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Zamir Akram discussed the strategic relationship and mutually beneficial relationship between Pakistan and the US. According to Akram, US actions relating to the War on Terror have an impact not only on Pakistan’s foreign policy, but also its internal politics. This has contributed to a “trust deficit” on both sides. Today Pakistan is seen as a strategic partner in the War on Terror. However, Akram believes that the US-Pakistan relationship should go beyond the short-term utility of fighting this war. Akram stated that the relationship should be based on greater trade access to US markets to benefit its textile industry, the transfer of technology and energy cooperation. He also expressed hope for more even-handedness with US policies between India and Pakistan.

The “trust deficit” in Pakistan-US relations, noted Akram, is evident in recent US criticism of Pakistan’s conduct on the war on terrorism. Akram warned this would undermine and weaken the cooperative relationship between the US and Pakistan. He emphasized that fighting terrorism in Pakistan is a priority not because of a US-led agenda, but because it is in their national interest.

According to Akram, the War on Terror should not be characterized solely by a military-based approach. Instead, he advocated a holistic approach that tackles poverty and unemployment through financial assistance and social programs and addresses the root causes of terrorism. He claimed that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be addressed because it provides terrorists with a cause and a justification to expand their base. In addition, the war in Iraq and the Shi‘a-Sunni split has added to the Middle East crisis with possible reverberations to other countries. The War on Terror, he said, essentially should be able to win hearts and minds of the people.

Akram also focused on Afghanistan, which if secure and stable, could provide greater access to the seas, and would enable Pakistan to be a pivotal state by connecting South and Central Asia to the Middle East. Akram acknowledged that despite Pakistan’s efforts of securing the border region, and counter-insurgency efforts, rebuilding Afghanistan and protecting the region against terrorism remains a great challenge.

The speaker recognized the key role the US has played in Afghanistan. However he characterized the US approach to rehabilitate the country as myopic. He claimed less focus should have been spent on finding Usama Bin Laden, and more efforts should have been devoted to rehabilitating Afghanistan. Moreover, he stated that the endeavor to address the drug problem has not been successful and more should be done to provide viable economic alternatives.

Akram also noted that in the aftermath of the post 9/11 invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan has had to deal with growing extremism in its North and South Waziristan provinces. In this region, Akram suggested two approaches towards curbing the rise of extremism. First, the original tribal leadership of the region should be restored to ensure stability. Second, sustained investments in development are needed in the region. He explained that a military-based approach has been unsuccessful and difficult in Pakistan and a holistic approach that would invest in development and social programs would better counter extremism.

Zamir Akram concluded by reemphasizing its need for a more substantive strategic relationship between the US and Pakistan. He claimed that the US can play a key role in improving Pakistan-India relations, including regarding Kashmir, if it ends its discriminatory approach regarding India’s nuclear proliferation to counter the regional power of China. An improved relationship would reduce the blame game and remove the trust deficit between the two countries.