LETTERS

Re “Clinton sees dire threat in Pakistan,” April 23

The recent news highlighting Pakistan’s peace agreement with the Taliban in the Swat Valley seems to have alarmed policymakers in Washington. However, far from an “existential threat” to Pakistan, that country’s deliberate accommodation of the Taliban is consistent with its behavior over the last 20 years.

Islamabad has long used the Taliban as a proxy to control Afghanistan, analysts have argued. After the eventual U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan will probably again empower the Taliban to reassert control over its neighboring country. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government and army will continue to extract billions of dollars in U.S. aid.

When will our leaders wise up to the game Pakistan has been playing?

Jagdish Trivedi

Garden Grove

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At a congressional hearing last week, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stressed the need for the Pakistani diaspora to speak out against Talibanization in Pakistan.

To set the record straight: The Pakistani American community has consistently raised its voice against the spread of extremism globally. Sadly, the mainstream U.S. media hardly pay attention.

We too are deeply concerned about the recent developments in northern Pakistan, and especially this deal with the Taliban, because it appears to be a concession of control. The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee has openly and unequivocally communicated its concerns about the rise of insurgency and loss of security to the government of Pakistan. We have taken our concerns to the airwaves in the U.S. and in Pakistan. We have urged local mosques to denounce violent acts committed by the extremist minority in the name of Islam. We also have voiced our concerns on Capitol Hill.

Let it not be thought that the Pakistani diaspora is sitting idly by. We agree with Clinton that instability in Pakistan is a global problem and requires collective action. We remain available to do our share to ensure the development of a strong and constructive U.S.-Pakistan relationship.

M. Saud Anwar

Laurel, Md.

The writer is president of the Pakistan American Public Affairs Committee.