Americans are here

A number of top American officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, are here. Whatever good intentions behind their visit here, their coming here is no good omen for the people of Pakistan, at least.
Apparently, they are here to participate in another round of US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue to undertake overall review of old friends and allies countries relations, progress in war on terror and pledges and assurances for future co-operation and collaboration in different fields.
According to the reports in the media, the US Secretary of State called on President Asif Ali Zardari who hosted a dinner in honour of Hillary. To say the least, this dinner should have been hosted by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. As a matter of fact, the Foreign Minister is playing host to his US counterpart.
They talked a lot. President told the visiting US Secretary of State what Pakistan needs in energy and other sectors. But, quite regretfully, no mention of the civil nuclear technology between the US and Pakistan, like Washington already has with New Delhi, and also of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is languishing in jail in the US for the alleged crime which has all along been denying. Pakistan direly needs civil nuclear technology for boosting power generation from nuclear rectors. And, how long Dr Aafia Siddiqui would be languishing in the US jail without any firm step being taken by the government of Pakistan for her repatriation back home, although people from all walks of life have been demanding her release forthwith.
Despite being an old friend and ally, Washington not only denied us civil nuclear technology at the instance of New Delhi, but also pressurise other countries, including France, some months back, pointed out that Pakistan has a poor track record regarding Pakistan's alleged involvement in nuclear proliferation.
As a matter of fact, Pakistan should have availed of the opportunity of the US Secretary of State's presence here and apprise her about nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan's case and tell her the nuclear scientist is no more associated with the country's nuclear programme.
Placing these bitter facts before the US would, hopefully, ensure that India would not be able to exploit our nuclear scientist's case to cause harm to Pakistan on this account at any international forum in future.