Partners must not be allowed to develop cold feet in their fight against terror, currently concentrated in Pakistan and Afghanistan. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's extensive discussions with President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar seemed to indicate that there is room for one last surge to eradicate this menace.
Aware that Washington's arrogance in dealing with an equal partner is creating negative ripples in Pakistani civil society, Clinton held out the message of cooperation but in a more sophisticated tone.
Both countries have invested heavily in this partnership but the scales seem to be tipped in Pakistan's favour. Pakistanis needs to be trusted since it is they who will have to clean up after the guests have left. Washington needs to evaluate this and ensure that the people of Pakistan do not get the wrong signal in an environment that is already worn down by the weight of conspiracy theories and double-speak.
