Evaluate the nature of relationship between Pakistan and USA since 9/11.

Introduction

Pakistan and the United States have had a relationship of alliances and estrangements since the 1950s. The attacks of 11 September 2001 brought them together again, as Pakistan became a frontline state in the US-led war on terror. Since then, the relationship has been close but troubled — transactional, focused on security and marked by mutual distrust.

2001–2008: frontline ally

President Pervez Musharraf joined the US campaign against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, providing logistics, air corridors and intelligence. Pakistan received large military and economic assistance, including reimbursements under the Coalition Support Fund, and was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2004. Debt relief and sanctions waivers helped its economy. However, militancy spread into Pakistan's tribal areas, and the US increasingly accused Pakistan of not acting against Afghan Taliban sanctuaries.

2008–2012: engagement and crises

The Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act (2009) promised 7.5 billion dollars in civilian aid over five years, but its conditions offended Pakistani institutions. A series of crises followed in 2011: the Raymond Davis affair in January, the US raid in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden in May, and the Salala attack in November that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, after which Pakistan closed NATO supply routes until July 2012. US drone strikes in the tribal areas caused public anger.

2013–2021: transactional ties

Cooperation continued in counter-terrorism, but relations cooled as the US deepened its strategic partnership with India. In January 2018 the Trump administration suspended security assistance, accusing Pakistan of "lies and deceit". Relations improved when Pakistan helped facilitate US–Taliban talks that led to the Doha Agreement (February 2020) and the eventual US withdrawal.

After 2021

With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan lost much of its strategic importance to Washington. Ties focused on economic issues, climate assistance after the 2022 floods and counter-terrorism. In 2025, relations warmed again, with high-level engagement and agreements on trade and investment, though the long-term direction remains uncertain.

Nature of the relationship

Transactional: cooperation has depended on immediate US needs, especially in Afghanistan. Security-centric: economic and people-to-people ties have remained secondary. Trust deficit: each side accuses the other of unreliability. China factor: Pakistan's strategic partnership with China and CPEC complicate ties as US–China rivalry grows. India factor: the US–India strategic partnership worries Pakistan. Positive elements: the US remains one of Pakistan's largest export markets, a major source of remittances and investment, and influential in international financial institutions.

Way forward

Broaden the relationship beyond security to trade, investment, technology, education and climate; avoid zero-sum framing of ties with China; strengthen institutional dialogue mechanisms; and engage the Pakistani-American diaspora and US Congress.

Conclusion

Since 9/11, Pakistan–US relations have swung between close cooperation and deep mistrust, shaped largely by Afghanistan. Their nature has been transactional and security-driven. A stable, long-term partnership will require both countries to build a broader relationship based on economic and people-to-people ties rather than short-term strategic needs.