A new relationship

Pakistan is currently facing serious threats to its economy and integrity, and the coming days are likely to put our leadership's mettle to the test. Pakistan's internal problems have been compounded with increasing tension and hardening attitudes between erstwhile coalition partners. There are speculations galore of serious rifts between Zardari and Gilani, with ugly forecasts regarding the fragility of the presidential set-up in Islamabad. The lawyers' call for a million march towards the capital on March 9 to seek restitution of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry with full support from PML-N and other opposition group has further complicated the picture.
On foreign policy issues, the Mumbai tragedy has shown no signs of abatement from India. It has initiated a propaganda blitz against Pakistan, which has badly mauled Pakistan's image and credibility abroad. The threatening tone of the Indian leadership is becoming more strident with warnings that "all options are open" to dismantle "terror outfits," charging Pakistan of using terror as a state policy.
These problems and their critical mass will become clearer now in a couple of days with Obama as the new President of the United States. Observers have agreed that Afghanistan and Pakistan will be among the priority issues engaging Obama's attention. Former Secretary of State Colin Powel had considered the Afghanistan war "the second biggest challenge for President Obama."
Against this grim backdrop, the need for close and cordial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan has never been so urgent. The Kabul visit by President Zardari on January 6 was therefore, most timely and, judging by its outcome, most salutary.
Political constraints and compulsions drove the two leaders, Karzai and Zardari, towards a political modus vivendi that, unless disturbed by an untoward diplomatic or military development, would stand us in good stead. Karzai has his eyes on April when he seeks another presidential term, and must clear out all hurdles. For both leaders, good or even normal bilateral relations would give them more time and lessen their burden to sort out the domestic mess.