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| Are there really state sponsered terrorist groups operating in and from Pakistan? Foto: ariananews.af |
In the
early 1990s, the U.S. stopped economic and military assistance being provided
to Pakistan. It was mainly due to the decline of Pakistan’s strategic
relevance, caused by the end of the cold war and break-up of the Soviet Union.
This gave the U.S. the time and power to practice global politics. The U.S.’
priorities shifted in South Asia. It was no longer interested in seeking
Pakistan’s cooperation but instead, it wanted to focus on non-proliferation of
nuclear weapons and on getting India’s cooperation.
For both of
the above reasons, it was in U.S.’ interest to halt the progress being made by
Pakistan. Hence, the U.S. started toying with the idea of declaring Pakistan as
a terrorist state and started raising allegations against Pakistan. They
claimed that Pakistan is using its territory to be utilized by militant
Islamist groups, Afghan war veterans, and others. They took these allegations a
step further by claiming that Pakistan launched terrorist acts in Indian
administered Kashmir and elsewhere.
The root of
these U.S. allegations against Pakistan has always been U.S.’ own interest in
being the only nuclear and super power.
The hostility that the U.S. shows to Pakistan continues, even to this day. The
current President of U.S. has spoken against Pakistan on various occasions,
always accusing Pakistan of helping Afghani terrorists.
Trump
administration, since its early days, has talked tough about Pakistan, vowing
to apply more pressure to compel Islamabad to crack down on the terrorist
groups on its soil that threaten and target the U.S.’ interests and troops in
Afghanistan.
“We have
been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are
housing the very terrorists that we are fighting, but that will have to change,
and that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a country’s
harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. service members and
officials.”
- U.S. President Donald Trump
The
administration made a lot of such claims against Pakistan but till this day
they have not taken any substantial action. Trump administration has failed to
take a hard line on Pakistan. Its threats, so far, are all empty.
Really little US response
The U.S.
did suspend Pakistani security assistance as a form of resistance, but it is
nothing new. Washington has cut security aid of Pakistan in the past as well.
Some restrictions have been placed on Pakistani diplomats posted in the U.S.
but that is largely in response to long-standing U.S. complaints about
harassment of American diplomats in Pakistan. Additionally, the White House
halted its military and education program with Pakistan. But that’s about it.
No serious action was ever taken.
The main
reason for this is the re-emergence of the strategic importance of Pakistan in
the recent Afghan crisis. The U.S. can not afford to lose Pakistan since it
needs geographic assistance from it. In other words, Pakistan has leverage over
the U.S., it can suspend supply routes on its soil used by the U.S. Washington
has already experienced this once when Islamabad closed its routes for 7-months
after NATO helicopters killed 24 Pakistani border troops. Hence, it is in the
best interest of the U.S. to stay on Pakistan’s good side.
AM
