People have started to wonder if the US is going to continue its support to Pakistan. Pakistan had been an ally of the US in South Asia for a long time. They were partners in the Afganistan mission, where Pakistan was an important middle player. Pakistan also ocupies a strategeic position in South Asia. It is a natural outlet for the land locked countries of Central Asia. (One of the unspoken reasons for the bitter perpetual warfare in Afganitan is also its strategeic position. It lies directly between the landlocked nations and the sea outlets of Pakistan and Iran.)
Despite all this, Pakistan's indulgence in organised terrorism has caused her to be a liability rather than a partner. USA is worried about its own image and that Pakistan can become a lose cannon directed against US targets.
Recently, after the ousting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, by the military general Prevez Musharraf, four US senators visited Pakistan. The visit was not all too favourable to Pakistan. They warned Pakistan that the US-Pakistan ties were deteriorating due to its involvement in terrorism, Islamic militancy and other domestic issues, including the lack of religious freedom for minorities.
The issues that the senators brought up included
1) The urgent need to address the threat of terrorism and militant religious fundamentalism both within Pakistan adn internationally.
2) Publicly declare a road map for the restoration of democracy that sets forth a firm time line and clear objectives.
3) Engage in broad reform in order to create teh conditions that will permit democratic reforms to take root.
4) Sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and contribute to international efforts to control the spread of nuclear weapons.
5) To ensure the political, religious and economic freedoms of all its citizens.
"Pakistan faces a window of opportunity for improving this relationship but the window could close if there is no progress in addressing the concerns we raised," the senators said at the end of their visit.
The delegation included: Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, Assistant Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Christopher Dodd, a senior member of the Foreign Rrelations Committee and Daniel Ahaha, the ranking member on Non-Proliferation Subcommittee of the Government Affairs Committee.
Disputed Region: Indo-Pak Subcontinent
