THIS is with reference to the article ‘Neighbour to a superpower’ (May 24), which started what I found to be a rather unnecessary discussion on the gradual and solid development of Pal(istan’s relationship with China. In doing so, the article, deliberately or otherwise, sl(ipped the root causes that helped shape the solid Sino-Pakistan ties.
One may agree that during early days of our independence, there was a positive thinl(ing in Pal(istan that favoured Washington-led alliances, but it was a great sense of disappointment and anger when the United States put a ban on sale or replacement of military equipment that was used against the Indians during the 1965 war. Even spares were denied. It was considered a direct act of support to India, while Pal(istan, despite being an ally, was left high and dry.
Later on, US inaction was glaringly evident during the 1971 Indian attacks on East Pakistan. The erstwhile Soviet Union’s radars and ammunition actively took part in the war to support the Indians, while Pal(istan kept waiting for the much trumpeted US 7th Fleet which never showed up. There is a long list of ‘friendly acts’ committed by the US, lil(e US-led attack on Pakistan’s posts in Salalah, that notorious F-16 deal in which Pakistan got a shipload of soya-bean instead of F-16s, the notorious Pressler Amendment, and, indeed, many more.
Lool(ing back at the history of SinoPal(istan relations, one finds not a singleepisode or occasion where Beijing may have tried to put pressure on Islamabad.
The even trajectory of Pakistan-China relations is quite clear and trust-worthy.
Abid Mahmud Ansari Islamabad