Guys no one gives aid for free -- there is always a quid pro quo attached to it. Even our Chinese brothers are the same way but a lot more suave (Saving Face -- the Asian/oriental way) in doing it. They have along term commitment in this area as they live in it. US has relatively shorter term goals in the region.
There is nothing wrong with it. However, our Politicians and quasi politicians (generals) have blamed others for their own near sighted policies and debacles. This is also not new.
Pakistan needs to learn to play this game of use and get used -- India does it very well. The trick is to come out on the top in the this trade. We have yet to master it.
The logical power bases in the region are Russia, China and now India. We need to cultivate the right kind of relationship with the first two for obvious reasons. There is a growing window of opportunity because of the warming relations between India and US.
We have had some success with China but the glass is also half empty vis a vis China. China has also been extremely frugal when dealing with Pakistan on a lot of counts. This WoT is also in the greater interest of China but it has very little contribution in supporting Pakistan through economic support now or the previous government.
There have been reports of delivery of substandard plant and equipment in the commercial sector. Railway carriages, engines, Cranes in Gawader, Fauji Cement Plants, Telecom Equipment etc. This where there was really no quid pro quo.
However, when it comes to delivery of defense equipment specially for the Air Force and the Army, we see a different approach -- relatively better equipment is supplied (Not the top of the line) since Pakistan was a real contributor in terms of upgrade on both the warplanes and AFV's through sharing of their experience.
This is not bad but just good business sense. I am afraid we are naive in thinking that countries help each other out because of brotherly love!!!
US has been consistently short sighted in dealing with Asia as a whole -- this is a carry on from the days right after world war two. The lynch pin of their Asian presence have always been Japan and Korea -- the rest of the countries in the region are an enigma to them. The diplomatic corps. in US is just unable to understand and fathom the complexities of dealing with the "Asian" mind set.
They have had various love affairs with Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Vietnam, even China, but nothing long term has come out of these engagements. Now they are dabbling their finger in the Indian pool -- let us who uses whom there. Knowing a little bit about the Indian mindset, I have a hunch that US would end up holding the short end of the stick.
Bottom line -- we need to learn how to play this game quickly and know when to let go of lost cause and move on to the new one. The world is constantly changing; we need to change as well from the 1948 resolutions, the end of cold war era to the post 9/11 reality and the Indian influence in the region.
My 2C!!!