In the intricate and often contentious geopolitical landscape of South Asia, the counter-terrorism alliance between Pakistan and the United States has been a defining, albeit fraught, feature of the post-9/11 era. While periods of significant friction have punctuated the relationship, recent unequivocal commendations from senior US defence and intelligence officials serve as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s pivotal, costly, and phenomenally consequential contributions to the global fight against terrorism. This recognition, emerging from the crucible of shared threats and sacrifices, underscores a partnership whose strategic importance transcends transient diplomatic disagreements.
The most resonant affirmation came recently from General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), who explicitly lauded Pakistan as a “phenomenal counter-terrorism partner.” This is not mere diplomatic platitude; it reflects decades of operational collaboration forged in the face of grave mutual threats emanating from the region. The significance of this statement lies in its source, the commander directly responsible for US military operations across the Middle East and Central/South Asia, including the ongoing campaign against the ISIS and Al-Qaeda remnants. His praise signifies a concrete appreciation for actionable intelligence, coordinated operations, and shared strategic objectives on the ground. Further substantiating this, Kash Patel, a former senior US Defence Department official and key figure in counter-terrorism efforts, publicly confirmed Pakistan’s indispensable role in facilitating the extradition of an ISIS facilitator from Canada to the United States, demonstrating critical ongoing cooperation in disrupting transnational terror networks.
The historical depth of this collaboration is profound and irrevocably linked to watershed moments in global security. Pakistan’s intelligence and security agencies played an indispensable role in the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the principal architect of the September 11th attacks, alongside numerous other high-value Al-Qaeda operatives. These operations, often conducted under extreme peril and requiring unparalleled human intelligence penetration, dealt devastating blows to the core leadership of global jihadism. Beyond targeted captures, Pakistan provided critical, non-negotiable ground and air logistics that sustained the massive US and NATO military presence in landlocked Afghanistan for two decades. Pakistani airspace and ground lines of communication (GLOCs) were the vital arteries supplying the coalition war effort, a contribution without which the campaign’s scale would have been logistically untenable. Moreover, the efficacy of the much-debated US drone campaign in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was fundamentally predicated on logistical access and crucial intelligence support facilitated by Pakistani agencies, enabling precision strikes against high-value targets.
Recognizing that passive cooperation was insufficient against an entrenched insurgency, Pakistan launched decisive, large-scale military offensives with significant regional and global implications. Operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad represented massive, internally driven campaigns to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries within Pakistan’s own borders. These were not mere tactical skirmishes but comprehensive, corps-level operations involving tens of thousands of troops, resulting in the clearing of vast territories previously held by groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and various Al-Qaeda affiliates. The disruption caused by these offensives directly degraded the capabilities of groups plotting transnational attacks, thereby enhancing global security. This kinetic action was complemented by relentless joint intelligence operations with US agencies, consistently disrupting imminent ISIS and Al-Qaeda plots targeting Western interests and regional stability.
The partnership extends beyond kinetic action and intelligence sharing into the complex realms of countering terror financing (CTF) and managing cross-border threats. Pakistan continues to coordinate assiduously with US Treasury and intelligence entities to track and disrupt the financial lifelines of proscribed terrorist organizations. This ongoing collaboration addresses the persistent challenge of militants exploiting the porous Pak-Afghan border, a task demanding constant vigilance and real-time intelligence exchange. Reinforcing this multifaceted cooperation are regular military-to-military engagements and structured coordination mechanisms with CENTCOM, ensuring interoperability and strategic alignment for long-term counter-terrorism objectives. Furthermore, Pakistan has undertaken significant, albeit less heralded, efforts in regional de-radicalization and counter-extremism initiatives, aiming to dismantle the ideological underpinnings of terrorism within its society.
Washington consistently, and rightly, acknowledges the staggering human cost borne by Pakistan in this shared struggle. Estimates suggest over 80,000 Pakistani civilians and security personnel have lost their lives to terrorist violence since 2001, a sacrifice unparalleled by any other US partner in this conflict. Thousands more have been wounded, and millions displaced by military operations. This immense toll underscores the existential nature of the threat Pakistan faced and continues to confront, making its counter-terrorism efforts not merely an alliance obligation but a fundamental national survival imperative. The elimination of countless high-value targets along the volatile Pak-Afghan border stands as a testament to Pakistani resolve, achieved often through perilous joint or unilaterally coordinated actions.
The recent US praise is a significant diplomatic marker, reflecting a pragmatic recognition of Pakistan’s indispensable contributions. It signifies a mature understanding that despite differences on other strategic issues, notably Afghanistan’s political trajectory, counterterrorism remains a vital area of convergent interest demanding sustained collaboration. The fight against ISIS-Khorasan and other emerging regional affiliates necessitates this continued partnership. While challenges persist, particularly concerning cross-border militant havens and the evolving regional landscape, the operational history and recent affirmations highlight a resilient, if complex, counter-terrorism axis. Pakistan’s role, forged in sacrifice and sustained through operational necessity, remains phenomenally significant in the enduring global effort to counter transnational terrorism.
Following Recommendations
- Enhance Real-Time Intelligence Fusion: Establish more robust, technologically advanced platforms for instantaneous sharing and joint analysis of HUMINT, SIGINT, and financial intelligence between Pakistani agencies (ISI, FIA, CTD) and US counterparts (CIA, FBI, DIA, NCTC), focusing on ISIS-K, TTP, and emerging threats.
- Deepen Regional Security Coordination: Proactively foster structured intelligence and operational trilateral dialogues involving Pakistan, Afghanistan (de facto authorities), and the US/CENTCOM to address cross-border militant sanctuaries and movement, leveraging existing communication channels but seeking greater operational transparency.
- Augment CTF & Border Security Capacity: Sustain and expand US technical assistance and training programs for Pakistan’s Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), law enforcement agencies (CTDs), and border security forces (FC, PAK Rangers) to combat sophisticated terror financing networks and improve cross-border surveillance/control.
- Strengthen De-Radicalization & CVE Infrastructure: Increase international support (technical expertise, funding) for Pakistan’s de-radicalization programs and community-based Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability and measurable impact assessment frameworks.
- Maintain High-Level Strategic Dialogue: Institutionalize regular, high-level (Ministerial/Command Level) bilateral counter-terrorism consultations separate from broader political dialogues to ensure strategic alignment, swiftly address operational friction points, and adapt to evolving threat landscapes.
“The fight against terrorism is not just Pakistan’s war, it is the world’s war.” General Pervez Musharraf
