In the years since September 11, 2001, one of the most critical issues in international relations has been the relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Both governments have expended enormous effort into creating a sustainable, broad-based partnership. However, security concerns and a climate of mistrust continue to dominate the relationship. Many U.S. policymakers have expressed concerns that Pakistan is not serious about countering militancy based in the country. Conversely, many Pakistani leaders feel that the U.S. does not have a long-term commitment to Pakistan and that the bilateral relationship is largely transactional. These leaders fear that following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan later this year, the U.S. will also largely abandon Pakistan. Proponents of this view point to the situation following the end of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, when the U.S. downsized its presence in the region while Pakistan absorbed a massive influx of refugees and the associated social and political challenges including violent extremism. These divergent views about the future of the relationship have constrained the efforts of both governments to achieve more positive ties between the two countries.
In response to the urgent need to improve the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, the U.S. –Pakistan Leaders Forum was founded in 2011. The Forum is organized by three U.S.-based nonprofits: the Consensus Building Institute, the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, and the Institute for Resource and Security Studies working with a number of partners and advisers in the U.S. and Pakistan. The initiative seeks to convene diverse American and Pakistani leaders to discuss common challenges and build action-oriented cooperation on shared opportunities. Over the past few years, these efforts have led to new linkages between businesses and entrepreneurs; new levels of cooperation in education; and new collaborations among media, cultural and religious leaders from both countries.
Participants of the USPLF Forum on Education & Agriculture held in Lahore in 2011
As part of USPLF’s efforts to promote positive dialogue between Americans and Pakistanis, this blog will highlight those individuals and institutions that are working to encourage cooperation and bring citizens of the two countries closer together. In doing so, our hope is to expand beyond, and add new perspective to, the prevailing public narrative that focuses on the most challenging aspects of the relationship. While there are difficult issues that need to resolved between the two countries, it is important to shine a light on the positive impact being made through cooperation among individuals and groups across all sectors of society including scientists, artists, businesspeople, and civil society activists. In telling these stories we hope to break down stereotypes about Americans and Pakistanis and encourage the development of improved people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Spotlight on Cooperation 