One more US visit

This refers to the article, ‘Another US visit...more hype and nonsense’ (October 20) by Ayaz Amir. Tackling the US has always been problematic for our leaders for the simple reason that ‘beggars can’t be choosers’. Our past rulers faced the same dilemma that Nawaz Sharif is facing today. We are at the receiving end and with our huge external debt we stand on a weak wicket.
In all probability the PM will be handed a long list of demands by President Obama with the ‘do more’ mantra topping the list followed by advice to improve relations with India and bring an end to home-grown terrorism. Undoubtedly our successive leaders have failed to exploit the regional situation to our advantage as compared to Egypt and Turkey. Before going on such important visits, it is better to take parliament into confidence. Under a changed scenario, us getting closer to China and Russia is something that the US will never tolerate. There can be no two opinions when the writer says that another hyped-up visit to the US is bound to end up as just a trip to the US without any result except the usual assurances.
Mukhtar Ahmed
Karachi