Adil Najam
ATP has speculated before that there may be a US-Pakistan ‘falling out of love’ going on right now. The ATP Photo Quiz from this Saturday (15 July, 2006) provides us a nice opportunity to remember the “good ol’ days” and how the two countries fell in love in the first place.
But coming back to the US-Pakistan relations, the relationship is a long-surviving one, but it has been (and remains) a rocky ride. By far the most public, unconditional and affectionate demonstration of this relationship–honeymoon, if you will–was when Pakistan Prime Minister Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan came on a state visit to the US in May 1950. These pictures above show just how much more elaborate that visit was than anything since; in fact, no one visits the US like this anymore.
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali was received at the airport by US President Harry Truman (pictured), spoke to the US House of Representatives (pictured), was given multiple military parades (pictured), got an honorary degree from Columbia University (pictured), a public parade from the city of New York (pictured), both Nawabzada sahib and begum sahiba visited and spoke at multiple universities, including Raana Liaquat Ali speaking at Wellesley College and the Prime Minister meeting the President of MIT, and much more. Indeed, when he arrived at the airport, the Pakistan Prime Minister was greeted by US President Harry Truman, his wife, their daughter Margaret, and most of the US cabinet.
That was the beginning of a long but stormy friendship that never really became what either side wanted it to be. Aah, how times have changed!
Pictures from the website of the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
[As it turns out this last ATP Photo Quiz was much more difficult than previous ones though, as you will see, one reader (Naveed) did get both people right and a few others guessed at least one of the two people in the picture. Check out the original ATP Photo Quiz to find who those two were!]
@ Mr. Owais Mughal. That speech of Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan is still in the course but is now at the BA Level. It is part of the BA Compulsory English course, makes for a rather interesting read.
As for the Soviet/USA choice, from what I have heard Liaquat Ali Khan did initially want to contact the USSR but they delayed their response so much due to reasons that later became a part of the Rawalpindi Conspiracy (as it is called) that he was left with no other option but to align himself with the States.
Khalid Sahib,
What are you saying? Both sides did get nothing from the relationship? That can’t be true brother. The U.S. has pumped billions into Pakistan and Pakistan has provided ‘space’ whenever and whereever required from time to time. We have also acquired F16 technology and other weaponry over the years. They helped us drive the Soviets from Afghanistan. What more can one friend ask for from another? Unless you are living on another planet, you should that we have a historical relationship dating back decades as our dear friend Dr. Najam has so eloquently pointed out in his praise for LAK and his enduring contribution to USPak friendship.
The US-Pakistan relationship has been a complex one and as the post suggests, NIETHER side has gotten what it expected from the relationship. Thinking of what might have happened if we had joined the USSR side (IF they had let us, of which there is only dubious evidence) is utter speculation and rather useless. Our leaders have mostly found US infidility a convenient excuse, just as they have found the Indian threat to be a convenient excuse. There is truth in both points, but ultimately we have made plenty of mistakes ourselves also.
I think America is truly blessed to have a friend like Pakistan. After all, which country opened the door for America to enter China? So, in a way, Pakistan is also responsible for the spectacular economic growth that China has witnessed in the last decade. Not only that, Pakistan can also lay claim to the opening up of American markets to Chinese Manufacturers. In turn, China has reciprocated this help by giving us Gwadar. Long Live US-Pakistan friendship.
Guys – What is this blog turning into? I thought this was meant for serious discussion on the hot topics of the day.
Instead it is becoming a haven for those who want to indulge in Pakistan ‘love fest’ and turning into ‘I love you, you love me’, ‘look how cozy we were with the United States’ and tons of reminiscing the good ol days and recalling past glory. At the rate at which Dr. Najam is looking back, we may soon find pcitures of Aurangazeb and the golden era of Mughal rule in the sub continent.