High-Level Pak-US Strategic Dialogue

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated about high-level Pak-US strategic dialogue that the United States will provide $125 million assistance to Pakistan. Moreover, the United States has also assured Pakistan cooperation in thermal power projects and giving Pakistani goods access to US markets. She has stated many others areas of cooperation and assistance.

Dialogue's result depends on General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan Army chief's negotiations. He is at the back. Kayani is sincere to people and the country. Some segments feel only General Kayani and General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) chief, are being given importance in Washington. According to sources, General Kayani's wife, son, daughter and daughter-in-law are with him in Washington. General Kayani is busy in Washington dialogue while the family is residing in New York.

Satisfied and Confident
"Official wedding procession" has arrived in the United States with a long list of demands. The Wall Street Journal claims a list of 56 pages has been handed over to Obama administration. The bridegroom from Pakistan is Shah Mehmud Qureshi while the United States considers General Kayani as the bridegroom. Efforts are on to tie new knots to the old relations. Amendment to the democratic system is also being deliberated. Wedding customs have formally started. The most interesting character among the hosts and the guests is General Kayani.

Warm welcome accorded to General Kayani by the US officials and media gives an impression that the Pakistani Government does not feel threatened during General Kayani's tenure. The United States feels satisfied and confident in negotiating with Pakistan Army. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi is the bridegroom in Pakistani delegation. However, the United States has wedlock with Pakistan Army. Finance Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, a participant in the dialogue, has secondary importance. Some segments believe that traditional dialogue between Pakistan and the United States is being portrayed as strategic dialogue in order to befool people.

Importance of Talks
The process of dialogue between the government's wedding procession and the "US Empire" is mere eyewash. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari government's supporters and opponents are busy in comments and discussions while the Pakistani community in the United States does not attach any importance to this dialogue. They say Pakistan neither was nor will be free to make its own decisions. Pakistan ahs always been governed by the Army. Democratic governments are nothing more than puppets.

The Pakistani community feels that the Army is supporting the incumbent regime as well. Some segments feel that General Kayani enjoys the same status as generals of yore enjoyed in Pakistan. Only a dictatorship and dictatorial democracy in Pakistan suits the United Stats. The incumbent government has come to power, apparently, through peace's votes. However, it is looking for scaffoldings to complete its term. Pakistan has an elected president as well. However, the real force comes from the Army and Army is considered synonymous with the United States. The segment, weary of Army and the so-called democratic regimes feels that the Army has very cleverly taken advantage of civil government's weakness.

Interference in Pakistani Politics
The United States considers the civilian government corrupt and inefficient whereas the Army is carrying out successful military operations, is arresting wanted terrorists, cooperating fully with the United States in war on terror. That is why Army is the focus of this dialogue. Simply put, the bride is not being wed with the bridegroom. The Pakistani delegation's body language shows that Pakistan's democratic government is feeble while the general is strong. Corrupt and dishonest government can never look straight into the US and Indian eyes, while the military bigwigs can look clearly through the US glasses. The US interference in Pakistani politics is as customary as oil and Henna are in wedding ceremonies. The ruler, whoever he might be, has to follow the rules; otherwise he will be sent packing.

The "villain" is closely looking at the Pak-US relations, especially the meetings. India is not willing to retreat any front including the important issues like nuclear deal with the United States, the water, Kashmir and Afghanistan issues. India is a US friend as Pakistan is. There are limits to implementation on Pakistan's wish list.

However, the Indian friendship is preferred. India has reservations over General Kayani's protocol and his inclusion in the dialogue. Pakistan believes that India wants to weaken the Pakistan Army, diminish its power and pride. However, the United States has different designs. Hillary Clinton said we have talked about developing Pakistan Army on modern footings. The United States has friendly relations with both Pakistan and India. Clinton said we cannot pressurize India over water issue in Pakistan.