Anti-US sentiment in Pakistan peaks

Fazle Rashid NEW YORK, Dec 26: New political icon of Pakistan politics legendary cricketer Imran Khan held two mammoth public rallies the tenor of which was anti-US. He called the US Secretary of State Hillary Chachi. It has dawned upon the US administration that there has to be a redrawing of the ties built in the aftermath post 911 massacre. The anti-American sentiments are growing. The killing of civilians in drone attacks has further soured the ties. The redrawing will be under mutual understanding. There is no recrimination. The United States will restrict drone strikes, limit the number of its spies and soldiers on ground, spend more to transport supplies through Pakistan for allied troops in Afghanistan. The United States aid to Pakistan will be reduced sharply, the New York Times in a front page story reported today. The American officials said the relationship will endure but the contours will not be clear until Pakistan completed its wide ranging revaluation, the same report said. Pak-US ties deteriorated after the killing of 28 Pakistani soldiers in US airstrike near Afghan borders last month. Pakistan had immediately closed the border, boycotted a conference in Germany on the future of Afghanistan. An opposition leader in Pakistan summed up the ties saying the US treats Pakistan as a rainy day girl friend. Both countries recognise the benefits of partnering against a common foe but these must be balanced against national interest. Balancing is a continuous process. The CIA has conducted 64 drone attacks this year in Pakistan. Pakistan will force the US to pay more transit fee for goods going to Afghanistan. A western diplomat described the US-Pak ties as gloomy.