What interests can you possibly secure from cowboys? This is a one way street where only Pakistan is expected to make all concessions and sacrifices. If you haven't learnt that by now...
Now before you go off on your sad, sorry narrative about how its a "one way street" for the poor Pakistanis, do realize the following:
- Most of Pakistan's strategic infrastructure has been a beneficiary of US largess. Think starting from Tarbela, Mangla dams to countless infrastructure projects that have been aided by US funding.
- Thousands of Pakistanis have benefitted from US scholarships and educational stipends both in country and overseas
- Millions of Pakistanis have avoided countless adolescent diseases on account of millions pumped into primary health care programs (include Polio, Malaria and Covid campaigns to this day)
- Millions spent on anti-narcotics programs within Pakistan
- Millions spent in support of Pakistani rescue efforts both in the 1970 Typhoon in EP and then in the 2005 EQ in the Northwest
- Millions of acres of land brought under cultivation thanks to US farming techniques, seeds and fertilizers
- Hundreds of NGOs with US funding to run basic health, educational and vocational programs for Pakistanis
- Training of Pakistani security forces, including paramilitary and police since 1953 and equipping with millions over many decades
And there are countless other sub-bullets to the above list. Of all the international partners, the US has assisted more than any other including China (close second).
As such, this has not been about "us making all concessions and sacrifices". We could have walked away in 1954, or 1981 or in 2001 but it was decided it was better for Pakistan to go with the US than to sit out. And guess who decided on this US tilt. It was both the Qauid-e-Azam and Liaquat Ali Khan. They had the vision to see an emerging power and realized that Pakistan should try to align.
By the way, on each of the above occasions highlighted by years, the situation for Pakistan was dire given the emerging threat and in the overall scheme of things, Pakistan made it out quite alright. It is just that we did not capitalize on what we received. Others like South Korea, Vietnam and obviously Japan and Germany are clearly examples of those who took and benefitted. We were too busy misusing and abusing the hand that gave. So let's learn to realize where the fault was.
