A Tale of Siamese Twins

On this very auspicious day, I took to paper to share my personal perspective on the Pakistan-U.S. relations —an alliance that transcends conventional boundaries and encompasses a plethora of dimensions, each intertwined with significance and depth, hitherto not captured in its totality.

I state emphatically and unequivocally that both nations and their people are joined at the hip, like Siamese twins, inseparable in more ways than one. It is a deep-rooted, multifaceted bonding, which traverses socio-cultural spheres and goes beyond economic and defence spheres, thus creating a tapestry of interdependence.

As things happen, we eat at American food outlets, drink beverages imported from the United States, wear apparels made in the U.S., binge-watch Hollywood movies with pleasure, and find ourselves surrounded by scores of American products, widgets and gadgets as well as home appliances scattered all over the place. From burgers to foot-long sandwiches, fries to fried chicken, pizzas to soft serves, warm freshly-made waffles laced with 31 flavours, Colas, on-the-go coffee, donuts, smoothies and shakes are to name a few. Frankly speaking, we truly eat American foods with gusto. And let’s not forget the flip-flops, jeans, khakis, sneakers, untucked shirts, logoed T-shirts, and NY caps. Better to say, American brands are household names in a country like Pakistan too.

We are both downright capitalists by nature, and our mindsets are driven by capitalistic values. We strive to live the American dream, an aspiration fuelled by the allure of opportunities and freedom that the United States, the land of milk and honey, offers aplenty.

The U.S. is seen as a land of opportunities and freedom. If given a chance, let’s be honest, where would our youth want to migrate in order to free themselves from restricted and regressive values, to allow them realise and unleash their potential and to rid of class consciousness and conformist practices?

The economic front of the relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. cannot be understated. Let’s not forget that near to seventy per cent of our exports go to the U.S., boasting the world’s largest consumer market. Built over decades, our strategic and defence cooperation is deep-rooted and far-reaching. It bears mention that as of now, six US presidents have graced Pakistan with their official visits, with the First Lady visiting the country in the early 60s. When all of them visited our homeland, democratically-elected political representatives were not governing the country, underscoring the undeniable bond we share.

This is serious food for thought that clearly demonstrates a bond with immense potential to grow and withstand the test of time without distractions.

Despite the commonalities, our unique partnership has been underleveraged and imbalanced. Hardly any nation in the world can be compared to this kind of bonding and strategic alignment that Pakistan and the U.S. have had from the word go. We often find ourselves playing catch-up, hindered by an ingrained inferiority complex, which is reminiscent of the David and Goliath parable. It is high time we recognised our own significance and asserted our right to a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States, unburdened by self-induced limitations. In addition to that, we have miserably failed to define our supreme national interest as every country has the right to do so. Both these factors prevent us from negotiating from a position of strength to deliver a win-win outcome both in the short and long term.
In this ever-evolving geopolitical landscape, the world accommodates the interests of nations that matter. We must act likewise. The world is big enough to accommodate the defined interests of nations, especially those seeking peaceful coexistence.

Nurturing our relationship with the United States should not come at the expense of our ties with China, or with any other country. Rather, we should strive for equilibrium. By capitalizing on our historical relationship and economic stakes with China, not only are we connected historically via the Silk Route, but we are also share warm waters alongside huge economic vested interests.
This can happen if we can clearly and articulately address our mindset and define our supreme national interest, aligning all domestic stakeholders, ushering in an era of strengthened collaboration and mutual prosperity.

So, let’s give it a go. The buck stops here. Let’s write a new chapter, one that maximizes Pakistan-U.S. relationships and epitomizes a bond that defies conventional boundaries, intertwining both nations and their people across numerous dimensions. If truth be told, we can forge a stronger, mutually beneficial alliance by fully embracing our shared values and aligning our interests, as well as unshackling ourselves from a litany of self-imposed limitations.

On a lighter note, my family and I have the fondest memories with the American people. Amongst many dimensions, we end up celebrating American Independence Day in my spouse’s favourite city, New York, as she shares the same birthday, July 4th.

The expression “Friends not Masters” has its origin in a speech made by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1938. Jinnah propagated the Two-Nation relating to governments in provinces. He said “Freedom, Fraternity and Liberty are the lifeblood of Muslims but freedom must be from British exploitation and Hindu domination. The Muslims will never agree merely to a change of masters.” Jinnah clearly stated to the United States that Pakistan desired an equal wish to ensure order, justice and peace, leading to collaboration between the two countries.

In 1948, Jinnah said he did not know what the ultimate shape of the Constitution is going to be but it would be a democratic type embodying essential principles of Islam, namely equality, justice and fair play. All our citizens will enjoy the same rights and privileges and play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan. The famous expression by Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan that Pakistan desires “Friends not Masters” has its origins in the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah so aptly expressed between 1938 and 1948.

U.S.-Pakistan “Iceberg” relationship: Speaking extempore for 45 minutes to a sizeable audience at U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington in 2007, I remarked, “Pakistan is the only real friend of the U.S. in the region”. This was not just nationalistic braggadocio but it was based on a formidable reason. The U.S.-Pakistan relationship is like an iceberg. On the surface, it is transactional, or good, bad, and ugly, or what I call “Yo-Yo Relationship”. The strength and bond is the foundation structure below the waterline that has solidified to withstand the elements of turbulent global dynamics. Today’s Titanic ship would be destroyed if it collides with this iceberg.