How Pakistan has Edge over America?

Pakistan can survive without the American assistance.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Shake

Donald Trump, recently have alleged Pakistan saying, that the country had been using United States for ride and nothing else. “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over last fifteen years and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit,” President Trump tweeted in his first tweet of 2018. Additionally, United States have put on serious remarks about Pakistan giving safe heavens to the terrorists, making US doomed to hunt them in Afghanistan. Donald Trump announced that his country will suspend the assistance to Pakistan until Pakistan meets with the more plausible efforts to dislodge the Taliban’s and other enemies of Afghan government from the Pakistani side of long border.

The US authorities have estimated that, comparatively, it will cost Pakistan about 2 billion US dollars in aid that was already budgeted. Moreover, America on many times before have approved such measures against the Pakistan and its Army, which is the key figure dealing with the security of Pakistan. In fact, the Generals of Pakistan Army dictate the policies of affairs. For example, Barack Obama froze the Pakistani aid couple of times in his tenure. In 2011, $800 millions and in 2016, $300 millions were suspended by the Americans. Furthermore, Congress blocked the sale of F-16 to Pakistan in order that Pakistan has failed to meet with militants and extremists under its territory who were causing serious measures to the American ambitions in Afghanistan.

What Pakistan Returned to the World?

But, on the other way around since the war on terror has begun, Pakistan has lost more than 35000 soldiers and citizens. 

Pakistan army has played a very crucial role in determining the expected future of region. Additionally, Pakistani security forces have pushed the Haqqani network from Miran shah, towards the monitored border. In fact, Pakistan has suffered bulky devastations since its participation with the United States as a key non-Nato ally. Thereupon, owing to this the Generals are cautious to strike hard again.

How Pakistan has the Leverage over America?

Firstly, Pakistan as we concern the region is a country with which United States has to keep healthy terms. In fact, Pakistan has got the upper hand and Americans know that it has the power and demographic advantage that can stop America supplying forces and the Afghan government. America needs an easy and accessible faster route to coordinate with Afghan officials and its army. Meanwhile, the only alternative route which connects with Afghan territory is required with Russian consent, which equally would be a gawky situation. Indeed, America has now lesser impact on Pakistan that what it had used to be when the war on terrorism started.

Secondly, America has already declined the assistance to Pakistan. As a result, Pakistan now has close terms with China which we may call an all-weather friend. China is filling the shortfall caused by American declined assistance. China has grounded its influence in the region by planning a naval-base at Gwardar port which will be essential for China and Pakistan to have a better look over Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the project will connect land-locked western China to the Arabian Ocean.

Final Analysis

By and large, America’s influence seems to be prudent in recent years. Pakistan is joining hands with China and most probably with Russia. The nexus by these three nuclear powers will decide the perspective of the region and expectedly of the continent. In fact, the assistance cut will not affect Pakistan as it seems.