Staying diplomatic

The Donald Trump administration served further confirmation that it intends to pursue an anti-Pakistan policy last week when its commerce department added seven Pakistani companies to a sanctions list over fears that they may be linked to the nuclear trade. The move itself will not have much of an impact on Pakistan since no action is taken against the companies other than requiring them to seek licences from the US if they want to do business there. Its import rather lies in the fact that the US is willing to take any punitive measure it can to stop us. The timing of this move, when Pakistan is on the verge of being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force and is trying to apply for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, could be meant to ensure that the country faces further international opprobrium. While we should be doing everything possible to ensure no business in Pakistan is involved in illicit activities, especially if it could be connected to an underground nuclear market, the US sanctions are vague and do not give any particulars about what – if anything – these companies may have done that warranted this punishment. The Foreign Office has responded by pointing to Pakistan’s record on nuclear safety and non-proliferation, and has said that many countries that are members of the NSG have companies that are on this sanctions list.

The larger Pakistan-US relationship is as troubled as it has been at any point since Trump became president. Earlier this month, a US administration official complained that we had not yet taking significant steps against the Haqqani Network and Afghan Taliban. The US has also been pushing Pakistan to conduct joint operations with its forces along the border with Afghanistan, something we have refused to do so far. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence on March 16 led only to lectures demanding we ‘do more’ to fight militants. Now that Pakistan has mostly weaned itself of US aid, the ability of the Americans to pressure us is reduced. This is why the US has been pursuing alternative means of intimidation. Using its influence at international organisations such as the NSG and FATF, the US hopes it will exert enough economic pressure on us that we have no choice but to yield to its demands. The commerce department sanctions are in keeping with that strategy. Pakistan’s response must be to keep making its case and ensuring the channels of communication with the US remain open. While we may not be as reliant on the US as before, its power is still unmatched and diplomacy is our only chance to repair the relationship.