By Anwaar Hussain

Pakistan, may the Heavens look kindly upon this blighted country once again, has become a central theme in the gross theatrical entertainment being put up by the McCain and Obama duo on almost daily basis. They spar endlessly with each other on all issues except Pakistan. Before any one can reach the letter k in Pakistan in the duo’s presence, both men scramble in unison to throw a blizzard of punches at this unfortunate country. Couched in comic skits and short turns they dole out in the name of national debate, both try to outdo each other in taking potshots at Pakistan. So much for showing some respect to the most grievously injured country, not to mention the most allied of allies, in their global ‘War on Terror’.

That the two Presidential hopefuls need to tone down their rhetoric, for Pakistan is going to figure rather prominently in the future life of one of them, is the least that one can suggest.

They must understand Pakistan’s tremendous importance to the United States. More than ever, and more than any other country, America’s national security depends on the success, security, and stability of Pakistan. It is the world’s third most populous Muslim state. It is a nuclear power and is located in a strategically vital neighborhood of India, Iran, Afghanistan, the Central Asian Regions and China. And now, thanks to America’s Empire dreams, from being a frontline state it has progressed to become the very battleground in the ‘Global War on Terror’.

It may be noted that Pakistanis already have an acute distaste for the on-again off-again relationship that the US has been having with Pakistan at its own convenience in the past. Tired and wary of the second wife status that America bestows upon Pakistan, bleeding profusely from the wounds of America’s war, the patience of common Pakistani is wearing thin. Now is not the time for the presidential nominees to deliver to Pakistan any more of the tripe that they have until now.

They would also do well to remember that it is fruitless to invest any more in the petty leadership that Pakistan has had the misfortune of having for the past many decades. America, instead, needs to build a comprehensive partnership as much with the Pakistani people as their governments.

Pakistan’s transition to democracy, therefore, presents just that opportunity for the two peoples to forge a resilient partnership that will secure their societies. An overwhelming number of Pakistanis unreservedly reject violent extremism in favor of moderate, democratic political forces committed to economic development and rule of law. The Americans must help Pakistan in an unshakable transition to a stable, democratic Muslim state; and no less importantly, the empowerment of Pakistan’s Government with the wherewithal to prevail against violent extremists. These goals cannot be achieved if America were to return to the quicksilver relationship it has been historically having with Pakistan. This time around Pakistanis look forward to a more durable and substantial relationship.

In this effort, promoting education, good governance, economic development, and the rule of law in Pakistan are as important as military and security cooperation. The surest way to throttle violent extremism is to drain the bogs where it breeds by helping build a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistani society. Though the United States has been pumping in $300 million each year into the Pakistani economy for the past many years, it is puny when compared to the trillions spent in chasing mirages in this war. If Pakistan indeed is the battleground of this war, a significant portion of those trillions should have been spent here in ensuring economic development as well as combating extremism.

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry realizes that whereas a successful strategy in the tribal areas must include the possibility of military operations, it must also include a serious and sustained economic development program and improvements in education and governance; every one but the McBama duo that is. The duo too ought to concentrate on just such a strategy for this vulnerable region in their future burlesques. They must talk more of a wide-ranging development assistance package to help fundamentally reshape the political and economic landscape in these regions and eradicate conditions that allow extremism to take root and flourish.

History will judge the dismissal of fanaticism at the ballot box in Pakistan as an important victory in the long fight against terrorism. On February 18 this year, the Pakistani people spoke in a clear voice for what they want their nation to look like: responsible, democratic, grounded in rule of law, with institutions that provide good governance and the basic necessities of life to all its citizens. While the momentous event may have gone unnoticed by the McBama duo, it is in America’s national interest to help Pakistanis make that vision a reality.

The duo needs to realize that Pakistan is an ally that has been thoroughly abused in their discredited ‘War on Terror’. Pakistanis have given immense sacrifices by standing on the front lines of the struggle between moderation and tyranny. In fact their country is hemorrhaging more heavily than the country whose war it is. Instead of dishing out further slights in their public shows, they should talk more of helping Pakistan protect and defend its democracy against extremists whose political ideology will die a natural death under an accountable and effective governance. And in doing that, they should sound a bit more sincere in projecting their country’s image as a steadfast friend and a partner in this undertaking.

Pakistan’s return to democracy is tactically momentous not just for the region. Pakistanis’ rejection of extremism by supporting moderate, pro-democratic forces and political parties obligates it upon the McBama duo to promise to work together with Pakistan in building a broad national accord to defeat terrorism and extremism and to encourage the success of a moderate, modern course for the country.

The McBama duo must get acquainted with this fact, and pronto too, that like it or not, Americans’ fate i.e. their security, their freedom, and their prosperity are joined at the hip with the fate of the people of Pakistan. They will do well to remember this information next time they incite contempt against Pakistan by extravagant claims in one of their burlesques, or trifle her with mock gravity, or ridicule her by grotesque representation, acts that are in any case increasingly being seen by the international community as not just ironical but distasteful as well.

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Anwaar Hussain