Revamping Pak-US ties, not different than past: Mushahid

Mushahid Hussain Sayed - File Photo

By: Haroon Baloch

Country's leading foreign policy expert and Pakistan Muslim League's Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed termed Pakistan - US relationships a chute-the-chute and need-based journey, characterized with abrupt and extreme changes.

New Terms of Engagement with US

"United States requires Pakistan's cooperation in combating terror war and Pakistan looks for financial assistance. These need-based ties would proceed ahead the way they were in the past", said Mushahid Hussain Sayed adding that ups and downs are foreseeable and what we experienced four months back was mere a demonstration of the United State's callous attitude.

Pakistan has time and again said parliamentary process will give us a confidence and a broad ground to interact with United States. "I believe parliamentary process will pave the road to our new cooperation with United States on more concrete grounds. Pakistan urges the ties with United States on the basis of equality, mutual trust and respect", foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar said during the stakeout.

"Americans were sole responsible of this time's episode that provided us a chance to gather whole nation's aspirations on same page", told Mushahid Hussain Sayed to this correspondent.

ISLAMABAD: FM Hina Rabbani Khar addressing at a joint stakeout

Parliamentary process is still underway to finalize the future terms of engagement with the United States and the NATO-led-ISAF forces fighting in Afghanistan. Parliamentary committee on national security, after extensive rounds of consultations with all the stakeholders including Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, has already chalked out a draft of recommendations deemed to be endorsed by the joint session of the parliament.

Iran-Pakistan gas policy

While talking about the Pakistan-Iran(IP) gas pipeline project the foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar was of the view we believe there won't be any sanction or hard consequences. Pakistan reserves the right to fulfill its energy needs and IP is a legitimate and viable project for Pakistan, she further added.

She also sought," this will expand our cooperation with international players instead of contracting it", further added the world will respect our new terms of engagement.

A changed and more lenient stance of US diplomats in Islamabad have exhibited on this project. The US deputy chief of mission in Islamabad Richard Hoagland told this correspondent that United States understands Pakistan's energy needs that are legitimate and is working with Pakistan in exploring various ways. IP is not something going to be completed in a day or even in a year. "United States is not threatening Pakistan about Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project", Hoagland emphasized and further added that United States is also investing millions of dollars in Pakistan's energy projects.

ISLAMABAD: After Interviewing Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed 

Senator Mushahid contended Pakistan has resisted to the United States' pressure about IP and has decided to follow the policy coherent with our best economic and security interests. "Pakistan might have been facing financial difficulties in its (IP project's) execution, but we fight with them", said Mushahid Hussain.

He further said Pakistan's decision is in line with the overall framework of our foreign policy where Pakistan stresses for the regional integration and its ties with the neighbors including Afghanistan, India and Iran.

Iran's Nuke Program

Israel and western powers keep tons of apprehensions on Iran's nuclear program. Despite reiterating denials Israel believes Iran'snuclear program is aimed at developing weapons, ultimately a threat to the existence of only Jewish state.

Israeli premier Benjamin Natanyahu has not rule out the option of strike on Iran's nuclear installments if international sanctions failed in stopping nuclear program.

Pakistan always advocated for the dialogue to find the resolution of all issues binding with Iran's nuclear program. "Our region is not capable enough for hosting a new hostility", Foreign Minister Khar said while addressing a media gathering in Islamabad.

While answering questions of this correspondent whether an attack on Iran would be a potential threat for Pakistan's nuclear program as well, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed told our nuclear program disturbs west as well as India, but at the same time it is widely accepted reality.

He contended, "Now apprehensions relate to Iran or North Korean nuclear programs. Pakistan secured its nuclear program more effectively in a way that we maintained our legitimate stance strengthening it with national consensus". "As far as attack on Iran is concerned, I rule out the option of direct strike, although they are more concerned about it", he said.

Yes, they will exert more pressure and propagate against Iran and Pakistan's nuclear programs, however, won't dare to attack them, Mushahid Hussain Sayed asserted.