Will President Trump be good or bad for Pakistan?

[Divergent]

Great. Orange is the new black. We got a tangerine.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

Will President Trump be good or bad for Pakistan?
Views range from 'nobody knows' to 'expect muscle-flexing'.
DAWN.COMUPDATED 11 minutes ago
Not one to mince words, in 2012, an angry Trump had tweeted: "When will Pakistan apologise to us for providing safe sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden for 6 years?! Some 'ally'."

The candidate also seems to have a soft spot for India. Just last month, he attended an elaborate charity event hosted by Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) and promised that India and the US would be “best friends” if he were president.

So, what would a Trump presidency mean for Pakistan?

Here's what some experts and commentators think.

Space for hawks?
It will depend on how foreign policy experts shape his regional agenda. If he gives space to hawks, it is possible Pakistan may face repercussions over its association with militant groups. On the flipside, he has not spoken about Pakistan that much so there is a chance his Middle East agenda takes up most of his policy space and we end up getting ignored.

— Umair Javed
Umair Javed is a freelance columnist.

No clear plan for Pakistan
Nobody knows how Trump will approach the complexity of the issues that come with America's Pakistan policy. There is Afghanistan, there is the stability of a nuclear-armed country, there are regional complexities with India, China and Iran vested in some way or the other. For a man with a simple mind, there is no telling how he will balance all these out to draw a path forward for himself on Pakistan.

— Khurram Hussain
Khurram Hussain is a part of Dawn's staff.

Republicans as friends?
Traditionally Republicans have been closer to Pakistan, especially the establishment; but Trump isn’t your traditional Republican. I think Trump’s presidency has greater significance domestically in the US. [It is symptomatic of] the shift towards politics of hate and fear in the western world. What it means for Pakistan, who knows.

— Reema Omer
Reema Omer is a legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists.

The devil you know
"For those who think Clinton might be a hawk regarding Pakistan, just remember it's much preferable dealing with challenging policy than hate/bigotry"

— Babar Sattar, via Twitter
Babar Sattar is a lawyer.

More of the same for Pakistan
A Trump presidency will certainly be disconcerting because of its potential unpredictability - but Pakistani policy makers will face the same pro-India slant, and the same surplus of expectations from the Pakistani military that have been the staple of US policy since 1992. A Trump presidency will not change the fundamentals of the dysfunctional Pakistan-US relationship.

— Mosharraf Zaidi
Mosharraf Zaidi is part of the Alif Ailaan campaign for education.

Muscle flexing ahead?
We have no idea how a Trump presidency would affect Pakistan, because he has not really talked about policy during this election. We aren't really sure who his team is going to be. Reports suggest Newt Gingrich is his top pick for Secretary of State. Gingrich did bring up Pakistan on stage at the June Republican Convention. He paraphrased and decontextualised a PEW study to say that 16 million Pakistanis support ISIS. He thought that was an important thing to mention. I guess that's a precursor to the kind of muscle flexing we might see if Gingrich becomes Secretary of State.

— Sahar Habib Ghazi
Sahar Habib Ghazi is the managing editor at 'Global Voices'.

Back home
"Trump win good for Pakistan. Rich, educated Pakistanis will come back to Pakistan"

— Farrukh Saleem via Twitter
Farrukh Saleem is a columnist who writes for 'The News'.

Hoping for peace
"I hope he [Donald Trump] will focus keenly to bring peace and stability around the world and demonstrate deliberate leadership in resolving the conflicts in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. We must trust and work together to crush terrorism and eliminate extremism from a position of strength. United States should not quit from Afghanistan; it's combat troop draw-down should be effect-related and not time-related."

— Pervez Musharraf via Facebook
Pervez Musharraf is a former president of Pakistan and the founder of All Pakistan Muslim League.

Gift to jihadists
"On a serious note: Trump's victory will be an enormous gift to a failing jihadist movement, that will have now have a renewed rallying cry. If jihadi ideology has a source of sustenance, it is the image of the US as the evil anti-Muslim crusader. They will milk Trump's win dry."

— Ammar Rashid via Twitter
Ammar Rashid is a researcher, teacher, political worker at AWP and musician.

is trump good or bad for America?

Pakistan is way low in the order so don't need to worry
he is untested, irrational and volatile. so lets wait and see.

 

[maximuswarrior]

is trump good or bad for America?

Pakistan is way low in the order so don't need to worry
he is untested, irrational and volatile. so lets wait and see.

Oh, we are waiting and we will be watching like hawks for sure. The elections are not even the beginning. Trump hasn't even started yet. The more I think about the election result the more I'm convinced that Trump is the right guy to absolutely shatter US standing and credentials in the coming 4 years. 4 years is a long time and a lot will happen. We know it will. People don't comprehend it yet. You are spot on. Trump is emotional and deeply unhinged. He will prove it like he did during the election campaign. Only a matter of time.

As for Pakistan, let him please do or say something in his own peculiar way. I can't wait for the fun to begin. I have been waiting and yearning for this moment.

Donald Trump as US President is something to be celebrated as it will dispel the propaganda by liberal elite class of Pakistan that US is a friend of Pakistan just like win of Indian Modi as an Indian PM did. For the first time, the world is witnessing the a nationalistic US President with nothing but empty rhetoric which will bring chaos around the globe.

The history of the world proves that whenever a nationalistic person becomes the head of any state, the destruction of that state follows soon. The most recent examples are Adolf Hitler and Mikhail Gorbachev bringing destruction upon their respective nations due to their blind nationalistic policies.

The Indian Modi is anti-muslim, anti-Pakistan, aka "Butcher of Gujarat" RSS goon and US Trump is pervert, a white supremacist, Islamophobic, racist and a political nightmare. Thanks to the Modi, the propaganda of "Aman Ki Asha" is laid to rest for all times to come exposing the real face of India, Trump as US president will do the same for Pakistan as he openly sides with India when it comes to his policy towards Pakistan.

The effects of civil disturbances have also started to appear with Trump as president as most of the foreign nationals have decided to move to Canada so much so that Newspaper Independent reported that Canadian immigration website crashed due to huge requests for Canadian visas by foreign nationals in US.

Trump may prove to be a political nightmare for the world but he will pave the way for destruction of civil infrastructure of US.

Couldn't have said it better. Sometimes you need an enemy who doesn't attack behind your back. Trump is such a guy and we need him to be direct and transparent. This is an opportunity and they don't come easily. We should grasp it with both hands.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

Will President Trump be good or bad for Pakistan?
Views range from 'nobody knows' to 'expect muscle-flexing'.
DAWN.COMUPDATED 11 minutes ago
Not one to mince words, in 2012, an angry Trump had tweeted: "When will Pakistan apologise to us for providing safe sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden for 6 years?! Some 'ally'."

The candidate also seems to have a soft spot for India. Just last month, he attended an elaborate charity event hosted by Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) and promised that India and the US would be “best friends” if he were president.

So, what would a Trump presidency mean for Pakistan?

Here's what some experts and commentators think.

Space for hawks?
It will depend on how foreign policy experts shape his regional agenda. If he gives space to hawks, it is possible Pakistan may face repercussions over its association with militant groups. On the flipside, he has not spoken about Pakistan that much so there is a chance his Middle East agenda takes up most of his policy space and we end up getting ignored.

— Umair Javed
Umair Javed is a freelance columnist.

No clear plan for Pakistan
Nobody knows how Trump will approach the complexity of the issues that come with America's Pakistan policy. There is Afghanistan, there is the stability of a nuclear-armed country, there are regional complexities with India, China and Iran vested in some way or the other. For a man with a simple mind, there is no telling how he will balance all these out to draw a path forward for himself on Pakistan.

— Khurram Hussain
Khurram Hussain is a part of Dawn's staff.

Republicans as friends?
Traditionally Republicans have been closer to Pakistan, especially the establishment; but Trump isn’t your traditional Republican. I think Trump’s presidency has greater significance domestically in the US. [It is symptomatic of] the shift towards politics of hate and fear in the western world. What it means for Pakistan, who knows.

— Reema Omer
Reema Omer is a legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists.

The devil you know
"For those who think Clinton might be a hawk regarding Pakistan, just remember it's much preferable dealing with challenging policy than hate/bigotry"

— Babar Sattar, via Twitter
Babar Sattar is a lawyer.

More of the same for Pakistan
A Trump presidency will certainly be disconcerting because of its potential unpredictability - but Pakistani policy makers will face the same pro-India slant, and the same surplus of expectations from the Pakistani military that have been the staple of US policy since 1992. A Trump presidency will not change the fundamentals of the dysfunctional Pakistan-US relationship.

— Mosharraf Zaidi
Mosharraf Zaidi is part of the Alif Ailaan campaign for education.

Muscle flexing ahead?
We have no idea how a Trump presidency would affect Pakistan, because he has not really talked about policy during this election. We aren't really sure who his team is going to be. Reports suggest Newt Gingrich is his top pick for Secretary of State. Gingrich did bring up Pakistan on stage at the June Republican Convention. He paraphrased and decontextualised a PEW study to say that 16 million Pakistanis support ISIS. He thought that was an important thing to mention. I guess that's a precursor to the kind of muscle flexing we might see if Gingrich becomes Secretary of State.

— Sahar Habib Ghazi
Sahar Habib Ghazi is the managing editor at 'Global Voices'.

Back home
"Trump win good for Pakistan. Rich, educated Pakistanis will come back to Pakistan"

— Farrukh Saleem via Twitter
Farrukh Saleem is a columnist who writes for 'The News'.

Hoping for peace
"I hope he [Donald Trump] will focus keenly to bring peace and stability around the world and demonstrate deliberate leadership in resolving the conflicts in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. We must trust and work together to crush terrorism and eliminate extremism from a position of strength. United States should not quit from Afghanistan; it's combat troop draw-down should be effect-related and not time-related."

— Pervez Musharraf via Facebook
Pervez Musharraf is a former president of Pakistan and the founder of All Pakistan Muslim League.

Gift to jihadists
"On a serious note: Trump's victory will be an enormous gift to a failing jihadist movement, that will have now have a renewed rallying cry. If jihadi ideology has a source of sustenance, it is the image of the US as the evil anti-Muslim crusader. They will milk Trump's win dry."

— Ammar Rashid via Twitter
Ammar Rashid is a researcher, teacher, political worker at AWP and musician.

I can't believe we are even having this conversation. The Trump election will having 0 effect on Pakistan. It's got nothing to do with us. Pakistan is a nation that has defied ALL odds to exist for nearly 70 years. Pakistan is the first ever nation in recorded human history to have managed to fend off and deflect an enemy nation that is more than 7× bigger than us and has abundant access to the world's most advanced weapons systems whilst we are denied this privilege. We have managed to do this entirely by ourselves. Pakistan is the most toughest and resilient nation on earth. The americans chosing a pro-White president doesn't change that and is of no consequence to us. US perception and policy towards Pakistan is not going to change. It will be the same as it had been for at the past 2 decades, which is becoming more and more meaningless to us. Apart from China and Turkey, ALL other nations are irrelevant and useless to Pakistan. It's about time Pakistanis realized these facts and stop looking for acknowledgement and praise from those who have got nothing to do with us.

The Trump election is really going to negatively impact Muslims living in America, Latinos/South Americans in America and black americans. But that's not the problem of Pakistan. We have more pressing issues to deal with.

We couldn't care less who the americans elect and what they do as long as it doesn't involve us. None of our business. Move on Pakistani people. Get on with your lives.

 

[tarrar]

In my opinion, we will see Indian lobby very active against Pakistan & will do whatever they can to spread massive propaganda against Pakistan. So we shouldn't be surprised to see India crying & jumping straight in Trumps lap & pointing finger towards Pakistan. In coming times we will see India & US signing many deals many of them will be directly against Pakistan. I say, there are tough coming for Pakistan & with massively corrupt & incompetent politicians in Pakistan & running Pakistan it is going to be mighty hard for Pakistan to face both the threats.

 

[Village life]

I think there is nothing going to change too much for Pakistan ,USA's policy for Pakistan is always being drawn by its ever strong establishment,that is already not very warm with Pakistan now a days they are playing with Pakistan and so is the Pakistan, things have not gone good for Pakistani political parties, specially for PPP, Benazir bhuto in past had good relationship with H.Clinton, and due to that she gave favor to PPP many times,now Asifa bhuto Zardari enjoys that leverage, and the plan was to get some relaxations from Pakistani establishment had H.C been selected, but tadbeer kunand banda,takdeer kunand Khuda,

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

In my opinion, we will see Indian lobby very active against Pakistan & will do whatever they can to spread massive propaganda against Pakistan. So we shouldn't be surprised to see India crying & jumping straight in Trumps lap & pointing finger towards Pakistan. In coming times we will see India & US signing many deals many of them will be directly against Pakistan. I say, there are tough coming for Pakistan & with massively corrupt & incompetent politicians in Pakistan & running Pakistan it is going to be mighty hard for Pakistan to face both the threats.

YAWN........YAWN..........Heard it all before. indian lobby have been doing their indian things against Pakistan for many years. Made no difference whatsoever. They couldn't stop us from becoming a nuclear weapons state, they ain't going to be able to do anything against Pakistan. In fact we are doing much better now than we have done in our entire history. More scaremongering. Unless it's not China and/or Turkey, no other country is going to affect Pakistan. All talk and hot air, no action.

The only people that Trump's election is going to affect are Muslims, Latinos and Blacks in America. Once the racists become more emboldened with Trump's election than other non-whites will also have to suffer. But I could not give a toss.

 

[Baba Google]

 

[Irfan Baloch]

Oh, we are waiting and we will be watching like hawks for sure. The elections are not even the beginning. Trump hasn't even started yet. The more I think about the election result the more I'm convinced that Trump is the right guy to absolutely shatter US standing and credentials in the coming 4 years. 4 years is a long time and a lot will happen. We know it will. People don't comprehend it yet. You are spot on. Trump is emotional and deeply unhinged. He will prove it like he did during the election campaign. Only a matter of time.

As for Pakistan, let him please do or say something in his own peculiar way. I can't wait for the fun to begin. I have been waiting and yearning for this moment.



Couldn't have said it better. Sometimes you need an enemy who doesn't attack behind your back. Trump is such a guy and we need him to be direct and transparent. This is an opportunity and they don't come easily. We should grasp it with both hands.

as much as I disagreed with his non-pc remarks and cursed and envied him for successfully using the public anger to his advantage.. I actually despised Hillary who I see as dishonest and lackey of the establishment full of herself too arrogant to see that people (middle lower working class) despised her type. Berny Sanders could have given a better fight but he was unacceptable to establishment and donors of democratic party.
but that is the past

if Trump can deliver on just one thing.. disengagement from conflicts in the world then that will be the biggest contribution to world peace and better American image. he already announced some infrastructre projecgts,. that bing jobs and get the things going and show tangibly to layman that he is doing as he promised.(yea he can build a wall too and it wont do any harm),

interesting times we live in

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

as much as I disagreed with his non-pc remarks and cursed and envied him for successfully using the public anger to his advantage.. I actually despised Hillary who I see as dishonest and lackey of the establishment full of herself too arrogant to see that people (middle lower working class) despised her type. Berny Sanders could have given a better fight but he was unacceptable to establishment and donors of democratic party.
but that is the past

if Trump can deliver on just one thing.. disengagement from conflicts in the world then that will be the biggest contribution to world peace and better American image. he already announced some infrastructre projecgts,. that bing jobs and get the things going and show tangibly to layman that he is doing as he promised.(yea he can build a wall too and it wont do any harm),

interesting times we live in

According to the Turkish media, Reis Erdo'an has already congratulated Mr. Trump and had a friendly conversation. Extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the head of FETO terrorist org and currently residing in Pennsylvania, has been discussed with the Trump team and they have given a positive response. Let's see what happens..

 

[Nefarious]

Hilary would have been worse for Pak imo.

Trump...worst case scenario is aid will be cut but at the same time going by Trump's recent comments on Pak, last thing he wants is a destabilised 'nuclear' Pakistan.

Other side of the border, Modi will continue to complain about Pakistan and vice versa.

Bottom line US will likely continue throwing orders at Pakistan whilst dangling the aid carrot. In other words, business as usual.

 

[Hamza913]

We are sick and tired of all the mess in the middle east already.... What you guys need to be talking about is trying to figure out a way you all can live in peace with your nighbors.

Stop talking bad about America and Isreal... stop burning our flags in the street...

Talk to local leaders encourage peace and demand work and education. Teach your kids the right way in life.

Technology and Social media brining people all over the world together... I see good times ahead of us.

Please stand by our side when pushing comes to shove with Iran.

No, you need to stop invading countries and then crying when they fight back.

We can talk bad about those who commit bad actions, by your logic I should keep my mouth shut about Hitlers war crimes, but we know how much you guys love going on about him.

Talk to your politicians to encourage peace and demand work and education as well as no more military intervention, teach your children to not be bigoted or corrupt, that way your future politicians won't be as horrible as the current ones.

If you see good times ahead, then I don't know what you consider bad.

As for that last point, no.

 

[LeGenD]

Trump will bully Pakistan even more than it has been bullied in the past. Americans true faces are revealed since they voted an arrogant hardliner. I never thought Americans could do this but here we are. The worlds most arrogant nation at its most arrogant point. Did anyone read what Trump has always said about Pakistan? And muslim immigrants? Trump will push Pakistani American relations into the abyss. He also supports India. We are in deep shit.

And this is why we fail...

This was never about Pakistan; this was about American issues and a strong leader to steer it. Donald Trump won the elections because his focus was on real issues such as jobs, Middle Class, insurance policy, unproductive immigration and terrorism. While Hillary Clinton focused on cosmetic-issues like woman rights, black rights and immigrant rights.

Americans are not arrogant; they have similar concerns that we face such as lack of job opportunities, controversial pacts with other states and lack of stand on certain issues. Essentially, roti, kapra and makaan.

Trump will take action against unregistered and unproductive immigrants. Not immigrants on the whole. His wife is an immigrant. Do you expect him to deport his wife?

This is why people should not comment on developments that they do not properly understand. Fail.

 

[Zibago]

We are sick and tired of all the mess in the middle east already.... What you guys need to be talking about is trying to figure out a way you all can live in peace with your nighbors.

Stop talking bad about America and Isreal... stop burning our flags in the street...

Talk to local leaders encourage peace and demand work and education. Teach your kids the right way in life.

Technology and Social media brining people all over the world together... I see good times ahead of us.

Please stand by our side when pushing comes to shove with Iran.

We dont need to burn flags when your own people are doing it

Na i see a new war in the Middle East (ground invasion of Syria by US)and on issue of Iran well waging a war on Iran will be super destructive for the region even thinking about it is bad

We are sick and tired of all the mess in the middle east already.... What you guys need to be talking about is trying to figure out a way you all can live in peace with your nighbors.

Stop talking bad about America and Isreal... stop burning our flags in the street...

Talk to local leaders encourage peace and demand work and education. Teach your kids the right way in life.

Technology and Social media brining people all over the world together... I see good times ahead of us.

Please stand by our side when pushing comes to shove with Iran.

The middle east woulsnt.be so messed up if Obama didnt destrot Libys on pretext if democracy

We are sick and tired of all the mess in the middle east already.... What you guys need to be talking about is trying to figure out a way you all can live in peace with your nighbors.

Stop talking bad about America and Isreal... stop burning our flags in the street...

Talk to local leaders encourage peace and demand work and education. Teach your kids the right way in life.

Technology and Social media brining people all over the world together... I see good times ahead of us.

Please stand by our side when pushing comes to shove with Iran.

Anywho i see relation going from bad to worse under trump
Lets hope what you say is true

 

[randaam janmam]

Thats what you said. After little years modism will be pretty obvious. The true factual brutal extremist are indo-american modis, which is inner tumour. And tumours usually are diagnosed at 4th stage, when beyond repair.

bye bye.

Sure, sure. all your dreams will come true. India will destroy itself. Pakistanis will watch wit glee. Of course.

Bye bye.