Thread by @_AhmedQuraishi

#Pakistan was never a "hired gun" in any war, and it has entered many wars - near and far - for its interests, like any other nation. The narrative of a hired gun is a claptrap; earns political points, but is demeaning for the country, insulting, and self-defeating. /1

History is debatable, but #Pakistan smartly dragged the #US and the free world into a war against the Soviet Union in #Afghanistan; & rightly so. Pak benefited from the project, and also paid a heavy price. The actions of a smart nation that effectively defended its interests. /2

#Pakistan joined the #Bosnia war vs #Serbia+#Russia; helped #Azerbaijan vs #Armenia, #Kuwait vs #Iraq; #Jordan vs militants; supported freedom movements in #Algeria+#Tunisia; backed Western allies in Suez Crisis, helped Kashmiris, & helped counter communism in Arab countries. /3

Why cultivate and promote an image of #Pakistan as a helpless victim; convince young Pakistanis their state is a doormat, when it actually smartly pursued its national interests and dealt with the blowback, which is closer to the truth? /4

Instead of sowing anger into the minds of Pakistanis that could later turn into violence & radicalize migrants Pakistanis in other societies (making them prey to extremism), it is more prudent and effective to smartly engage the world, play the game, and secure your interests. /5

@threadreaderapp unroll

Some #US lawmakers (not all) criticized both the #Biden Admin & #Pakistan on #Afghanistan. Beyond blanket angry statements (which the Indian media eagerly highlighted), an educated Pakistani narrative on how past US govts share the blame, if any, would be a better response. /6

Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month describing official Washington-Islamabad cooperation in Afghanistan:

"#Pakistan and the #US have complete agreement on #Afghanistan, and the interests of both [on Afghan outcome] are one." /7