Pak, trumped!

The New Year didn't necessarily commence on a spirit of joy and positivity for all. Pakistan for one, could not relish the beginning by indulging in the festivities that complement new beginnings. Donald Trump though, like always, ensured that despite the clamouring of celebration across the world, his voice stood tall, resonating above the colourful crackers that were burst to welcome 2018. His first tweet of the year wasn't one of welcoming newness, it was indeed, seeped in deep retrospection on global terrorism. Perhaps an act that the US should have engaged in long before, to prevent its catastrophic vibrations from being felt as strongly as it is today. Coming down harshly upon Pakistan, the most powerful man in the world, as he is perceived, sent out a strong message threatening to discontinue military aid to the south-Asian country, on account of its deceit and continued service in the favour of terrorists. Pakistan has been censured time and again by the US, India and the United Nations for providing a comfortable haven to terrorists; yet, the country has done little to change its ways or abide by international standards of peace. A prime example is the Hafiz Saeed case. Recognised the world over as the culpable terrorist involved rigidly in the planning and execution of the terrible 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, he is cocooned by the Pakistani authorities and military, who have used him as their pawn to continue their fight in the reclamation of Kashmir. So much so, Saeed has been allowed to create and functionalise a full-fledged political party that is set to soon contest elections. It wouldn't be a matter of any surprise, if someday in the near future, Saeed assumes the highest chair in the country's office. Though the US has been sidelining Pakistan for a while, this rather tempestuous reaction from Trump on the first day of the New Year is sure to have disconcerted many in the Pakistan administration. Irrespective of what Trump says, as many around the world know better than to attach seriousness to each of his spoken words, a rippling effect will be factored in by the aid cut that Trump is looking to initiate. The US has blocked $255 million military aid to Pakistan, extended as a part of the country's Afghan policy. Aiming to defeat the Taliban on the Afghan soil, Pakistan received military aid from the US to outdo terrorists. Instead, Pakistan has played a role quite to the contrary. Beating all odds and expectations, the terrorists have found a more comfortable nesting spot in the hills of the Karakoram. What remains the most absurd is how Pakistan continues to be in denial of the pitiful condition of its economy and the free-hand that is reigned by radicalists and the military—a dangerous combination that has reduced the influence of the democratic government within Pakistan. While the Pakistan government claims to stall the operations of Saeed and other such militants nestling peacefully on its soil, the military and fractions of governance leading towards radicalism have prevented the possibility of such democratic parlance. The US threatening to cut aid to Pakistan will surely irk the country, as it does not wish to be sidelined by the superpower and the other major countries of the world that are leaning towards that axis. Further, by alienating the US, India's long concern of Pakistan as a terror haven will also gain rampant currency, as is already exhibitive. The decade-old scream of India that blamed Pakistan for launching repeated attacks has finally been recognised on the global front, as Pakistan's true colours as a terror-mongering nation, which does little for the benefit of its own citizens, is now abundantly clear. Yet, what the US is missing is how the vacuum it is leaving behind in Pakistan will be eagerly filled by another superpower that is quietly lurking in the shadows waiting to cling onto every opportunity to further its territorial prowess. Pakistan's all-weather friend, China, will be delighted at this new disaccord that has assumed a global face. It will now be more than willing to step in and fit into the shoes that were so forth filled by the US. But, China can be even more dangerous than the Trump administration. Xi is a master planner, under whom China has witnessed unparalleled growth at the cost of others' freedom and sovereignty. A Pakistan deprived of US support will provide China with the perfect breeding ground to further its dominance across Asia to counter the growing Indo-US nexus. China's role will not only provide Pakistan with a crucial financial backing, but it will also provide support to the country in continuing its harbouring of terrorists. While Donald may have Trumped Pakistan, China could win with its perfect poker face.