Silver lining or a lesson? There\u2019s a lot that needs to be unpacked on a flurry of high-level meetings planned by Tariq Fatemi, a key aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Washington DC. Clearly, the government, even if it claims otherwise, is in no mood to open yet another can of worms, in the wake of reports suggesting US lawmakers\u2019 inclination towards sanctions against certain officials.
\nOur bromance with the US has always been a mix of cooperation and contention. While shared strategic interests have brought us together, disagreements have closely followed. If it were not for America\u2019s demand to \u201cdo more\u201d against the wave of terrorism sweeping across the homeland, there would be concerns over governance or foreign policies.
\nHaving served the elder Sharif in a similar capacity, Mr Fatemi, a seasoned operator, knows soft power alone won\u2019t salvage this. His presence at the Pakistan Day reception, flanked by senior U.S. officials, offered optics of goodwill. In order to actually put forward a strong case, Pakistan needed a combination of unprecedented foreign policy overtures as well as some serious work in the kitchen.
\nAdding another layer to this scenario is the unrelenting lobbying activity by PTI, which realised the merit of influencing US lawmakers quite early in the game. Of course, it does not need to be said that their campaigns, which found some traction among select members of Congress, have come at the expense of the entire country\u2019s credibility. You cannot simply make new rules just because you are losing. There\u2019s no denying the scrutiny of the Sharif government has increased in certain circles, amplifying narratives critical of its policies. Despite this, Islamabad appears more focused on strengthening diplomatic ties through direct engagement rather than through external lobbying efforts.
\nGoing forward, Pakistan must take a multi-dimensional approach. Strengthening democratic institutions and implementing meaningful anti-corruption measures will not only help address international concerns but also align with public demands for better governance at home.
\nMeanwhile, we need a balanced foreign policy; engaging with multiple global partners while safeguarding its national interests. Reducing reliance on any single country and fostering diverse diplomatic and economic relationships can enhance its position on the world stage.
\nIslamabad\u2019s elites must decide: cling to hollow theatrics or forge a legacy of reform. The world-and Pakistan\u2019s 250 million citizens-are done waiting for promises.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Silver lining or a lesson? There\u2019s a lot that needs to be unpacked on a flurry of high-level meetings planned by Tariq Fatemi, a key aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Washington DC. Clearly, the government, even if it claims otherwise, is in no mood to open yet another can of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-469949","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-editorial"},"yoast_head":"\n