes US powerful is the enormous influence it can wield on other countries and its hold on bodies such as UN, IMF and World Bank.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Yes, you are correct. But more than military and economic factors what makes US powerful is the enormous influence it can wield on other countries and its hold on bodies such as UN, IMF and World Bank.

The influence the US wields on other nations and world bodies is a result of her unparalleled economic and military superiority - we're saying the same thing here. Pakistan's courting of the US is an acknowledgment of that reality, it isn't a reflection on the China-Pakistan alliance/relationship.

 

[cloud4000]

I don't believe in US friendship as US has back stabbed Pakistan many times.

This feeling is mutual.

 

[ito]

The influence the US wields on other nations and world bodies is a result of her unparalleled economic and military superiority - we're saying the same thing here. Pakistan's courting of the US is an acknowledgment of that reality, it isn't a reflection on the China-Pakistan alliance/relationship.

I would not call US anymore an unparalleled economic power. Even its military reach is decreasing at much faster rate and has to depend on countries such as India, Japan to counter China. Even in space supremacy, technology innovation other countries are fast catching

However, its influence is still intact. Pakistan can get capital and military equipment from China, but can it for example use China to influence India to bring India to table, but still US has the power to influence India to tables.