Pakistan–United States relations

Islamic republic of Pakistan and the United States formed diplomatic relations on 15 August 1947, coinciding with Pakistan's creation. On that day, the United States was among the first countries to officially acknowledge the new nation.

The relationship between Pakistan and the United States has been likened to a "roller coaster," marked by periods of strong cooperation interspersed with significant bilateral tensions. Despite this tumultuous history, the Pakistani military has played a crucial role in American geopolitical strategy and has been recognised as a major non-NATO ally since 2002. Following Pakistan's involvement in the Afghan peace process and the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, many U.S. policymakers are reassessing their country's ties with Pakistan. Concurrently, the strategic alignment between the United States and India has intensified the challenges faced by Pakistani diplomacy.

Background

During the Cold War era (1945–1991), Pakistan aligned itself with the Western Bloc, led by the United States, in opposition to the Eastern Bloc dominated by the Soviet Union, which promoted Socialism as its economic model while Capitalism was championed by the West. After the military coup in Pakistan in 1958, President Muhammad Ayub Khan forged a robust military partnership with the United States. Throughout the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the U.S. provided support to Pakistan against both the Provisional Government of Bangladesh and India. Following Pakistan's defeat, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who held anti-American sentiments, sought to strengthen ties with the Soviet Union. In 1977, Bhutto was ousted in a military coup led by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq.

The dynamics shifted after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, as Pakistan and the United States collaborated to fund and support the anti-communist Afghan Mujahideen during the subsequent First Afghan Civil War. Since 1965, the United States has imposed sanctions on Pakistan multiple times to ensure alignment with its strategic objectives. Relations saw an improvement when Pakistan participated alongside the U.S. in conflicts in Somalia and Bosnia. However, following India’s nuclear tests in 1998, the U.S. once again suspended aid and imposed sanctions, only to restore them following American engagement in Afghanistan in 2001.

Disagreements over strategies in the Afghan War, coupled with mutual distrust and differing priorities, led to significant criticism from both sides regarding their approaches to achieving shared goals in the War on Terror. The United States continues to accuse the Pakistani military of backing non-state actors, including the Taliban. Additionally, incidents such as drone strikes, a friendly fire situation at Salala, and the arrest of a spy in Lahore have further strained relations between the two nations.

External Influences on Pakistan–U.S. Relations

The fraught relationship between the United States and Pakistan continues to deteriorate, compounded by a series of crises. In the early 2010s, allegations surfaced that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was financially incentivising journalists to publish negative articles about the U.S. Nevertheless, both nations remain committed to fostering a cooperative relationship aimed at combating terrorist groups in the War on Terror.

In recent years, however, it can be argued that Islamabad has diminished in strategic importance to the West, especially following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan. During the conflict, Pakistan served as a crucial supply route for NATO operations in Afghanistan, which significantly shaped bilateral relations. However, with the conclusion of the war and the exit of American troops in the early 2020s, Pakistan's leverage with the U.S. has waned, as the latter no longer relies on Islamabad for engagement in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's prolonged rivalry and conflict with India, a key strategic partner of the United States, particularly regarding the Kashmir issue, along with its steadfast strategic alliance with China amid the great power competition between the U.S. and China, complicates Pakistan's attempts to enhance its relationship with the United States.

Diaspora

Approximately 5,54,202 individuals of Pakistani descent identify as Pakistani Americans residing in the United States, while around 52,486 Americans live in Pakistan. Furthermore, Pakistan is home to one of the largest U.S. embassies located in Islamabad, alongside the largest consulate-general in terms of staff and facilities, situated in Karachi.

History

1947–1958: Relations between the United States and the newly-created Pakistan

After its creation from India, Pakistan faced challenges in establishing itself as a non-aligned entity within the global arena. In East Pakistan, pro-communist factions enjoyed considerable backing, whereas the pro-Soviet Pakistan Socialist Party was largely sidelined in West Pakistan. The political scene in West Pakistan was predominantly influenced by the pro-American Pakistan Muslim League, which had a strong foothold in the affluent region of Punjab (Pakistani), though its support in East Pakistan was comparatively limited.

Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan sought to foster amicable relations with both the United States and the Soviet Union, believing that an alliance with both superpowers could yield benefits for Pakistan. However, concerns were raised by both the Pakistani military and foreign service regarding whether the Soviets possessed the political will and capability to extend military, technical, and economic support to Pakistan at the level they were beginning to offer to India. Despite this skepticism, Pakistan approached the USSR for military assistance, which was predictably denied, as the Soviet Union had already aligned itself with India. Furthermore, the government's attempts to engage with the Soviet Union were met with disapproval from Pakistan's conservative middle class, who viewed the USSR as an atheist and socialist ally of India.

In 1950, the United States made a diplomatic overture to Pakistan by inviting Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan for an official state visit. With the USSR having rejected capitalist Pakistan and aligning itself with its adversaries, Pakistani policymakers realised that it was unfeasible to maintain amicable relations with both superpowers. Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan accepted the American invitation and embarked on a 23-day official state visit to the United States starting from 03 May 1950. This visit became highly politicised in Pakistan, provoking outrage among leftist factions and marking a pivotal moment that established warm diplomatic relations for several decades. However, it is reported that during this initial trip, President Truman asked Khan to allow the CIA to set up a base in Pakistan to monitor Soviet activities— a request that Khan declined.

Between 1950 and 1953, numerous prominent political and military leaders from Pakistan visited the United States. Among them was Army Commander Ayub Khan, who would later establish a strongly pro-American military regime. Other notable figures included Foreign Minister Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, Foreign Secretary Ikram-Ullah Khan, Finance Minister Malik Ghulam Muhammad, and Defense Secretary Iskandar Mirza, all of whom made official state visits to the U.S. during this period.

Defense relations between Pakistan and the United States were significantly bolstered almost immediately after Liaquat Ali Khan's visit to the U.S. The personal goodwill towards Pakistan remained evident even after the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951. During Khawaja Nazimuddin's administration, both Pakistani and American officials fostered positive sentiments towards each other. This goodwill was particularly highlighted in 1953 when Secretary of State John Foster Dulles advocated for wheat aid to Pakistan, stating during hearings before the sub-committee on Agriculture and Forestry that "the people of Pakistan had a splendid military tradition." He also remarked that upon his arrival in Karachi, he was welcomed by a guard of honour that he considered the "finest" he had ever encountered.

The close relationship between the two nations was further solidified with the signing of a mutual defense treaty in May 1954, which led to hundreds of Pakistani military officers receiving training in the United States. Additionally, a U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) was established in Rawalpindi, which was then the capital of Pakistan. The training provided to Pakistani officers encompassed not only military tactics but also leadership, management, and economic theory.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sought approval from Pakistan's newly appointed Prime Minister, Huseyn Suhravardy, to lease the Peshawar Air Station (PAS) for the purpose of gathering intelligence on Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles. The request was approved, and shortly thereafter, the United States constructed an airstrip and a command and control center at the location to commence operations. The facility was classified as top-secret, with even high-ranking Pakistani officials like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto being denied access.

American interest in fostering Pakistan as an ally against the spread of communism was largely centered on maintaining strong relations with the Pakistani military. Prime Minister Huseyn Suhravardy made several official visits to the United States, often accompanied by Army Commander Ayub Khan. Following a military coup in 1958, Ayub Khan contended that leftist activists posed a threat to American interests in Pakistan. He successfully persuaded U.S. officials that the Pakistani military was the most robust and capable institution to lead the nation.

1958–1971: relations during the military dictatorships of Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan

Under Ayub Khan's leadership, Pakistan established a strong alliance with the United States. Ayub Khan was an ardent supporter of American interests, and during a visit to the U.S. in 1954, prior to assuming the presidency, he famously told American Brigadier-General Henry A. Byroade, "I didn't come here to look at barracks. Our army can be your army if you want us. But let's make a decision." His positive perception of the United States remained intact when he took power. Throughout the 1960s, the general sentiment among Pakistan's population was pro-American, reflecting a favorable view of the U.S.

In 1960, Ayub Khan authorized the United States to conduct its first espionage missions over the Soviet Union from the Peshawar Air Base, which had recently been upgraded with American financial aid. In May of that year, the U-2 incident occurred when pilot Gary Powers was captured by the USSR. The CIA informed Ayub Khan about the incident while he was on a state visit in London; he reportedly shrugged it off, indicating that he had anticipated such an event would eventually occur.

In 1961, Khan made his inaugural visit to the United States as the head of state. The goodwill extended towards him by the Americans was clearly demonstrated through an extravagant state dinner at Mount Vernon and a ticker tape parade held in his honor in New York City.

American military assistance was primarily focused on West Pakistan, with economic benefits similarly concentrated there and predominantly utilized by West Pakistan. This led to growing resentment in East Pakistan, where the lack of economic development was directed not only towards the United States but also towards their counterparts in West Pakistan. In response to these grievances, the East Pakistan parliament passed a resolution condemning the 1954 military pact with the United States.

The United States further augmented economic aid to Pakistan via consortium companies. During this period, West Pakistan experienced a remarkable rate of economic growth, earning the country recognition as a successful example of capitalism in a developing nation. In 1964, the GDP growth rate reached an impressive 9.38%.

In 1962, relations between Pakistan and the United States began to deteriorate. Following India's significant defeat in the Sino-Indian War, the U.S. provided arms to India without notifying Pakistan or addressing its concerns that these weapons could be used against it. Ayub Khan was particularly disheartened that Pakistan's decision to refrain from exploiting India's vulnerabilities during the conflict with China did not lead to substantial U.S. efforts to negotiate a resolution to the Kashmir dispute.

Believing that diplomatic avenues would not yield favorable outcomes for Pakistan, the country initiated Operation Gibraltar against India, which escalated into the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The war resulted in a stalemate, and economic growth in 1965 plummeted to just 0.88%. However, the economy quickly recovered, achieving a GDP growth rate of 2.32% in 1966 and 9.79% in 1969. Despite this rebound, the immense economic toll of the war, coupled with the absence of a decisive victory, led Khan to relinquish his presidential powers to army commander Yahya Khan (who was not related) in 1969.

Space science collaboration

In the 1990s, the United States, along with the Missile Technology Control Regime, imposed restrictions on Pakistan's space program due to concerns over the country's purported covert missile development activities. The U.S. had initiated collaboration with Pakistan in peaceful space technology during the 1960s, following the establishment of the Sonmiani Terminal in 1961, which included the construction of an airfield and a launch pad. In 1962, the Space Research Commission successfully launched Rehbar-I, the first solid-fuel rocket, developed in close partnership with NASA. This achievement made Pakistan the first country in the Indian subcontinent and the tenth globally to conduct a rocket launch. Between 1962 and 1972, around 200 rockets were launched from Sonmiani; however, this cooperation diminished after 1972. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the U.S. further tightened its embargo on Pakistan's space development. In 1998, sanctions were placed on DESTO, the country's leading astronautics research organisation. However, these sanctions were lifted in 2001 by the Bush administration.

Public Opinion

The ongoing conflicts have significantly deteriorated public sentiment in both countries, with each viewing the other as one of its least preferred nations. In 2012, merely 10% of Americans reported having trust in Pakistan, while only 12% of Pakistanis held a positive opinion of the United States during the same period. The U.S. also faced low approval ratings across various nations in the Greater Middle East, with figures such as 19% in Egypt, 15% in Turkey, and 12% in Jordan. Furthermore, around 74% of Pakistanis considered the United States to be an adversary.

American foreign policy was particularly unpopular in Pakistan, especially regarding U.S. drone strikes. According to a Pew survey, 74% of Pakistanis felt that these drone strikes resulted in the deaths of few innocent civilians. Additionally, U.S. aid programs were often criticised and perceived as instruments for promoting American interests at the cost of Pakistan's security, undermining so-called democracy, and encouraging corruption. Only 12% of Pakistanis viewed U.S. economic assistance positively, with an even smaller fraction, just 8%, seeing U.S. military aid as beneficial for the country.