A Comprehensive Approach to U.S.- Pakistan Relations

A comprehensive approach to countering extremism in Pakistan will demand expensive and intense U.S. engagement over at least a decade, possibly much longer. But because smart, sustained investments ultimately represent the most cost-effective way for the United States to avoid a far more dangerous future, the Obama administration would be well advised not to narrow its ambitions from the outset or to understate the enormity of the challenge. Daniel Markey, Council on Foreign Relations: From AfPak to PakAf: A Response to the New U.S. Strategy for South Asia April 2009.

During the past eight years, U.S. policy toward Pakistan has been focused mainly on military and intelligence matters. The Council on Pakistan Relations believes that a military only approach to Pakistan is counterproductive. The challenges facing Pakistan can be best addressed with a comprehensive approach that includes such issues as education, health care, and economic development. The U.S. also needs to reinforce its support for Pakistan’s democracy and not change its level of involvement in Pakistan based on which party is in power.

Policy Recommendations:

*Develop a comprehensive policy approach toward Pakistan. This new Pakistan policy needs to include a place at the table for all of Pakistan’s major civilian institutions and political voices. The new policy also needs to uphold a spirit of transparency both in terms of monetary aid and diplomatic intentions. Policy toward Pakistan needs to be conducted in the light of day and without sending mixed messages to the Pakistani people.

*Take a broader approach toward Pakistan, and show a broader awareness of the challenges facing the country. Most U.S. aid and attention to Pakistan in the past has focused on Pakistan’s military, and has mainly taken the form of high-level visits by CIA and FBI officials. The U.S. needs to strike a better balance between military aid and aid for social services like education and health care not at the expense of military aid, but in addition to it. Consistent military aid is still necessary to help secure Pakistan against internal threats from terrorists and extremists.

*Declare unequivocally that the U.S. will not support any future dictatorships or military takeover in Pakistan. There is a widespread belief in Pakistan that Washington decides who rules in Pakistan. It would be a mistake for the U.S. to be seen as deciding the next government of Pakistan. Instead, the U.S. should support the current elected Pakistani government as it serves its term in office, should encourage fair elections and peaceful transition of power, and should not intervene (directly or indirectly) in Pakistan’s choice of government. Pakistan needs to be able to mature as a democracy without external interference. Even if it takes four or five elections, the U.S. needs to be patient.

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