PAK-US
RELATIO
NS
Muhammad Rehan Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
MAJU
During Zia ul Haq’s regime, Pakistan and
United States enjoyed a warm and congenial
relationship, which was primarily based on
military ties and advancements.
During the decade, US, along with CIA and
ISI, launched billions of dollars’ worth of
operations to prevent Soviet forces from
further advancing into the region.
It is during this period that United States
granted billions of dollars to Pakistan in the
name of military and economic aid. By the
year 1981, Pakistan was discussing a $3.2-
billion aid package with United States and in
1987 Pakistan became the second largest
recipient of aid after Israel.
1979-1988: ZIA UL HAQ’S
1998: Prime minister Nawaz
Sharif conducted nuclear
test in Balochistan, in
retaliation to similar tests
conducted by India, which
invited the wrath of
Clinton’s administration on
both the countries. President
Clinton imposed sanctions
under Glenn amendment on
India as well as Pakistan.
However, in July of 1998, US
lifted the sanctions on both
the countries for
purchasing agricultural
products from US farmers.
Later in the year President
Clinton exercised his waiver
on lifting restrictions on the
AMERICA UNDER ATTACK
(9/11)
2001: After the 9/11 attacks and US’s invasion in
various countries to eradicate militancy, Pakistan
became one of the most important strategic allies for
United States.
Initially Pakistan tried to strike a negotiation deal with
Taliban and al Qaeda members to handover Osama bin
Laden to American
However, authorities.
when negotiations failed, Pakistan allowed
American army to use its military bases for launching
attacks on Afghan soil.
However, President Pervez Musharraf confessed that
the country had no option but to support United States
as it had threatened Pakistan of “bombing it into stone
age” if it did not join the fight against al Qaeda.
Simultaneously in 2001, US officials introduced a bill to
lift all the sanctions, previously imposed on Pakistan
under Pressler and Glenn amendments.
FRIENDS, NOT
MASTERS
2003: United States officially forgave $1 billion worth
of loan it had granted to Pakistan in a goodwill
gesture and appreciation for Pakistan’s cooperation.
2004: President George Bush officially declared
Pakistan as a non-Nato ally granting it the authority to
purchase strategic and advanced military
equipments.
Drone strikes
Since 2004, US army has launched various
drone strikes on the north-western side of the
country. The drone strikes aim to target
Pakistani Taliban and supporters of al Qaeda,
however, the strikes have also resulted in
large civilian deaths and caused much
AN INCONVENIENT PARTNERSHIP
2007: A report was issued in which Pakistan was accused of using aid
money provided by US to Pakistan for its cooperation on war on terror,
for strengthening its defence against India.
2008: The trust, on both sides, has been missing since the war on terror
started as US on several occasions has accused Pakistan Army to tip the
Taliban and pro-Taliban factions off on US operations.
In the June of 2008, an air strike by the US Army killed 11 paramilitary soldiers
of Pakistan Army Frontier Corps, along with eight Taliban. The strike and deaths
instigated a fierce reaction from Pakistani command calling the act to have
shaken the foundations of mutual trust and cooperation.
2009: President Musharraf
confessed that the billions of
AN
INCONVENIENT
dollars of aid that Pakistan
received from United States,
for being a partner in war
PARTNERSHIP
against terror, were diverted
and channeled in order to
build better defense
mechanism
In the May against India.
of 2011, Osama
bin Laden was killed in an
operation conducted by US
Navy Seals in Abbottabad,
Pakistan.
President Barrack Obama
claimed that the information
pertaining to the operation
conducted in Abbottabad
was not shared with Pakistan
Army.
RESETTING THE
For
RELATIONSHIP
Pakistan, the US remains an important trading
partner. The US is Pakistan’s largest export market and a
major source of remittances. Pakistan certainly needs US
support to achieve economic stability. The country also
have a growing technology sector that could be
developed with the US support.
