Former President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that his Pakistan People's Party is the only entity in Pakistan that stands unambiguously in fight against terrorism and extremism - offering a comprehensive strategy that encompasses co-ordinated civilian leadership and action.
In his 'Guest Post' in the Forbes, he criticised the PML-N government, writing that despite backslide in transparency and democratic values under Nawaz Sharif, foundations built (together with the US) during this early pivot have yielded tangible results.
"Today, my party and I continue to fight for the creation of truly democratic institutions even as the current prime minister acts with autocratic leanings," he wrote.
Zardari sought US support in these civilian efforts. He expressed hope that finally, US would invest its faith in Pakistan. He wrote that through US-Pakistan collaboration, extremists' safe havens were rooted out, a critical role was played in dismantling al Qaeda's deeply entrenched networks. The economic cost to Pakistan is currently above $60 billion and continues to climb, he added.
Zardari lamented that many in the Congress fail to recognise these hard-won victories, cutting off hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursements to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF). The Congress has also blocked sales of needed F-16s. "The signal from the US here is as important as the substance; there is a clear breach of faith in our partnership," he wrote. He urged the US that to prevent unnecessary backsliding and the tragic costs that follow, both must renew their common goals and craft a streamlined strategy that galvanises both the military and civilians in this war of ideas.
He expressed hope that the U.S. will continue to develop Pakistan's economy, which is key to building public confidence in the institutions and in the promise of a better tomorrow. He further wrote that unfortunately, under President Obama, Pakistan did not see a palpable diplomatic commitment to the country's holistic growth and success. He hoped that, going forward, the United States will foster this mission to make Pakistan a country defined by its industry, ingenuity and democratic progress, and keep the lines of communication open.
"And as the new administration considers its policy options and financial commitments abroad, Pakistan will loom large not only because of the threats we fight together, but also because of the opportunities to spread shared democratic values that we embody in standing shoulder to shoulder," he wrote. He hoped that the promising conversations he had with leading figures in the US government herald a renewed commitment to Pak-US partnership.