Complete breakdown in Pak-US relations, which looks imminent in the wake of Washington’s urgency for peace in Kabul and refusal to fund F-16 sale may not happen in the end given the mutuality of interests. Sabre-rattling has become a part of roller coaster relationship between two countries that were initiated during the Cold War period and cemented during America’s proxy war against occupation Soviet forces in Afghanistan.
So much so, the move by US lawmakers to stop the Obama administration from funding the sale of eight F-16 jets will in the end become no more than a ‘temporary hiccup’ . Yet, Pakistan leadership is going through the motions of ‘anti-America narrative’ and assertions that it would always find alternatives to F-16. Both are for domestic consumption. It is a direct hint that it would turn to the time tested all-weather friend for a bail out with the Thunder Jets.
This boast begs the question: If Rawalpindi-Islamabad combine is confident of the Chinese jets, why are they clamouring for eight F-16s. Deafening silence greets the questioner and this itself is the safest giveaway to the likely turn of events.
Egg-heads in Islamabad appear to be worried about a repeat of 1989 when the US had imposed sanctions on Pakistan for pursuing a nuclear weapons programme. The Pressler amendment stopped Pakistan from taking possession of 28 F-16s, despite paying $658 million for the jets.
Such a danger does not appear to be even remotely possible at present going by the statements of American officials, who, while fretting and fuming over Pakistan’s unreliability as a friend, have let the world know this past week that alliance with Islamabad is vital for Washington.
“It (Pak-US ties) is an important, vital relationship that we strongly believe in. Is it complicated at times? Absolutely, it is,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said on May 13, and urged Pakistan to keep open the Torkham border with Afghanistan. The border post was closed as Afghans protested Pak attempt to erect a fence around it.
Here is one more quote: “Do we see eye to eye on every issue with Pakistan? No, we don’t. But that’s why the relationship matters so much, because we have shared threats and shared concerns, shared interest in the region, and we’re going to continue to work at it,” Kirby said. He went on to add as if to set at lingering doubts: “It is an important relationship that we continue to work at very, very seriously, and we’re going to remain committed to.”