“With more aid, and more humility, it (Bush administration) can also argue the case for why fighting extremism is in Pakistan’s clear interest,” the New York Times said in an editorial published on Friday.

President Bush, it stressed, can show his commitment to democracy and stability by increasing non-military aid for projects that would strengthen the nation’s battered democratic institutions and improve Pakistanis’ lives.

However, it slammed Bush administration officials for its “little understanding” of the basics of diplomacy, saying on the day the new prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, was sworn in, two visiting American diplomats chose to meet with Musharraf.

“That timing left the impression that Washington is still not listening to Pakistanis,” the editorial said.

“Pakistan has nuclear weapons. It is next door to Afghanistan. Does Washington need any more reasons to worry about what happens there? Or any more proof that it cannot afford to keep making such mistakes?” it asked.

The Bush administration, the Times says, had bullied and bought Musharraf’s loyalty but he never stayed bought.

“It is unlikely that President Bush can now overcome Pakistanis’ visceral mistrust. But with the right mix of aid, attention and humility, the administration can help strengthen the new government,” it adds.

Nawaz Sharif, a former prime minister and the leader of one party in the coalition government, the editorial noted, bluntly told American officials who visited Islamabad this week that there would be no more “one-man show” in Pakistan.

Amid a bloody surge in suicide bombings, the Times says, officials in Islamabad are also talking about trying to negotiate a deal with local Taliban militants.

“They don’t seem to have a clear plan yet, but it is hard to see how they would be more successful than Mr Musharraf. His deal with tribal leaders in the Afghan border region failed spectacularly as troops retreated to barracks and extremists moved east toward Pakistan’s more populated areas. Things also got much worse in Afghanistan,” it adds.

Referring to dangers ahead, the paper says although Musharraf has pledged to work with the new government, Sharif is demanding the president’s resignation, and some fear that if pushed, the former general might try another coup.