Relations of very few countries in the world have been as mercurial as that of the US and Pakistan. Despite some ugly episodes, the uncomfortable alliance between these two states has survived to protect their mutual interests in the global arena. Their relationship is set to face a stern test once again with the issuance of a recent Pentagon report, titled “Progress toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan.” The report blatantly accuses Pakistan of harboring militant sanctuaries that pose a significant terrorism threat to Afghanistan and India.
As per the report, Pakistan uses “these proxy forces to hedge against the loss of influence in Afghanistan and to counter India’s superior military.” It further adds that, “these relationships run counter to Pakistan’s public commitment to support Afghan-led reconciliation. Such groups continue to act as the primary irritant in Afghan-Pakistan bilateral relations.” This is not the first time that the US has accused Pakistan of playing a double game and covertly supporting Afghan Taleban to destabilize Afghanistan. Some political and private groups, along with elements in the country’s military, have often been pointed out as being sympathetic to these militant groups.
Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the US over allegations leveled in the report and feels betrayed by its partner in the war on terror. These fresh accusations belittle Pakistan’s role in countering the menace of terrorism and confirms that its sacrifices are not being fully appreciated by the international community. Since 2004, Pakistan has lost more than 4,000 soldiers and 40,000 civilians in the war against terrorism. The death toll in Pakistan continues to rise as the country’s army has launched a full blown offensive against militant groups in North Waziristan region. Official figures show that Pakistan’s economy has faced a colossal loss of over $85 billion during the past decade due to war on terror. The war has caused extensive damage to the country’s infrastructure and hurt its image as an investor-friendly destination as well.
The Pentagon report should be viewed seriously by Pakistan as it comes at a time when the US is preparing to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. The country is expected to become a focal point of power struggle between key regional players and could slip back into anarchy, as Afghan security forces remain weak to battle reemergence of the Taleban. India has, of course, welcomed the report and termed it as a global acknowledgement of its long-time accusations against Pakistan. With the US and India entering into a new era of strategic partnership, Pakistan may feel sidelined and its interests now even threatened from the western border.
The report is also expected to place additional pressure on Gen. Raheel Sharif, Pakistan’s army chief, who is scheduled to visit the US in mid-November. In light of these allegations, the US may seek to coerce Pakistan’s military to focus more on the ongoing operation against militants. The military has emerged as a clear winner in Pakistan’s continuing power struggle and protests against the democratic government. It is now more important than ever that the US and Pakistan develop a stronger working partnership, void of any suspicions and mistrust, to defeat the growing threat of terrorism in South Asia.
