Redesigning Pak-US relations

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, on her arrival in Pakistan, had said that she had come to “turn the page” in the US-Pakistan relations. Undoubtedly, the page has yet to be turned.
The Kerry-Lugar Bill was meant to win “hearts and minds.” Therefore, she sought to clarify, dispel doubts and convince. Hillary Clinton used logic and exuded charm. She met every point raised. Certainly, it was an impressive display of public diplomacy - something Pakistan has, yet, to acquire, learn and practice. While speaking to the National Public Radio later, this is how Mrs Clinton summed up the purpose of her visit: “…to try to clear the air with the Pakistani people and government, to reassert our support, particularly in this very difficult conflict they’re engaged in with the Taliban, and to listen and absorb all the criticism they have. They had this sort of pent-up frustration against the US. And as you know and as you saw, I listened...I wanted to stress that we’re looking for a partnership, and they have to listen to our concerns as well as we listen to their concerns.” Considering the “depth of distrust”, according to a New York Times editorial: “Washington will have to do a much better job of explaining itself….Mrs Clinton’s trip was an important start - but only a start.” Also relevant is an observation made by Shuja Nawaz, a Pakistani scholar working in an American think tank: “Good intentions are not enough in fixing a relationship that historically has been flawed.”
The controversy generated by the Kerry-Lugar Bill has done a considerable good to the people of Pakistan. For one, they are no longer willing to take things lying down. Yes, the US is a superpower and we need aid and arms, but the people of Pakistan do have a sense of self-respect. If the vulnerable and compromising rulers are seen tinkering with national interests, a public reaction can come into play and stop the slide into subservience.