"To give the Pakistan-US relationship a chance, my argument would be to solve the existing problems through investment and re-building the trust and allow the governments to follow," Munter said. While giving a historical background of Pakistan-US relations, he pointed out that besides thinking over the historical background of this relationship, it is also equally important to think about the future and try to speculate the strengths and possibilities of the future.
He said that there was an overemphasis on two problems: how the US looks at Pakistan through an Afghan lens and how the rift between the two countries is made out to be an entirely bilateral issue. Each country has its own sets of problems, he said, adding that both the US and Pakistan have enormous philanthropic traditions. He said that both the countries have a huge pool of talented and educated people, adding that they need to utilise these assets, look at a long-term vision and make an investment in future.
Munter lamented that given the old rhetoric, building the relationship will be an uphill task. "The relationship is sometimes viewed as a zero-sum game, which is one of the problems," he said. One way these problems can be addressed is through building ties in institutions, adding that a non-state institution can get those goals achieved, which the government aspires for.
Referring to the East West Institute, he said that it is a key to the future of the relationship between Pakistan and the US. To collectively and patiently work towards a brighter future, he asserted that the best way forward is to utilise thinkers, policymakers and the youth from both the countries.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman Board of Governors ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood (retd) threw light on the historical perspective of Pakistan-US relations, saying that it is evident that extreme polarity has been the hallmark of the relations between the two countries.
He pointed out while numerous security pacts between the two countries are evidence of good times, the opposite can be seen in how Pakistan repeatedly became part of the US sanctions. He emphasised the need for reviving positive comprehensive dialogue to encourage any positive sentiment. He pointed out that restoration of mutual trust is the essential requirement of the day. He further said that the US needs to stop looking at Pakistan through the Afghanistan prism and there is a need for long-term bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Chairman KCFR Ikram Sehgal thanked Ambassador Munter and other participants. He said that the world is changing for the better for Pakistan, adding that Pakistan does not need to pick and choose its friends and needs to be more global while choosing its policies.