Why it took US seven months to apologize to Pakistan

Long at last a seven-month standoff between the US and Pakistan has come to an end. It was made possible only after the “big brother” US apologized to Pakistan for the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers last fall in the fire.

Representing the US, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said as quoted by national and international media: “We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives.”

Following this development, Pakistan will allow NATO supply lines into Afghanistan where the US is trying to stabilize the situation before quitting the country into the safe hands of the national army.

Will the apology that the Pakistanis had been demanding since the incident took place help improve frayed tension between the two countries? Why did it take US so long to apologize?

In the initial days when the US declined to apologize it had led to relation between the two countries hit a new low. Many incidents took place triggering debate in the international community about the fragile relationship between Pakistan and the US.

Despite many pressures to lift the embargo, Pakistan Army continued to take a tough stand, demanding apology. Now when the row has been settled the reopening of the lines will save the US hundreds of dollars in war costs.

At the same time Pakistan will also benefit from it as it could get the needed funds shore up its economy. Have both the countries ended up winner?

(Khan is a New Delhi-based political commentator)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Okhla Times.