PAKISTAN’S ENGAGEMENT AS A FRONTLINE STATE IN THE US-LED ‘WAR ON TERROR’: POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC DIMENSIONS

Abstract

This study examines the political, economic and strategic dimensions of Pakistan’s engagement as a frontline state in the US-led ‘War on Terror’. Pakistan’s objectives in the ‘War on Terror’ seek to protect the country from an internal backlash from militants and extremists and from the external threat emanating from India. In line with these objectives, Pakistan seeks to retain a delicate ‘balancing act’ in its relations with United States and Afghan Taliban. This ‘balancing act’ involves extending significant counterterrorism assistance to the US-led coalition by combating Al-Qaeda operatives and anti-Pakistani state, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, while also ‘continue investing’ its political and financial capital in Afghan Taliban fighting the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. As a result, Pakistan is feeling the heat on both sides, with extremists and Taliban rebels have turned against the state for joining the USled coalition ‘War on Terror,’ while the US officials criticize Islamabad for declining to cooperate wholeheartedly. United States has repeatedly pressured Pakistan to fall in line with its objectives which seek to disrupt and dismantle Al-Qaeda network, stabilize ‘AfPak’ region, encircle China, purge the threat of the emergence of Nuclear Iran, and shore up the US political and military influence in Central Asia. Pakistan’s concerns, however, revolve around the emerging US-India nexus in South Asia, which Islamabad perceives is directed to minimize its influence in Afghanistan and the region and put its vital security interests at risk. In fact, the US ‘tilt’ toward India forced Pakistan to avoid complementing the US objectives fully. Islamabad, therefore, insists to recognize the benefits of partnering against combating terrorism which must be balanced against Pakistan’s security interests. In this regard, well-crafted US policies are needed to address Pakistan’s insecurities vis-à-vis India and Afghanistan, its economy and internal stability and acknowledge Pakistan’s growing relationship with China and Iran before the US can expect Pakistan to support its objectives in the ‘War on Terror’.