ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is weighing its options carefully. The suspension ofaround $1.2 billion in assistance and Trump’s accusations of Pakistani “liesand deceit” link> for allowing Taliban havenshave stirred anger and demands from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman ImranKhan for both land and air links to be cut.
Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington, Aizaz Chaudhry, indicated such stepsweren’t imminent, urging greater US cooperation on counterterrorism.
But he warned that further downward spiralling in US-Pakistani ties couldcreate a situation in which “everything will be on table.”
Chaudhry cited Pakistan’s longstanding complaints that its efforts havebeen unappreciated, claiming that most leaders of the Haqqani network whichthe US hopes to eradicate have fled to Afghanistan. Critics say Pakistan’smilitary only targets insurgents threatening Pakistan itself.
“The problem is we have a porous open border and it’s like a revolvingdoor,” Chaudhry told the Associated Press.
“These elements tend to come back, and travel back and forth, but there isno organised presence or safe havens inside Pakistan.” Republicans andDemocrats in America aren’t sold.
Lawmakers have urged targeted financial sanctions against Pakistaniintelligence officials linked to militants, and for Pakistan to lose its“non-Nato ally” status that offers preferential access to US militarytechnology.
Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US ambassador in Kabul, is among hawksadvocating Pakistan be declared a state sponsor of terrorism unless itcooperates.
But others who’ve worked with the Pakistanis fear coercion could backfireat a time they’re hedging their bets, unsure America will win inAfghanistan.
A tacit Pakistani alliance with the Taliban will appear “more important tothem than ever as we turn once again from an ally into an adversary,” saidRyan Crocker, who was US ambassador in Pakistan and Afghanistan.