AMERICANS claim that they are helping Pakistan fight the Taliban and other extremist elements not only in Pakistan but in the neighbouring Afghanistan. Besides near daily drone attacks, the US Administration has recently pledged $5.3 billion in aid to that nation.

But what do Pakistani think? Anti-American sentiment is increasing as terrorist violence grows and the U.S. increases its drone attacks on militant targets in Pakistan’s tribal areas. A survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center in August showed that 64 per cent of Pakistanis regard the U.S. as an enemy. A poll released in October by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland shows 90 percent of Pakistanis think the U.S. abuses its power, the highest among the 22 countries surveyed. Dislike for the American government is worldwide phenomenon, although people struggle hard to go and live there. They make distinction between the American people and the government.

Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation, has been a key ally for America’s $200 billion war in neighboring Afghanistan.

Ayesha Jalal, a professor of history at Medford, Massachusetts-based Tufts University. says ,“The overwhelming reason is the American presence in Afghanistan, which, together with Washington’s flourishing relationship with India, is seen as a ruse to encircle and squeeze Pakistan.”
The other reason is American support for military dictators over the decades. There is an assessment that the U.S. administration, in order to implement its agenda in the world, has been supporting dictators through history.

Heightened anti-American sentiment in Pakistan could surely jeopardize the U.S. ability to partner with Pakistan effectively on its anti terrorist front There is strong sentiment in Pakistan that the U.S. is fickle and untrustworthy.

The Pew survey also showed 70 percent of Pakistanis rate the Taliban unfavorably, compared with 33 percent a year ago. October has been the worst month with daily militant attacks and Pakistani army making scathing attacks in the tribal areas. Guerrillas have attacked the army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi, carried out commando-style raids on police stations and sensitive installations in Lahore and bombed an Islamabad university. Peshawar is the worst hit place with daily bloodletting.

Since President Barack Obama took office nine months ago, there have been 39 attacks in Pakistan using drones, or unmanned aircraft, compared with 32 in 2008. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry said in June at least 528 civilians had been killed in drone attacks, without giving a time period. The leader of Pakistan’s Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, was killed in a drone attack in August, according to the U.S. government. His successor, Hakimullah Mehsud, has said his death would be avenged with bombings in major cities.

The U.S. has given Pakistan $10 billion in aid since 2001.

As violence increases both the Pakistani government and the U S Administration increasingly face hostile public opinion. There is hatred for the U.S. among the people and the media portrays that picture and thereby adds to that. There is a feeling that America has used Pakistan in its geo-political game, huge American aid not withstanding. It is true that one should not expect love when missiles hit homes and dollars in exchange do not matter.

Does this sentiment matter to the rulers anywhere?

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