The entire world is riveted by the US presidential elections, but none more then a people living 7000 miles away from Washington DC. Here reside a people with more then enough problems of their own; chronic food shortage, rapidly rising inflation, sharply depleting reserves, power shortages for more then fourteen hours a day; more over a nation ravaged by a global war waged over it’s soil –and in it’s very cities -by some of it’s own people against the nations defense forces and it’s allies. Facing an erosion of internal stability along with severe economic, political, social crisis; one would have thought that the US presidential elections would have been far from their thoughts. The entire nation of Pakistan is following the news avidly as it breathlessly awaits the outcome of the US elections now approaching the finish line; an election in which the center of attention for both campaigns with respect to foreign policy issues has been Pakistan. So much depends on this American election that it is frightening to learn only half of Americans eligible to vote will do so.

Pakistan has been a US ally -some would say a client state- for a long time. It has paid the price of its loyalty in the form of a drug and gun culture born amidst the throes of the Soviet-Afghan War. Daily it counts the cost as radical Islamist terrorists strike in the country’s alleys and streets. These are the very same “mujahedeen” trained and armed by the US (and their willing ally Pakistan) to bring the Soviet empire to its knees, and then abandoned when the purpose was achieved. Both the American people, as well as the people of Pakistan, have paid dearly for this mistake in the shape of a global goliath of terrorism now stalking our dreams.

Truly our dreams drive our decisions-as well as our delusions. And assuredly they have shaped the love-hate relationship that has characterized Pak-US relations. Thus while many of us have hated Americans for our perceptions about the fickleness of their government’s promises or the over riding greed and ambition of their politicians and capitalists; none of us has ever failed to be inspired by the ideals of its peoples. Despite the roller-coaster state of our relationships, many in Pakistan still stand by America because for them the ‘American Dream’ is their dream. And while we have yet to attain it here, we all have heard of a great America, where anything is possible, where dreams come true.

This US election is for many Pakistanis another manifestation of that dream. The people of Pakistan like many in the US are looking for change; we have had some very tough years, and will surely have tougher years ahead. But after bleeding and suffering together with the American people for so long, we are hoping to see a friend in the White House. A friend who sees our sufferings and limitations along sides the dreams and opportunities to forge a bright future for our two great peoples.

It is in this context that the US elections are so vitally important for us. America’s polices here effect us as much or more then they affect the Americans. The war is being fought in our streets, in our backyards; it we who have to look over our shoulders every few minutes to make sure we will not be butchered in cold blood for dreaming the American dream. We therefore hope for an intelligent American President, who will understand our culture, our feelings, our issues; and work with us to solve the problems that have risen from years of misunderstanding, miscommunications, and cooperation.

This is why the people of Pakistan are so intrigued by this American election. We are glued to our TV screens, watching C-Span on our computers- and staying up nights to catch the live debates. We accept the fact that as Pakistanis whatever we say or do will not make a difference to the outcome; yet all of us here are hoping for a president who save us from our common night mares –and help achieve our dreams.

So we display support banners and buttons for our candidates on our persons, on our blogs, our web pages and on our facebook profiles. We await the outcome of this American election as anxiously as anyone in America. It makes us acutely aware of the fact that voting the right person into office is a global responsibility thrown on the shoulders of each American. Each American must know that his vote not only affects his neighborhood but also those around globe.