While making decisions regarding two powers, countries think twice to protect their sovereignty, national interests, and inhabitants’ future. These decisions can be proved fruitful or bitter for the country. Making these decisions, the country’s administration, policymakers, and the country’s inhabitants play a critical role, especially in a country where democracy is ruled.
Moving towards this direction, Pakistan is confronting to decide while keeping the sovereignty, security, and national interests at priority. Although the US didn’t demand bases in Pakistan to officially set an operation in Afghanistan, critics and analysts predict that Pakistan can be an ideal location for US bases as in the past. There are three available options for the US: Iran, Pakistan, and India.
As we know, the rivalry between Iran and the US after Iran’s Islamic revolution, so there is no chance for the US to get any base or even any contribution by Iran in this regard. Jumping on the second option India, although both countries have good relation since recent past and latter can provide the bases, it will not be ideal for the former. If we talk about the Pakistan perspective, it can be a perfect location for the US bases to keep their presence in Afghanistan after troops withdrawal.
Recalling history, Pakistan allowed the US twice to set their bases in the territory of Pakistan: Firstly, in 1953-54 CIA set their headquarters to spy on USSR, and secondly in 2001 after 9/11 when they started the war on terror to counter-terrorism and militant groups in Afghanistan. Both times, Pakistan agreed due to the pressure from the US, economically and militantly.
Now, Pakistan has become more stable than in the past and looking forward to a significant investment from old friend China in the form of CPEC that can boost Pakistan’s economy, security, and building new infrastructure. This time, Pakistan is not alone and can’t be pressured by the US. Taking advantage and protecting these interests, Pakistan denied and will deny the US to set their bases in Pakistan to launch an operation against the Taliban or Afghanistan.
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In addition, the second factor is that Pakistan has now become aware of the selfishness and the America first policy of the US. Back to history, Pakistani soldiers, almost 34, were martyred in the Salala attack in 2011 by the NATO troops near the Afghan border. Also, Osama bin Landan was killed by the US army in the territory of Pakistan without the warning or permission of Pakistan’s officials. There are many other incidents ready to exemplify, but the thing is that these incidents hurt Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Keeping the above factors in mind, Pakistan doesn’t want to repeat the dark history and mistakes at any cost. Also, Pakistan doesn’t want to disturb the security and national interests by doing this act. So, Pakistan’s primer Imran Khan took the right decision at right and showed the world what Pakistan has interests and wants to protect at any length.