Pakistan’s new ‘good friend’

Pakistan Ambassador to USA Sherry Rehman commenting on appointment of Senator John Kerry as new Secretary of State has said that Kerry is none but Islamabad’s friend which on the face of it is quite pleasing but my question is as to when did he prove to be our friend in the past or how will he be our friend in future.

I am neither trying to oppose our honorable ambassador Sherry Rehman nor even picking up any argument with her in connection with her remarks about Kerry but still I would like to know as to how new SS could be our friend simply because in the past we have seen that on each and every occasion USA has bullied us for one reason or the other and we hardly could withstand American pressure. I have my very serious doubts if we really know what does friend mean? Who can be a friend is not an easy question to be answered? Furthermore, do we also know the difference as to who is a known and who is a friend? Let me avail this opportune to elucidate that as a matter of fact friend itself is a big compliment when used for a person because practically speaking the person for whom it is used is just one step less than brother or sister as the case may be and I need not explain who is a brother or sister for that matter. But if one elevates someone as a good friend then that person automatically becomes none but brother or sister.

In each relationship the principle of rights and obligations or in simple words give and take is very much applicable and unless and until the two sides are equal there cannot be any equilibrium between the two parties which is the crux to have good relationship irrespective if the fact whether one is talking of a known or friend or very good friend or even brother/sister. This relationship starting from the status of known becomes stronger and stronger as it touches the stage of friend, good friend and brother/sister to be honest. Now when a good friend is equated like brother then on the same analogy John Kerry is construed to be our brother but regretfully it is not so. He had never been either our brother or good friend and will never ever be so in future too otherwise he shall have to speak and stand for Pakistan and not USA which is next to impossible in any case unless and until John Kerry himself at his own sweet will becomes his own enemy to be honest which is fact and not fiction to be honest.

First of all we should not praise someone unnecessarily but even if we are to praise someone diplomatically then we should be very much cautious and moderate in picking up words for appreciation so that we are honest and judicious in our commendation otherwise on one hand we are lowering ourselves and on the other hand we are elevating someone unrealistically. Now when John Kerry has been labeled by none but our ambassador in USA as good friend he ought to prove as our good friend whom I very much doubt then the question is as to how he will be labeled then? What options we have then? Remove word good and keep him as friend but that too is demanding as a friend he shall have to be on our side even if it is against the interests of USA which I sure he will never ever favor us at the account of annoying his own American government. Under the given peculiar circumstances last option available to us could be that we further down grade Kerry and take him as a known (neither very good friend nor friend) which he will not accept and instead he will pounce on us for relegating him from good friend to just known which will be too insulting and humiliating and even I had objected to it if it was inflicted on me as such.

Sherry Rehman being our ambassador flying our national flag in USA must from today be very thoughtful and choosy to praise anyone if she ought to praise someone but within certain reasonable limits and not otherwise. Didn’t she awkward her position for no reason and rhyme? Anyone on my side or anyone on her side is my question which needs an answer and not silence to tell you the truth?