Love and Hate relationship of US and Pakistan


When we look back into the time when Pakistan got independence in 1947, the United States of America established relations with the newly born state of Pakistan in October in 1947. Being one the first countries to do so. Since then Pakistan allied itself with the United States.

During the time of cold war, Pakistan stood with US against the Soviet Union. From 1978 onward during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan played a key role. US helped Pakistan in that era. Funds from US and training from Pakistan, the Mujahidin’s defeated the mighty Soviet forces. However, when the war in Afghanistan came closer to an end, US left Pakistan alone to clean all the mess. The love between US and Pakistan came to a halt. After the Soviet war on Afghan soil, relations between the US and Pakistan remained strained up till 2001.

In 2001 on September 11, America’s World Trade Center was attacked by terrorist. Airplanes hit the twin towers and the whole world saw them coming down to the ground. Many people lost their lives in that attack on 9/11. After the fall of twin towers United States started the war on terror. US attacked the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Again, Pakistan took the important role in this war. Relations between Pakistan and US were so good that US termed Pakistan as a non NATO ally. The sanctions on aid were removed and Pakistan started to get the US aid civil and military both. Role of US NGOs working in Pakistan was also appreciated. But it was not long when the things started to deteriorate again.

On May 2nd 2011, US Special Forces raided a compound in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden. This was the time when Pakistani officials were not informed and the operation was kept secret. Pakistan protested against this attack as it didn’t want foreign troops in its territory conducting such an operation. Pakistan military said that US should have provided intelligence and Pakistani troops would have conducted such an operation themselves.  Things turned bad after this raid. Later US forces attacked Salala military base killing Pakistani troops. This roughened the relations more and as a result Pakistan suspended the NATO supplies through Pakistan for months. We cannot forget the killing of civilians in Lahore by the American Raymond Davis. All these incidents led to the further deterioration of ties between the two states.

Over the years US have accused Pakistan of harboring the terrorist outfits. On the other hand Pakistan denied any such role and declared that it has conducted operations against all terrorists.  Today in 2018, US have stopped the aid for Pakistan. President Donald Trump has taken a very strict stance against its non NATO ally Pakistan.  The Love affair between US and Pakistan is dying a slow death.

Pakistan believes that it has done a lot and now it’s time for the world to recognize the sacrifices and efforts of Pakistan in eradicating the terrorists from its soil. Pakistani government and military has clearly told that it will not do more; in fact it’s time for rest of the world to do more. Pakistan still considers itself an ally of US in war on terror but it the super power US which is pushing Pakistan away from it.


We can only hope things get better. This love and hate affair of US and Pakistan will continue.

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