Following the swearing in of the new government in Islamabad under Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in March 2008, Pakistan-U.S. relations have come under strain. The key areas of dispute involve the new government’s policy of dialogue with the Taliban and the Taliban’s attack on Afghan, U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan. During the past few months, a number of cartoons in Pakistani press have reflected the strain on Pakistan-U.S. relations.
For more on Pakistan and Afghanistan, visit the MEMRI Urdu-Pashtu Blog at http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu.
The following are examples of these cartoons:
Asif Zardari Approves U.S. Designs in Pakistan
"U.S. Will Continue To Support Musharraf, Says Richard Boucher"
Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, July 5, 2008
U.S. Doesn't See Musharraf As A Problem
Source: Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt, Pakistan, July 4, 2008
U.S. No Longer Needs President Musharraf
On Musharraf's chair: "Irrelevant"
Source: Roznama Ausaf, Pakistan, July 3, 2008
Pakistan Undertakes Military Operation For U.S.
"We ourselves are conducting a military operation in the tribal districts, says Pakistan"
Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, July 3, 2008
Richard Boucher Rushes to Pakistan with Aid for Tribal Districts
"Boucher" carrying "gasoline," says "I have gifts for the Pakistani government for the tribal districts." On sign: "Prime Minister's House."
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Source: Roznama Ausaf, Pakistan, July 1, 2008
U.S. Headed to Investigate Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
On Uncle Sam's briefcase: "Investigative commission." On sign on right: "Dr. Qadeer Khan"
Across center: "Give access to Dr. Qadeer Khan, U.S. Foreign Affairs Committee"
Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, June 29, 2008
Musharraf Woos George Bush to Retain His Post
Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, June 27, 2008
U.S. Uses Hamid Karzai To Entangle Pakistan
Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, June 27, 2008
George Bush Lures New Pakistani Gov't With Aid, F-16 Fighter Jets
On left rooster: "New Pakistani government" On food dish: "Seeds of aid + F-16" On right rooster: "India"
Source: Roznama Khabrain, Pakistan, June 26, 2008
President Musharraf's 'Democracy' Plant Seeded by U.S.
Across top: "I cannot cause damage to Democracy plant seeded by me, says Musharraf"
Sign in pot: "Real democracy October 1999 [year of Musharraf's military coup]"
Source: Roznama Ausaf, Pakistan, June 20, 2008
U.S. Prevents Pakistan from Talking with Taliban
"Contacts end between local Taliban and government of the North West Frontier Province"
Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, June 19, 2008
Bush Prompts Hamid Karzai to Threaten Pakistan
Karzai: "I will invade Pakistan"
Source: Roznama Ausaf, Pakistan, June 17, 2008
Cartoon on U.S. Attack in Mohmand Agency
Source: Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt, Pakistan, June 14, 2008
"Negroponte In Islamabad"
Source: Roznama Ausaf, Pakistan, March 27, 2008
Uninvited Guest Bush Arrives at New Pakistani PM's Door
Bush: "I am your guest, whether or not you accept"
Across bottom: "We will work with the new Pakistani government, says U.S."
Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, March 26, 2008
