US Allegations: Pakistan Supports Terrorism from Afghanistan

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