Abbu of generals have spoken. Interesting dialogue.
Great interview. Ambassador Bolton brings up many great points, but none more than this one:
The US is looking at the world through the lens of competition with China (and to a lesser extent cooperation with India).
The PTI needs to work on a foreign policy that has a component that as balanced towards the two top global powers as possible.
Second he brings up China’s periphery. What better way to
promote Pakistan’s value to the world then to open up the central Asian periphery to non-neighbors then through Pakistan. IK principled stance against the now concluded GWOT in Afghanistan, can be leverage by him and his party to build an understanding with the Afghans in exchange for reliable and uninterrupted transit trade via a railway at a fair priced to Central Asia. This is the one thing no other friendly power can potentially offer the west. This is also something China does not oppose, as they benefit somewhat as well.
Second, if the PTI has the ear of the diaspora, it can work with them to raise an investment fund; sort of like a pension fund (a long term investment) for infrastructure projects and make sure these projects are with companies in the districts of key US senators and congresspersons on key committees; foreign relations, defense, agriculture, etc.
Part of this effort has to also include better Mil-Mil relations with the US, probably helping to partially pay for a squadron of F-16 Block 72, so Pakistan can get a Viper upgrade for the existing fleet, in the name of being a frontline state against “Instability” (vague but broadly to mean Iran). All part of a greater effort to rebrand the country, leaning on Sufism (which IK espouses and SMQ is also connected with being a Pir? And from Multan , the Sufi capital of Pakistan).
The time the PTI sits in opposition, is time it can work on Central Asia efforts from their government in KPK, and work with the diaspora to raise funds, but focused on key industries (the country needs anyway) in powerful American and western politicians districts. Leveraging that large source of funds to show as a carrot should they support PTI coming to power.
Before anyone says this is low, they should remember that the PML-N and the PPP have extensive ties in the Gulf and the West, respectively. PTI has invested in the ties with the diaspora, now is the time to use that for the good of the nation as well as an investment for the diaspora, not charity, which many would be reluctant to give.
Should Trump come to power, and the afghan railway is in place, its east to see US mining firms he is friendly with approaching IK to facilitate the “Art of the Deal”.
P.s. this isn’t as far fetched as it may sound, half of the Pakistani American doctors at the recent APNA conference were visible and vocal PTI supporters. Besides invest in Pakistan in a way that has a high ROI just makes sense on a financial basis.
Also having a better relationship with the west, where more students can go to the US, or business person can travel directly, as Indian people do, would be begrudging desired by the Pakistani elite, so a lot of work for the PTI lies with the Pakistani-American Diapora.
Ohh and goes without saying these tens of Billions of dollars (over a number of years) of projects would
only happen if PTI is in power, a party the diaspora trusts more than any other.
