Terrorism in Pakistan and Its Relationship with the United States: A Complex History of Conflict, Cooperation, and Consequences


Terrorism in Pakistan and Its Relationship with the United States: A Complex History of Conflict, Cooperation, and Consequences

Introduction

Terrorism in Pakistan has been one of the most persistent and destabilizing challenges in South Asia over the last four decades. Its roots are tangled in regional politics, religious extremism, foreign interventions, and socioeconomic instability. Among the many international actors involved, the United States stands out — not just as a distant observer, but as an active participant whose policies have alternately strengthened and strained Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.

The Pakistan–US relationship in this context has been multifaceted, ranging from strategic partnerships to deep mistrust. It has been shaped by the Cold War, the Afghan-Soviet conflict, the post-9/11 “War on Terror,” and more recent geopolitical shifts.

The Early Seeds: Cold War and Afghan Jihad (1970s–1980s)

The modern wave of terrorism in Pakistan cannot be understood without revisiting the late 1970s and 1980s, when the US and Pakistan became partners in resisting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

  • US–Pakistan Alliance against the Soviets
    In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The US saw this as a major Cold War threat and sought to bleed the Soviets through a proxy war. Pakistan, under General Zia-ul-Haq, became the front-line state.
    The CIA, working with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), funded, trained, and armed Afghan mujahideen fighters. Billions of dollars worth of weapons, including sophisticated Stinger missiles, flowed through Pakistan.

  • Rise of Militancy
    While the immediate goal was achieved — the Soviets withdrew in 1989 — the infrastructure of militancy, radical madrasas, and armed groups remained in the region. Many of these fighters, having tasted victory, turned their focus toward other ideological and territorial goals, some within Pakistan itself.

The 1990s: From Strategic Assets to Strategic Threats

After the Soviet withdrawal, US interest in Pakistan sharply declined. Sanctions under the Pressler Amendment were imposed due to Pakistan’s nuclear program, leading to a period of estrangement.
However, during the same decade:

  • Militants trained during the Afghan war joined the insurgency in Kashmir.
  • The Taliban, backed in part by Pakistan, took control of Afghanistan in 1996.
  • Sectarian violence escalated within Pakistan, as Sunni and Shia militant groups targeted each other.

The US, during most of the 1990s, viewed these developments primarily through the lens of its own interests, giving limited attention to Pakistan’s internal terrorism problem.

Post-9/11: The US War on Terror and Pakistan’s Role

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States transformed the Pakistan–US relationship overnight.

  • Pakistan as a “Major Non-NATO Ally”
    President Pervez Musharraf agreed to cooperate with the US-led coalition against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Pakistan provided intelligence, allowed the use of airbases, and facilitated logistics for NATO forces in Afghanistan.

  • Massive US Aid Flow
    Between 2001 and 2018, the US provided Pakistan with over $33 billion in military and economic aid. A significant portion was directed toward counterterrorism operations.

  • Mixed Results
    While Pakistan captured several high-profile al-Qaeda operatives, it was accused by US officials of providing safe havens to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network. This dual policy — fighting some militants while tolerating or supporting others — became a central point of tension.

The Internal Blowback: Rise of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)

The Pakistan military’s cooperation with US counterterrorism operations, particularly in the tribal areas, triggered a violent backlash.

  • Formation of TTP
    In 2007, various militant factions united under the banner of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, launching attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.
  • High-Profile Attacks
    From the 2009 attack on the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to the 2014 Army Public School massacre in Peshawar, the TTP became Pakistan’s most lethal internal threat.

The US supported Pakistan’s military offensives against the TTP with intelligence and drone strikes, especially in North Waziristan. However, these strikes often caused civilian casualties, fueling anti-American sentiment.

Drone Warfare and Its Controversies

One of the most visible aspects of US counterterrorism in Pakistan has been the use of drones.

  • Targeted Killings
    The US conducted hundreds of drone strikes in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), targeting al-Qaeda leaders, Taliban commanders, and other militants.
  • Civilian Impact
    While drones eliminated key figures, they also killed non-combatants, deepening local resentment. Many Pakistanis viewed the strikes as violations of sovereignty, even as parts of the Pakistani security establishment quietly facilitated them.

The Bin Laden Episode and Diplomatic Fallout

In May 2011, US Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, deep inside Pakistan. The operation was carried out without informing Pakistani authorities, triggering:

  • International embarrassment for Pakistan over harboring the world’s most wanted terrorist.
  • A collapse of trust between Islamabad and Washington.
  • Intensified debate about Pakistan’s role in counterterrorism — ally or double player?

Recent Shifts: The Afghan Withdrawal and New Alignments

As the US prepared to withdraw from Afghanistan, its reliance on Pakistan diminished.

  • US Criticism
    American officials openly accused Pakistan of undermining peace efforts by supporting the Taliban.
  • Pakistan’s Concerns
    Islamabad feared the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan would embolden militants like the TTP inside its borders — a fear that has partly materialized since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has sought closer ties with China and Russia, further altering the dynamics with Washington.

The Complex Legacy of US–Pakistan Counterterrorism Cooperation

The Pakistan–US relationship in the context of terrorism has been characterized by:

  1. Mutual Dependency — The US needed Pakistan’s geography and intelligence; Pakistan needed US aid and political support.
  2. Mutual Distrust — The US questioned Pakistan’s commitment; Pakistan saw US policies as self-serving and destabilizing.
  3. Unintended Consequences — Policies designed to counter terrorism often fueled it in different forms.

Lessons from Four Decades

The Pakistan–US experience offers important takeaways for global counterterrorism strategy:

  • Short-term tactical alliances without addressing root causes of militancy can backfire.
  • Supporting non-state actors for strategic purposes often creates future security threats.
  • Economic development, education, and political stability are as critical as military measures in countering terrorism.
  • Transparency and trust between allies are essential for long-term success.

Conclusion

Terrorism in Pakistan is both a domestic and an international challenge, shaped by a complex interplay of ideology, geopolitics, and historical decisions. The United States, through its policies and partnerships, has been deeply intertwined with this story — sometimes as a supporter, sometimes as a critic, and often as both simultaneously.

As the global security landscape evolves, the Pakistan–US relationship will likely continue to oscillate between cooperation and confrontation. The lessons from this history underline the need for policies that go beyond military responses, focusing instead on sustainable peace, regional stability, and mutual accountability.


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