Pakistan-USA relations

Pakistan-US relations are once again going through ups and downs despite their being old friends and allies for decades together. In lieu of fighting war on terror as an active member of US-led international coalition, Pakistan has since been conferred with the singular distinction of being major non-Nato ally.
But even this does not deter Washington from showing its teeth and covertly showing great concern over Islamabad's nuclear assets. This is indeed a very strange friendship between the countries located in physical terms thousands of miles away from each other with Washington duly appreciating the effective role which Pakistan is playing in the war on terror and taking all possible steps to eliminate militants, extremists and terrorists.
As a matter of fact, no country other than Pakistan has done so much in the war on terror and also suffered a lot to the extent of its security and integrity being threatened.
It would be quite pertinent to mention here some bitter facts and figures which reflect the very high price which Islamabad is paying for being an old friend, ally and also the major non-Nato ally over the years.
US led international coalition had launched war on terror in the wake of 9/11 incidents and it is a matter of record that Pakistan itself has been a grave victim of terrorism with extremists and militants striking in different parts of the country and killing scores of innocent people as well as security personnel. During the just ended year 2007 alone, Pakistan recorded as many as 52 suicide bomb attacks which are the latest manifestation of terrorism.
In these terrorist hits, 525 persons died and another 1241 were injured, many even losing their limbs and thus being rendered handicapped for the rest of their lives. Those who became unfortunate victims of the suicide bombers included 54 Army personnel, 109 security agencies personnel and 48 Police personnel besides 20 commandos and militia personnel.
These suicide bomb attacks on the Armed Forces and Security Agencies personnel, viewed together, indicate a well-planned and integrated strategy. These terrorist hits every now and then are being utilised as a cover by the Western world in general and in particular "friend and ally" USA leadership and media for claiming Pakistan (God-forbid) as a failed state. And this false and hostile propaganda is not without an evil plan.
Alongside this, suggestions are also being put forth that before things worsen further, Pakistan's nuclear assets should be brought under Washington's direct or indirect control. Even a joint control has been suggested despite the fact that Pakistan's nuclear assets are under effective, integrated and powerful control and command system.
When New York and Washington had become targets of major terrorist activities on the fateful day of 9/11, did anyone dare describe the USA as a failed state? None, surely. Then why call Pakistan a failed state instead of duly appreciating the concerted efforts being made by Islamabad to counter militancy, extremism and terrorism in all their manifestations.
After 9/11 incidents, USA has already attacked and conquered Afghanistan and Iraq with the so-called world body, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) headquartered in New York giving the Nato forces licence to kill innocent people who do not want to toe the White House line.
Now on one hand, the USA in its presidential election year is threatening Iran of dire consequences for its atomic programme and on the other hand eyeing to have access to Pakistan's nuclear assets on one pretext or the other.
And, if all this is viewed in the context of USA-Israel nexus then it amply becomes clear that Washington wants to secure security of Tel Aviv and safeguard its interests against Pakistan not only being Muslim Ummah's first atomic power but also expanding the missiles technology programme through test firing advance versions of Shaheen and Hataf missiles.
President Pervez Musharraf quite rightly is using tough language to tell the USA leadership to better find another ally if Islamabad's good intentions are not given due consideration and strings attached with whatever little assistance Washington is giving.