THE Pakistan-US relationship often results in bizarre contradictions. While officials from both sides regularly issue statements about improving trade and development ties, Pakistani firms are also put on American blacklists, making it difficult for these companies to do business internationally. In the latest such development, a number of local firms have been put on the US Commerce Department’s ‘entity list’, allegedly “for contributing to ballistic missile programmes of concern, including Pakistan’s missile programme, and for involvement in unsafeguarded nuclear activities”. Several Pakistani entities were similarly blacklisted in December for apparently the same reasons, while Joe Biden’s off-colour remark, terming Pakistan “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” due to its nuclear programme, should also be recalled, even though the US president’s handlers tried to spin his comments differently. In the latest blacklisting, firms have also been targeted for aiding Russia and China’s military ambitions, as well as helping Iran break sanctions. The US Treasury Department warned the UAE recently for continuing to trade with Russia. It can safely be assumed that rather than any legitimate concerns about Pakistani firms breaking international laws, the blacklisting is purely geopolitical, in effect a message from Uncle Sam in the same vein as ‘are you with us or against us?’

These developments should serve as a wake-up call for Pakistan’s policymakers. As the Ukraine war drags on, and the US indulges in combative rhetoric with China, Pakistan needs to plan accordingly. For if push comes to shove, especially on the China front, Pakistan may be asked to make hard choices. This will obviously not be an easy decision. Islamabad’s ties with Beijing are deep and strategic, but relations with the US are also important. Therefore, progressive and sagacious foreign policy decisions are required, keeping Pakistan’s interest paramount, and not getting dragged into other people’s conflicts. It must also be noted that while the US raises concerns about Pakistan’s missile programme, Washington and its European allies are pumping billions of dollars’ worth of weapons into Ukraine, ensuring that the war drags on. Pakistan is a responsible state, and while our internal squabbles may not be sending a positive message to the world, clarity is needed in foreign policy messaging. Ultimately, Pakistan must stress the need to resolve all disputes peacefully and reject bloc politics, while refusing to entertain unnecessary curbs on its defence needs.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2023