Pakistan and the United States have been partners against terrorism for the last over one and half decades, but trust deficit remained a challenging area between the two countries despite signing numerous agreements in the fields of social welfare, education, science and technology as well as close cooperation in defense sector. Pakistan is an important country in the region due to its geographical location and is harbinger of Islamic culture and traditions. One may disagree with the notion that Pakistan was made in the name of Islam but its inherent Islamic outlook with ideological Islamic background cannot be denied. The world is fighting against so-called Islamic militancy or terrorism which is actually not Islamic but an anti-Islam campaign to distort the image of Islam as a peaceful religion. However, Pakistan’s cooperation is essential in fight against terrorism because it is the only nuclear power in the Islamic world.
The country is facing economic recession and the world should help improve economy and trade sectors of Pakistan if it wants to ensure peace in the world. Pakistan and the United States are partners in the war on terror and they should also become economic and trade partners. Pakistan’s textile and sports industries can have bright chances to grow if the United States opens its markets to Pakistani products as it has done for Bangladesh and Malaysia. Bangladesh is the 64th largest trading partner of the United States and exports mainly textile products to the United States amounting to $3.7 billion. The Malaysian exports to the United States stands at $27 billion while bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed $42 billion. Pakistan’s exports to the United States stands at $3.7 billion, which is equal to Bangladeshi exports.It should be noted that the size of the Pakistani economy is double than that of Bangladesh.
The United States’ direct investment to Pakistan is nearly $218 million, which is peanuts in one of the largest countries in the world. There is great potential in Pakistan to export viable goods to US, including textile, sports, and software products. Pakistan is an IT giant, but it needs a recognition. The Pakistani government should wake up and take benefit of close relations between the two countries. Japan and China had also started their economic journey by establishing close cooperation with the United States and still both the countries offer lucrative opportunities to the investors of the United States. The US regulates the world economy and Pakistan should avail every opportunity to become economic partner of that country.
