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Pakistani-American relations

Pakistan	United States
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, D.C.	Embassy of the United States, Islamabad
Envoy
Pakistani Ambassador to the United StatesRizwan Saeed Sheikh	Chargé d'affaires to PakistanNatalie A. Baker

Pakistan and theUnited States established relations on 15 August 1947, a day after theindependence of Pakistan, when the United States became one of the first nations to recognise the country.

The relationship between the two nations has been described as a "roller coaster" characterised by close coordination and lows marked by deep bilateral estrangement.^[1] Despite its troubled history, the Pakistani military once occupied an important place in American geopolitical strategy,^[2] and has been amajor non-NATO ally since 2002.^[3][4] After Pakistan's participation in theAfghan peace process and theTaliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021, a sizeable number of US policy makers are revisiting the United States' relations with Pakistan.^[5][6] At the same time, the strategic convergence ofthe United States and India has also brought greater pressure on Pakistani diplomacy.^[7]

During theCold War (1945–1991), Pakistan allied itself with theWestern Bloc led by the United States against theEastern Bloc led by theSoviet Union, with the former advocating the economic system of capitalism while the latter advocated socialism. Following the1958 Pakistani military coup, presidentMuhammad Ayub Khan established a strongmilitary alliance with the United States. During theBangladesh Liberation War and theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971, the United States aided Pakistan against theProvisional Government of Bangladesh andIndia. After thePakistani defeat, Pakistan's leaderZulfikar Ali Bhutto, ananti-American, improvedrelations with the Soviets. In 1977, Bhutto was overthrown in amilitary coup led byMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Following theSoviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan and the United States cooperated in thefunding and financing of theanti-communistAfghan Mujahideen and then in the ensuingFirst Afghan Civil War. The United States has imposed sanctions on Pakistan on various occasions to force Pakistan to comply with its strategic interests since 1965,^[8] with Pakistan's willingness to participate with the United States in the wars inSomalia andBosnia, relations improved. However, the United States again suspended aid and imposed sanctions along with India in 1998, only to be lifted once again with theUnited States engagement in Afghanistan in 2001. Factors involving in the contingency operations, distrust, and different priorities of both nations in theAfghan War led to serious criticism as both sides began to criticize each other's strategy to achieve common goals in theWar on Terror. The United States continues to blame Pakistan's military for supporting non-state actors, including theTaliban.^[5] Furthermore,drone strikes by both nations, afriendly fire incident at Salala, and anincident involving the arrest of a spy in Lahore further complicated relations for the worse.

The U.S.'s troubled relationship with Pakistan continues to be eroded by crisis after crisis.^[11] It has been alleged that theISI of Pakistan pays journalists to write articles hostile to the United States in the early 2010s.^[12] Despite this, both Pakistan and the United States continue to seek a productive relationship to defeat terrorist organizations in theWar on Terror.^[13] But in recent years, "Islamabad has arguably lost some of its strategic significance in the West following the US/NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan".^[14] Pakistan once providedNATO with a supply route to Afghanistan, a link that dominated bilateral relations during the war. However, with the end of the war and the withdrawal of US troops from the region in the early 2020s, Pakistan's influence on the US disappeared and the US no longer needed it to engage with Afghanistan.^[15]

Pakistan's decades-long rivalry and conflict with the U.S. strategic partnerIndia in the context of Kashmir and all-weather strategic cooperation withChina in the context of great power competition between the United States and China poses difficulties for the country's efforts to improve relations with the U.S.^{[16][17][18][19]}

There are an estimated 554,202 self-identifiedPakistani Americans living in theUnited States^[20][21] and about 52,486Americans residing inPakistan.^[22] In addition, Pakistan also hosts one of the largest embassies of the United States inIslamabad, and the largest consulate-general, in terms of both personnel and facilities, in the city ofKarachi.

Following Pakistan's creation from theBritish Indian Empire, the nascent state struggled to position itself as a non-aligned member of the international community.Pakistan's pro-communist forces commanded considerable support inEast Pakistan, while inWest Pakistan, the pro-SovietPakistan Socialist Party remained largely marginalized. The pro-AmericanPakistan Muslim League dominated much of West Pakistan's political landscape, particularly in the prosperous region ofPunjab, while its base of support in East Pakistan was far more modest.

Prime MinisterLiaquat Ali Khan, however, attempted to establish friendly relations with both the Soviet Union and the United States in hopes that Pakistan could benefit from an alliance with both superpowers. Both theMilitary of Pakistan andForeign Service of Pakistan raised doubts as to whether the Soviets had the political will and capacity to provide military, technical, and economic aid to a similar degree that they had begun to offer to Pakistan's socialist neighbor, India.^[23] Pakistan nevertheless requested military aid from the USSR, which was predictably rebuffed as the Soviet Union had previously oriented itself with India.^[23] The government's overtures to the Soviet Union were not favorably regarded by Pakistan's conservative middle classes, who regarded the USSR as an atheist and socialist ally of India.^[24]

In 1950, the United States extended an overture to Pakistan by inviting Prime Minister Khan for an official state visit. As theUSSR had rebuffed capitalist Pakistan and aligned itself with Pakistan's rivals, the country's policy crafters found that maintaining friendly relations with both superpowers was impossible. Prime Minister Khan accepted the American invitation andpaid an official 23-day state visit to the United States beginning on May 3, 1950. The event was highly politicized in Pakistan, and outraged the country's leftists, and was seen as the seminal event that lead to warm diplomatic ties for several decades. However, it is alleged that during PM Khan's first visit to the US, president Truman requested Pakistan's premier to let the CIA formulate a base in Pakistan, strictly to keep an eye on the activities of Soviet Union – a request which was not granted by Khan.^[25]

Throughout the period between 1950 and 1953, several major Pakistan political and military figures paid visits to the United States. During this time,Army commanderAyub Khan paid visits to the United States – a figure who would later institute a strongly pro-American military government.Foreign MinisterSir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan,Foreign Secretary Ikram-Ullah Khan,Finance MinisterMalik Ghulam Muhammad, andDefense SecretaryIskandar Mirza all paid official state visits to the United States.^[26]

Defense ties between the two countries strengthened almost immediately following Khan's visit to the United States. Personal goodwill towards Pakistan was evident even when Liaqat Ali Khan was assassinated in 1951. Under the government ofKhawaja Nazimuddin, Pakistani and American officials developed positive attitudes towards one another. Such personal goodwill was evident whenSecretary of StateJohn Foster Dulles, while arguing for wheat aid to Pakistan in 1953, told thesub-committee on Agriculture and Forestry during hearings that, "the people of Pakistan had a splendid military tradition," and that in Karachi he had been met by aguard of honour which was the "finest" he had ever seen".^[26] Close ties between the countries were further consolidated by a mutual defense treaty signed in May 1954, after which hundreds of Pakistani military officers began to regularly train in the United States.^[26] A U.S.Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) was also established inRawalpindi, then capital of Pakistan. Pakistani officers were not only trained in military tactics, but also taught leadership, management, and economic theory.^[26]

In 1956, PresidentDwight Eisenhower requested permission from Pakistan's new Prime Minister,Huseyn Suhravardie, to lease thePeshawar Air Station (PAS), which was to be used in intelligence gathering of Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles.^[26] The request was granted, and soon the United States built an airstrip, command and control station at the site before initiating operations.^[26] The base was regarded as top-secret, and even the high-ranking Pakistani public officials such asZulfikar Ali Bhutto, were refused entry to the facility.^[26]

American interest in Pakistan as an ally against the spread of communism primarily was focused on maintaining excellent ties with Pakistan's military establishment. Prime MinisterHuseyn Suhrawardy paid several official visits to the United States – typically with his Army commander,Ayub Khan, at his side.^[26] After amilitary coup d'état in 1958, Ayub Khan argued thatleft wing activists could seize power in Pakistan, thereby jeopardizing American interests in the region.^[26] He successfully convinced American officials that the Pakistani military was the strongest and most capable institution to govern the country.^[26]

During the rule of Ayub Khan, Pakistan enjoyed a close relationship with the United States. Ayub Khan was strongly pro-American, and on a visit to the United States in 1954, before Khan was head of state, he famously told AmericanBrigadier-GeneralHenry 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".^[26] His view of the United States had remained positive by the time he seized power. During the 1960s, Pakistan's population was generally pro-American and also held a positive view of the United States.

In 1960, Ayub Khan granted permission for the United States to fly its first spy missions to the Soviet Union from the Peshawar Air Base, which had been recently upgraded with American funds. In May 1960, theU-2 incident took place, in which pilotGary Powers was captured by the USSR.^[26] TheCIA notified Ayub Khan of the incident while he was inLondon for a state visit: he reportedly shrugged his shoulders and stated that he had expected such an incident would eventually happen.^[26]

In 1961, Khan paid his first visit to the United States as head of state. American goodwill towards Khan was evident by an elaborate state dinner held at Mount Vernon, and a ticker tape parade for Khan in New York City.^[27]

American military aide was concentrated inWest Pakistan, with economic benefits were controlled by and almost exclusively used by West Pakistan.^[26] East Pakistani anger towards an absence of economic development was directed towards the United States, as well as West Pakistan. TheEast-Pakistan parliament passed a resolution denouncing the 1954 military pact with the United States.^[26]

Economic aid to Pakistan was further increased by the United States through the consortium companies.^[28] West Pakistan's high rate of economic growth during this time period brought wide regard to Pakistan as a model of successful implementation ofcapitalism in a developing country; in 1964, GDP growth was 9.38%.^[28]

In 1962, relations began cooling. In the aftermath of India's major defeat in the Sino-Indian War, the United States shipped arms to India.^[29] It did not provide notice to Pakistan and ignored Pakistan's concerns that these arms might be used by India against Pakistan.^[30] Additionally, Ayub Khan was disappointed that Pakistan's decision not to take advantage of Indian vulnerabilities during its war with China was not rewarded with serious United States efforts in negotiations to settle the Kashmir dispute.^[31]

Convinced that diplomatic solutions would not favor Pakistan, Pakistan launchedOperation Gibraltar against India,^[31] which escalated to theIndo-Pakistani War of 1965, which resulting in a stalemate.^[28] Economic growth in 1965 was a mere 0.88%. The economy rapidly rebounded with a GDP growth of 2.32% in 1966, and 9.79% in 1969. However, given the huge economic cost of the war without any clear victory (or loss), Khan surrendered his presidential powers to army commanderYahya Khan (no relation) in 1969.^[28]

American President Lyndon Johnson cultivated warm personal relations with Indian and Pakistani leaders, This policy had unintended negative consequences. Since 1954, the American alliance with Pakistan caused India to move closer to the Soviet Union. Johnson hoped that a more evenhanded policy towards both countries would soften the tensions in South Asia, and bring both nations closer to the United States. With a major presence already in Vietnam, Johnson ended the traditional American division of South Asia into 'allies' and 'neutrals'. He had a plan to develop good relations with both India and Pakistan, supplying arms and money to both, and to maintain neutrality from their intense border feuds. The result was that his even-handedness pushed Pakistan closer to Communist China and India closer to the Soviet Union.^[32]

PresidentRichard Nixon andHenry Kissinger took advantage of Pakistan's close relationship with thePeople's Republic of China to initiate secret contacts that resulted inHenry Kissinger's secret visit to China in July 1971 after visiting Pakistan. The contacts resulted in the1972 Nixon visit to China and the subsequent normalizing of relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China.

At the onset of hostilities between India and Pakistan which led to the two-week DecemberIndo-Pakistani War of 1971, President Nixon urged Yahya Khan to restrain Pakistani forces,^[33] in order to prevent escalation of the war, and to safeguard Pakistan's interests – Nixon feared that an Indian invasion of West Pakistan would lead to socialist India's domination of thesubcontinent, thereby strengthening the position of theSoviet Union.^[34] Yahya Khan feared that an independent Bangladesh would lead to the disintegration of West Pakistan. However, Indian military support for Bengali guerrillas and a massive flood of Bengali refugees into India led to the escalation of hostilities and a declared war between India and Pakistan.^[35]

The United States secretly encouraged the shipment of military equipment from the Shah's Iran, Turkey, and Jordan to Pakistan, and reimbursed those countries for their shipments,^[36] despite congressional objections.^[37] The United States, however, also threatened to cut off aid to pressure Pakistan to end hostilities, but did not wish for India to dominate the new political landscape in South Asia either.

Near the end of the war, the Nixon Administration recognized Pakistan's imminent defeat, but sent theUSS Enterprise and theTask Force-74 of theUnited States Seventh Fleet into the Indian Ocean, which was regarded as a warning to India to resist escalating attacks against West Pakistan.^[38] As it was the height of the Vietnam War, the United States'show of force was seen as a sign of support for the beleaguered WestPakistan Armed Forces.^[39]

Declassified CIA intelligence documents stated that "India intended to dismember Pakistan and destroy its armed forces, a possible loss of a U.S. ally in the Cold War that the United States cannot afford to lose." Nixon termed India a "Soviet stooge" before ordering theEnterprise to lead theTask Force-74.^[40] In an assessment completed by the United States, India was seen as being able to summarily defeat Pakistan, were India to receive the full backing of Soviet Union.^[40] Nixon sent a message to theSoviet Union urging the Russians to stop backing India. In Nixon's words: "In the strongest possible...(...)... terms to restrain India with which ... (Soviets) have great influence and for whose actions you must share responsibility".^[40]

As a result of the 1970s election,Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a charismatic democratic socialist, became President (1971–1974) and later Prime Minister in 1974. This period is seen as a "quiet cold war" with Pakistan and its democratic socialist government led by Bhutto. His socialist ideas favored thecommunist ideas but never actually allied withcommunism. Under Bhutto, Pakistan would focus on theMovement of Non-Aligned Countries, building closer ties with theSoviet bloc and theSoviet Union. Meanwhile, Bhutto tried to maintain a balance with the United States, but such attempts were rebuffed. Bhutto opposed theultra-leftism concepts but was a strong proponent ofleft-wing politics, which the U.S. had opposed in Pakistan from the very start.^[41]

AlthoughRichard Nixon enjoyed firm relations with Bhutto and was a close friend of his, relations significantly soured under the presidency ofJimmy Carter.^[42] Carter, ananti-socialist, tightened the embargo placed on Pakistan and put pressure on the government through theUnited States Ambassador to Pakistan,Brigadier-GeneralHenry Byroade.^[42] The socialist leanings of the government and Bhutto's proposed left-wing theories, had badly upset the United States, with some fearing the loss of Pakistan as an ally in the Cold War.^[42] The leftist ideas of the government and Bhutto's policy towards the Soviet Union was seen by the United States as sympathetic. It had also built a bridge for the Soviet Union to gain naval access in Pakistan's warm water ports, something that both the United States and the Soviet Union lacked.^[42]

During the course of1976 presidential election, Carter was elected asU.S. President, and in his inaugural speech, he announced his determination to seek the ban of nuclear weapons.^[42] With Carter's election, Bhutto lost all the links toUnited States administration that he had through President Nixon.^[42] Bhutto had to face the embargo and pressure from an American President who was completely against the political objectives that Bhutto had set out to accomplish. In his speech Carter had indirectly announced his opposition to Bhutto, his ambitions, and the elections.^[42] Responding to President Carter, Bhutto launched a more aggressive and serious diplomatic offensive on the United States and the Western world over the nuclear issues.^[43] Bhutto's hard-line stance on nuclear issues put the United States, particularly Carter who found it extremely difficult to counter Bhutto onDefensive position at theUnited Nations.^[43] India and the Soviet Union were pushed aside when Bhutto attacked theIndian nuclear programme, labeling the latter's program as based onnuclear proliferation.^[43] Writing to the world and Western leaders, Bhutto made his intentions clear to the United States and the rest of the world:

Pakistan was exposed to a kind of "nuclear threat and blackmail" unparalleled elsewhere..... (...)... If the world's community failed to provide political insurance to Pakistan and other countries against the nuclear blackmail, these countries would be a constraint to launch atomic bomb programs of their own!... [A]ssurances provided by the United Nations were not "Enough!"...

Although Carter placed an embargo on Pakistan, Bhutto, under the technical guidance and diplomatic advice ofForeign ministerAziz Ahmed, succeeded in buying sensitive equipment, common metal materials, and electronic components, marked as "common items", hiding the true purpose of the purchases and greatly enhancing theatomic bomb project.^[42] Bhutto tried to resolve the issue, but Carter intentionally sabotaged the talks. In a thesis written byhistorian Abdul Ghafoor Buhgari, Carter is accused of having sabotaged Bhutto's credibility. However, he was not in favour of his execution as Carter and called on General Zia-ul-Haq to spare his life.^[44] The senior leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party reached out to different countries' ambassadors and high commissioners but did not meet with the U.S. ambassador, as the leadership knew the "noble" part played by Carter and his administration.^[42] When the Carter administration discovered Bhutto's nuclear programme, it had already reached an advanced stage and had a disastrous effect onSALT I Treaty which was soon to collapse. This was a failure of President Carter to stopatomic proliferation as the arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States heightened.^[42]

In 1974, with India carried out the test of nuclear weapons near the Pakistan's eastern border, codenameSmiling Buddha, Bhutto sought the United States to impose economic sanctions in India.^[41] Though it was unsuccessful approach, in a meeting of Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States with Secretary of StateHenry Kissinger, Kissinger told Pakistan's ambassador to Washington that the test is "a fait accompli and that Pakistan would have to learn to live with it", although he was aware this is a "little rough" on the Pakistanis.^[41] In the 1970s, the ties were further severed with Bhutto as Bhutto had continued to administer the research on weapons, and in 1976, in a meeting with Bhutto and Kissinger, Kissinger had told Bhutto, "that if you [Bhutto] do not cancel, modify or postpone the Reprocessing Plant Agreement, we will make a horrible example from you".^[45] The meeting was ended by Bhutto as he had replied: "For my country's sake, for the sake of people of Pakistan, I did not succumb to that black-mailing and threats". After the meeting, Bhutto intensified hisnationalization andindustrialization policies, as well as aggressively taking steps to spur scientific research on atomic weapons and the atomic bomb project. Bhutto authorized the construction ofChagai weapon-testing laboratories, whilst the United States opposed the action and predicted that it will lead to a massive and destructive war between India and Pakistan in the future. The atomic bomb project became fully mature in 1978, and a first cold test was conducted in 1983 (seeKirana-I).

Bhutto called uponOrganization of Islamic Conference in 1974 order to bring Muslim world together. In 1977, Bhutto was arrested by his appointed army chiefMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who declared martial law and assumedpresidency in 1978. Bhutto was hanged in 1979 for the murder of a political opponent.^[45]

In 1979, a group of Pakistani studentsburned the American embassy inIslamabad to the ground, as a reaction to theGrand Mosque Seizure, citing U.S. involvement. Two Americans were killed.

After the removal and death of Bhutto, Pakistan's ties with the United States were better and improved. On December 24, 1979, the Soviet40th Army crossed borders, rolling intoAfghanistan, President Carter issued his doctrine (seeCarter Doctrine). The silent features offers the creation of theRapid Deployment Force (RDF), increasing the deployment ofUnited States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), a collective security framework in the region and a commitment to the defence of Pakistan by transfer of significant amount of weapons andMonetarism.

Following theSoviet invasion ofAfghanistan,ISI andCIA ran multibillion-dollar worthOperation Cyclone to thwart the communist regime as well as defeating Soviets in Afghanistan. Throughout the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, the ties and relations were promoted at its maximum point, and the United States had given billion dollars of economic and military aid to Pakistan. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 highlighted the common interest of Pakistan and the United States in opposing the Soviet Union. In 1981, Pakistan and the United States agreed on a $3.2 billion military and economic assistance program aimed at helping Pakistan deal with the heightened threat to security in the region and its economic development needs. With US assistance, in the largest covert operation in history, Pakistan armed and supplied anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan.

In the 1980s, Pakistan agreed to pay $658 million for 28F-16 fighter jets from the United States; however, the US congress froze the deal, citing objections to Pakistan's nuclear ambitions. Under the terms of the American cancellation, the US kept both the money and the planes, leading to angry claims of theft by Pakistanis.^[46]

Initially, Carter offered Pakistan $325 million in aid over three years; Zia rejected this as "peanuts".^[47] Carter also signed the finding in 1980 that allowed less than $50 million a year to go to the Mujahideen. All attempts were rebuffed, Zia shrewdly played his cards knowing that Carter was on his way out and he may get a better deal from the incoming Reagan. AfterRonald Reagan came to office, defeating Carter for the US presidency in 1980, all this changed, due to President Reagan's new priorities and the unlikely and remarkably effective effort by CongressmanCharles Wilson (D-TX), aided byJoanne Herring, andCIA Afghan Desk ChiefGust Avrakotos to increase the funding forOperation Cyclone. Aid to the Afghan resistance, and to Pakistan, increased substantially, finally reaching $1 billion. The United States, faced with a rival superpower looking as if it were to create another Communist bloc, now engaged Zia in fighting a US-supportedwar by proxy in Afghanistan against the Soviets.

The Reagan administration and Reagan himself supported Pakistan's military regime, American officials visited the country on a routine basis.^[26] The U.S. political influence in Pakistan effectively curbed down the liberals, socialists, communists, and democracy advocates in the country in 1983, instead advising Zia to hold thenon-partisans elections in 1985.^[26]General Akhtar Abdur Rahman ofISI andWilliam Casey ofCIA worked together in harmony, and in an atmosphere of mutual trust. Reagan sold Pakistan $3.2 billion worth of attack helicopters, self-propelled howitzers, armoured personnel carriers, 40F-16 Fighting Falcon warplanes, nuclear technology, naval warships, and intelligence equipment and training.^[48][49]

After therestoration of democracy after thedisastrous and mysterious death of Zia and U.S. Ambassador in an aviation crash, relations deteriorated quickly with upcoming Prime MinisterBenazir Bhutto andNawaz Sharif. The United States took a tough stand on Pakistan's nuclear development, passing thePressler amendment, while significantly improving therelations with India. Both Benazir and Nawaz Sharif also asked the United States to take steps to stop theIndian nuclear program, feeling that United States was not doing enough to address what Pakistan saw as an existential threat. Pakistan found itself in a state of extremely high insecurity as tensions mounted with India and Afghanistan's infighting continued. Pakistan's alliance with the U.S. was strained due to factors such as its support for the Taliban and public distancing of the Pakistani government from the U.S.

In 1992 US AmbassadorNicholas Platt advised Pakistan's leaders that if Pakistan continued to support terrorists in India or Indian-administered territory, "theSecretary of State may find himself required by law to place Pakistan on the state sponsors of terrorism list."^[12] When the US decided to respond to the1998 United States embassy bombings in Africa by firing missiles at an al-Qaeda camp in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, fivePakistani ISI agents present at the camp were killed.^[12]

In 1989, Benazir Bhutto made a quick visit in the U.S. asking U.S. to stop financing theAfghan mujahideen to PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush, which she marked "America's Frankenstein".^[50] This was followed by Nawaz Sharif who visited the U.S. in 1990, but U.S. gave cold shoulder to Pakistan, asking Pakistan to stop developing nuclear weapons. In 1990, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif travelled to the U.S. to solve the nuclear crises after the U.S. had tightened its economic embargo on Pakistan, prompting Sharif and then-Treasure MinisterSartaj Aziz to hold talks on Washington.^[51] It was widely reported in Pakistan that theU.S. Assistant Secretary of State Teresita Schaffer had told the Foreign MinisterShahabzada Yaqub Khan to halt the uranium enrichment programme.^[51] In December 1990, France'sCommissariat à l'énergie atomique agreed to provide a commercial 900MW power plant, but plans did not materialize as France wanted Pakistan to provide entire financial funds for the plant. Furthermore, the U.S. AmbassadorRobert Oakley further influenced on the project, showing growing concerns of the U.S. on the agreement.^[51] While talking to U.S. media, Nawaz Sharif declared that: "Pakistan possessed no [atomic] bomb... Pakistan would be happy to sign theNuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) but it must be provided "first" to India to do the same".^[51] After France's project was cancelled, Nawaz Sharif successfully held talks with theChina to build the largest commercial nuclear plant,CHASNUPP-I inChasma city in Pakistan.^[51]

In 1995, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto made a final visit to U.S. urging PresidentBill Clinton to amend the Pressler Amendment and emphasized the United States to launch a campaign against extremism, with Pakistan allying with the United States.^[52] Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was successful in passing the Brown Amendment, but the embargo on arms remained active. During the United States trip, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto faced heated criticism and opposition on the nuclear weapons program, who however responded fiercely and in turn sharply criticized U.S.'s nonproliferation policy and demanded that the United States honor its contractual obligation.^[52] Although Benazir was able to convince the U.S. business community to invest in Pakistan, she was unable to revert the economic embargo which kept investment away from the country.^[52]

In 1998,Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif ordered to conduct first nuclear tests after Benazir Bhutto called for the tests (seeChagai-I andChagai-II), in response to Indian nuclear tests (seePokhran-II). Nawaz Sharif's ordering the nuclear tests was met with great hostility and ire in the United States after President Clinton placing the economic embargo on Pakistan. The relations were also refrained and strained after Nawaz Sharif became involved withKargil war withIndia, whileIndia's relations with Israel and U.S. greatly enhanced. Soon after the tests, Benazir Bhutto publicly announced her belief that her father was "sent to the gallows at the instance of the superpower for pursuing the nuclear capability,^[53] though she did not disclose the name of the power.^[54] In 1999, Benazir leaked the information that Nawaz Sharif would be deposed that there is (nothing) that Americans^[55] want to support Nawaz Sharif or the democracy in Pakistan.^[55] After the military coup was commenced against Nawaz Sharif, the President Clinton criticized the coup demanding the restoration of democracy but did not favor the mass demonstration against the military regime as the coup, at that time, was popular. In conclusion, both Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto refused to make compromises with respect to the country's nuclear deterrence, instead building infrastructure despite U.S. objections.^[53]

Pakistan was a leading member of theCentral Treaty Organization (CENTO) and theSoutheast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) from its adoption in 1954–55 and allied itself with the United States during most of the Cold war. In 1971–72, Pakistan ended its alliance with the United States after theEast-Pakistan war in which East Pakistan successfully seceded with the aid of India. The promise of economic aid from the United States was instrumental in creating these agreements.

During theIndo-Pakistani War of 1965, the United States refused to provide any military support to Pakistan, going against her pledge. This generated widespread anti-American feelings and emotions in the country, believing that the United States was no longer a reliable ally. According toC. Christine Fair, the U.S. cut off arms supplies because Pakistan "started the war with India by using regular military personnel disguised as mujahideen." According to Fair, in 1971 "the Pakistanis were angry at the U.S. again, for not bailing them out fromanother war they started against India."^[12]

In April 1979, the United States suspended most economic assistance to Pakistan over concerns about Pakistan's atomic bomb project under theForeign Assistance Act.^[56]

After theSeptember 11 attacks in 2001 in the United States, Pakistan became a key ally in thewar on terror with the United States. In 2001, US PresidentGeorge W. Bush pressured the government into joining the USthe war on terror.Pervez Musharraf acknowledges the payments received for captured terrorists in his book:

We've captured 689 and handed over 369 to the United States. We've earned bounties totaling millions of dollars

In 2003, the US officially forgave US$1 billion in Pakistani debt in a ceremony in Pakistan in turn for Pakistan joining the US 'war on terror'. "Today's signing represents a promise kept and another milestone in our expanding partnership," US Ambassador Nancy Powell said in a statement, "The forgiveness of $1 billion in bilateral debt is just one piece of a multifaceted, multi-billion dollar assistance package." The new relationship between the United States and Pakistan is not just about September 11,' Powell said. "It is about the rebirth of a long-term partnership between our two countries." However, Pakistan support of the U.S. and its war has angered many Pakistanis that do not support it.

In October 2005,Condoleezza Rice made a statement where she promised that the United States will support the country's earthquake relief efforts and help it rebuild" after theKashmir earthquake.^[57]

Prior to theSeptember 11 attacks in 2001, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were key supporters of theTaliban in Afghanistan, as part of their "strategic depth" objective vis-a-visIndia,Iran, andRussia.^{[citation needed]}

After 9/11, Pakistan, led by GeneralPervez Musharraf, reversed course as they were under pressure from the United States and joined the "War on Terror" as a U.S. ally. Having failed to convince the Taliban to hand over bin Laden and other members of Al Qaeda, Pakistan provided the U.S. a number of military airports and bases for its attack on Afghanistan, along with other logistical support.^{[citation needed]} Since 2001, Pakistan has arrested over five hundred Al-Qaeda members and handed them over to the United States; senior U.S. officers have been lavish in their praise of Pakistani efforts in public while expressing their concern that not enough was being done in private. However, General Musharraf was strongly supported by the Bush administration.^{[citation needed]}

In return for their support, Pakistan had sanctions lifted and has received about $10 billion in U.S. aid since 2001, primarily military. In June 2004, PresidentGeorge W. Bush designated Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally,^[58] making it eligible, among other things, to purchase advanced American military technology.

Pakistan has lost thousands of lives since joining the U.S. war on terror in the form of both soldiers and civilians and was going through a critical period, however many areas of Pakistan are becoming terror free.^{[neutrality isdisputed]} Suicide bombs were commonplace in Pakistan, whereas they were unheard of prior to 9/11.^{[citation needed]} The Taliban have been resurgent in recent years in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have been created internally in Pakistan, as they have been forced to flee their homes as a result of fighting between Pakistani forces and the Taliban in the regions bordering Afghanistan and further in Swat.^{[citation needed]}

A key campaign argument of US PresidentBarack Obama was that the US had made the mistake of "putting all our eggs in one basket" in the form of General Musharraf.^{[citation needed]} Musharraf was eventually forced out of office under the threat of impeachment, after years of political protests by lawyers, civilians and other political parties in Pakistan. With Obama coming into office, the U.S. is expected to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion per year over 10 years, and to tie military aid to progress in the fight against militants. The purpose of the aid is to help strengthen the relatively new democratic government led by President Zardari and to help strengthen civil institutions and the general economy in Pakistan and to put in place an aid program that is broader in scope than just supporting Pakistan's military.

Pakistan is amajor non-NATO ally as part of theWar on Terrorism, and a leading recipient of U.S. aid.^[59] Between 2002 and 2013, Pakistan received $26 billion in economic and military aid and sales of military equipment. The equipment included eighteen new F-16 aircraft, eight P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, 6,000 TOW anti-tank missiles, 500 AMRAM air-to-air missiles, 6 C-130 transport aircraft, 20 Cobra attack helicopters, and a Perry-class missile frigate. About half of the aid package was disbursed during the Bush administration and other half during the Obama administration. The aid during the Obama administration was more economic than military.^[4]

In 2008,NSA DirectorMike McConnell confronted ISI DirectorAhmad Shuja Pasha, claiming that the ISI was tipping off jihadists so that they could escape in advance of American attacks against them.^[12]

On 11 June 2008, theGora Prai airstrike, on the Afghan-Pakistani border, killed 10 members of the paramilitaryFrontier Corps. The Pakistani military condemned the airstrike as an act ofaggression, souring the relations between the two countries.^[60] However, after the drone attacks in June, President Bush had said 'Pakistan is strong ally '.^[61] Western officials have claimed nearly 70%( roughly $3.4 billion) of the aid given to thePakistani military has been misspent in 2002–2007. However U.S.-Pakistani relationship has been a transactional based and US military aid to Pakistan has been shrouded in secrecy for several years until recently.^{[62][63][64][65][66]} Furthermore, a significant proportion of US economic aid for Pakistan has ended up back in the US as funds are channeled through large US contractors. US RepresentativeGary Ackerman also said a large sum of US economic aid has not left the US as it spent on consulting fees and overhead cost.^[67][68]

During the2008 vice-presidential debate,Joe Biden was asked to identify whether Iran or Pakistan posed a greater threat to the United States. Biden responded by naming Pakistan and said that a stable regime needed to be established in the country.^[69]

In the November2008 Mumbai Attacks, the United States informed Pakistan that it expected full cooperation in the hunt for the plotters of the attacks.

The American politicians at the U.S. Congress publicly accused Pakistan of harboring ofOsama bin Laden,Afghan Taliban and their "Quetta Shura" while the lawmakers in the Pakistani Parliament leveled serious accusations at the Americans doing very little to control the porouseastern border of Afghanistan, where Pakistan's most-wanted terrorist,Mullah Fazlullah and hisorganization were believed to be hiding.

The United States and Pakistan have experienced several military confrontations on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. These skirmishes took place between American forces deployed inAfghanistan, and Pakistani troops guarding the border. On November 26, 2011, 28 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an aerialattack on Pakistani positions near the border. The attack further damaged US-Pakistani relations with many in Pakistan calling for a more hardline stance against the United States.^[70]

Following the incident, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta spoke to their Pakistani counterparts to give their "deepest condolences" in a joint statement and also supported a NATO investigation.^[71] A NATO spokesman also said that NATO "regrets the loss of life of any Pakistani servicemen".^[72]

On 14 September 2009, former President of Pakistan,Pervez Musharraf, admitted that Americanforeign aid to Pakistan had been diverted from its original purpose of fighting theTaliban to preparing for war against neighboringIndia.^[73] The United States government has responded by stating that it will take these allegations seriously.^[74] HoweverPervez Musharraf also said, '"Wherever there is a threat to Pakistan, we will use it [the equipment] there. If the threat comes from al-Qaeda or Taliban, it will be used there. If the threat comes from India, we will most surely use it there."^[73]

In late 2009,Hillary Clinton made a speech in Pakistan about the war against the militants and said: "...we commend the Pakistani military for their courageous fight, and we commit to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistani people in your fight for peace and security."^[75]

In October 2009, the US Congress approved $7.5 billion of non-military aid to Pakistan over the next five years via theKerry-Lugar Bill. In February 2010, US PresidentBarack Obama sought to increase funds to Pakistan to "promote economic and political stability in strategically important regions where the United States has special security interests".^[59] Obama also sought $3.1 billion aid for Pakistan to defeatAl Qaeda for 2010.^[76]

On December 1, 2009, PresidentBarack Obama in a speech on a policy about Pakistan said "In the past, we too often defined our relationship with Pakistan narrowly. Those days are over.... The Pakistani people must know America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistan's security and prosperity long after the guns have fallen silent so that the great potential of its people can be unleashed."^[77] President Obama also said, "In the past, we too often defined our relationship with Pakistan narrowly, those days are over. Moving forward, we are committed to a partnership with Pakistan that is built on a foundation of mutual interests, mutual respect and mutual trust" and that the two countries "share a common enemy' in combating Islamic extremism."^[78]

In the aftermath of a thwarted bombing attempt on a 2009 Northwest Airlines flight, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a new set of screening guidelines that includes pat-downs for passengers from countries of interest, which includes Pakistan.^[79] In a sign of widening fissures between the two allies, on January 21, Pakistan declined a request by the United States to launch new offensives on militants in 2010.^[80] Pakistan say it "can't launch any new offensives against militants for six months to a year because it wants to 'stabilize' previous gains made. However, the US praises Pakistan's military effort against the militants.^[81] Furthermore, Pakistan president, in meeting with the U.S. delegation, had said Pakistan "had suffered a... loss of over 35 billion dollars during the last eight years as a result of the fight against militancy." But the President also called for "greater Pak-U.S. cooperation".

In February 2010,Anne W. Patterson (U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan) said that the United States is committed to a partnership with Pakistan and further said "Making this commitment to Pakistan while the U.S. is still recovering from the effects of the global recession reflects the strength of our vision. Yet we have made this commitment, because we see the success of Pakistan, its economy, its civil society and its democratic institutions as important for ourselves, for this region and for the world."^[77]

Between 2002 and 2010, Pakistan received approximately $18 billion^[82] in military and economic aid from the United States. In February 2010, the Obama administration requested an additional $3 billion in aid, for a total of $20.7 billion.^[83]

In mid-February 2010, after the capture of the second most powerful Taliban,Abdul Ghani Baradar in Pakistan by Pakistani forces, the White House hailed the operation. Furthermore, White House Press SecretaryRobert Gibbs said that this is a "big success for our mutual efforts(Pakistan and United States)in the region" and praised Pakistan for the capture, saying it was a sign of increased cooperation with the US in the terror fight.^[84]

In March,Richard Holbrooke, then US special envoy to Pakistan, said that US-Pakistani relations have seen "significant improvement" under Obama. He also said, "No government on earth has received more high-level attention" than Pakistan.^[85][86]

2011 was rated by the BBC as a "disastrous year" for Pakistan-U.S. relations, primarily due to three events: theRaymond Allen Davis incident, thedeath of Osama bin Laden and theSalala incident.^[87] As early as 2005, Western criticism against Pakistan grew and many European and American political correspondents criticized Pakistan at the public level.^[88] The London-basedThe Economist in fact observed: "As an American ally, Pakistan has become an embarrassment for the United States."^[88] In January 2011, theRaymond Allen Davis incident occurred in which Raymond Davis, an alleged private security contractor, shot dead two Pakistani locals. The action sparked protests in Pakistan and threatened relations between the United States and Pakistan, including aid flows.^[89] Pakistan prosecuted him despite US demands for him to be freed because he enjoysdiplomatic immunity.^[89] Ultimately he was freed after the United States made payments to the families of the slain Pakistanis, but the incident was emblematic of the volatile nature of American-Pakistani relations. In spite of this rocky relationship, the United States has stated that it remains committed to assisting Pakistan's new democratic government in the areas of development, stability, and security.^[90]

The CIA had long suspectedOsama bin Laden of hiding in Pakistan.^[91][92] India and US have also accused Pakistan of giving safe-haven to theTaliban.^[93] However, Pakistan has repeatedly denied these accusations.

The attack on the US embassy and the NATO headquarters in Kabul were blamed on theHaqqani Network, which US AdmiralMike Mullen called "a veritable arm of Pakistan'sInter-Services Intelligence Agency."^[94][95] Pakistan reacted by recalling its finance minister who was on a visit to the U.N.^[96] Pakistan also tried to strengthen the relationship with China and Saudi Arabia to counter the U.S.^[97] The Chinese government advised Pakistan against any commitments that could jeopardize China's relationships with US and India.^[98] The United States reissued a call urging Pakistan to act against theHaqqani Network or else the US would be forced to take on the threat unilaterally.^[99] Islamic groups in Pakistan, issued a fatwa proclaiming Jihad against the US.^[100] This was followed by Pakistan threatening the US with retaliation, if the US went ahead with unilateral action against the Haqqani network.^[101]

In May 2011, Pakistani journalistSaleem Shahzad was killed and in September,The New Yorker reported that the order to kill Shahzad came from an officer on GeneralKayani's staff. In July Admiral Mullen alleged that Shahzad's killing had been "sanctioned by the government" of Pakistan,^[102] but the ISI denied any involvement in the Shahzad murder.

It was reported in 2011 that academics and journalists in the United States have been approached byInter-Services Intelligence spies, who threatened them not to speak about theBalochistan independence movement, as well ashuman rights abuses by the Pakistani Army, or else their families would be harmed.^[103]

Osama bin Laden, then head of the militant groupal-Qaeda, was killed inPakistan on May 2, 2011, shortly after 1 a.m.local time^[104][105] by a United Statesspecial forces military unit. The operation, codenamedOperation Neptune Spear, was ordered by United States PresidentBarack Obama and carried out in a USCentral Intelligence Agency (CIA) operation by a team ofUnited States Navy SEALs from theUnited States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (also known as DEVGRU or informally by its former name, SEAL Team Six) of theJoint Special Operations Command, with support from CIA operatives on the ground.^[106][107]

According to Obama administration officials, US officials did not share information about the raid with the government of Pakistan until it was over.^[108][109] Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffMichael Mullen called Pakistan's army chiefAshfaq Parvez Kayani at about 3 a.m. local time to inform him of the Abbottabad Operation.^[110]

According to the Pakistani foreign ministry, the operation was conducted entirely by US forces.^[111] PakistanInter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials said they were also present at what they called a joint operation;^[112] PresidentAsif Ali Zardari flatly denied this.^[113] Pakistan's foreign secretarySalman Bashir later confirmed that Pakistani military had scrambledF-16s after they became aware of the attack but that they reached the compound after American helicopters had left.^[114]

Since some in the U.S. government claimed that they had caught bin Laden without Pakistani help, numerous allegations were made that the government of Pakistan had shielded bin Laden.^{[112][115][116]} Critics cited the very close proximity of bin Laden's heavily fortified compound to the Pakistan Military Academy, that the US chose not to notify Pakistani authorities before the operation and the double standards of Pakistan regarding the perpetrators of the2008 Mumbai attacks.^{[116][117][118]}

However, according toSteve Coll, as of 2019 there is no direct evidence showing Pakistani knowledge of bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad, even by a rogue or compartmented faction within the government, other than the circumstantial fact of bin Laden's compound being located near (albeit not directly visible from) the Pakistan Military Academy. Documents captured from the Abbottabad compound generally show that bin Laden was wary of contact with Pakistani intelligence and police, especially in light of Pakistan's role in the arrest ofKhalid Sheikh Mohammed; it has also been suggested that the $25 million U.S. reward for information leading to bin Laden would have been enticing to Pakistani officers given their reputation for corruption. The compound itself, although unusually tall, was less conspicuous than sometimes envisaged by Americans, given the common local habit of walling off homes for protection against violence or to ensure the privacy of female family members.^[119]

According to the leaked files, in December 2009, thegovernment of Tajikistan had also told US officials that many in Pakistan were aware of bin Laden's whereabouts.^[120]

CIA chiefLeon Panetta said the CIA had ruled out involving Pakistan in the operation, because it feared that "any effort to work with the Pakistanis could jeopardize the mission. They might alert the targets."^[121] However, Secretary of StateHillary Clinton stated that "cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound in which he was hiding."^[122][123] Obama echoed her sentiments.^[124]John O. Brennan, Obama's chief counterterrorism advisor, said that it was inconceivable that bin Laden did not have support from within Pakistan. He further stated, "People have been referring to this as hiding in plain sight. We are looking at how he was able to hide out there for so long."^[125]

In 2012,Shakil Afridi, a doctor who had set up a fake vaccination campaign – in cooperation with the United States in searching for Al Qaeda and bin Laden – was convicted oftreason by Pakistan, and sentenced to 33 years in prison.^[126][127] The United States Congress voted to cut 33 million dollars in aid to Pakistan: 1 million dollars for every year that Shakil Afridi was sentenced to prison.^[128] The role of Dr. Afridi was exposed by the British newspaperThe Guardian in July 2011. CIA's fake vaccination campaign in turned greatly harmed Pakistan polio vaccine drive in the tribal areas. Experts have criticised the CIA's fake vaccination drive to find bin Laden, stating that there could have been a better and more ethical way to find bin Laden.^[129][130]

Following years of poor inter-governmental relations, the two countries began to cooperate more closely – particularly following the United States' use of drone missiles to strike at Pakistan's most-wanted militantMullah Fazlullah on November 24, 2014, whom they "narrowly missed".^[131] The United States later used drone missiles to kill several of Pakistan's most wanted militants who were hiding in a remote region close to the Afghan border in November 2014. The PakistaniZarb-e-Azb operation against militant in North Waziristan also, in the words of Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, "fractured" theHaqqani Network—long accused by the United States of having a safe harbor in Pakistan.^[131] The United States then captured and transferred a senior Taliban commander,Latif Mehsud, to Pakistan, which had been seeking his arrest.^[132] Following an unprecedented two-week-long visit by Pakistan's most senior military official Gen.Raheel Sharif, Rep.Adam Schiff stated that US-Pakistani relations were on the upswing following several tense years of dysfunction. Pakistan further killed senior Al-Qaeda leaderAdnan el Shukrijumah—long wanted by the United States.^[133] Warming of relations, and increased security cooperation, between Afghanistan and Pakistan were also positive developments by the United States, which had long tried to mend relations between the two countries.^[134]

On 7 May 2015, according to an internal report prepared byCongressional Research Service, Pakistan has made full payment from its national funds towards the purchase of 18 newF-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 52 combat aircraft worth US$1.43 billion. Also including F-16 armaments including 500 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles; 1,450 2,000-pound bombs; 500 JDAM Tail Kits for gravity bombs; and 1,600 Enhanced Paveway laser-guided kits. All this has cost Pakistan US$629 million. Pakistan has also paid US$298 million for 100 harpoon anti-ship missiles, 500 sidewinder air-to-air missiles (US$95 million); and seven Phalanx Close-In Weapons System naval guns (US$80 million). Under Coalition Support Funds (in the Pentagon budget), Pakistan received 26 Bell 412EP utility helicopters, along with related parts and maintenance, valued at US$235 million.^[135]

On February 11, 2016, US government has proposed US$860 million in aid for Pakistan during the 2016–17 fiscal year, including $265 million for military hardware in addition to counterinsurgency funds.^[136]

On August 21, 2017,Donald Trump announced his new strategy forAfghan War and accused Pakistan ofproviding safe havens to terrorists. "The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism. We recognize those contributions and those sacrifices, but Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people", Trump said.^[137] Moreover, Trump also urgedIndia for its role in the war.^[138] Trump's speech led to rise of anti-American sentiments in Pakistan and protests against Trump were held across the country.^[139] Two months later, Trump tweeted that he was starting to develop better relations with the Pakistani government.^[140]

On January 1, 2018, Donald Trump again criticized Pakistan, saying "they have given us nothing but lies and deceit".^[141] President Trump alsoannounced cancelling a $300 million disbursement to Pakistan, citing the country's failure to take strong actions against Afghan Taliban militants and their safe havens in Pakistan.^[142] In February 2018, the Trump administration moved to change Pakistan's status into 'Grey List' of theFinancial Action Task Force (FATF),^[143] pressuring Pakistan to take action against terrorist financing in its territory.^[144]

However, the relations between the two countries improved after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited United States and met President Donald Trump.^[143] Many experts viewed Khan's visit to United States as 'reset in the bilateral relationship between the two countries'. President Trump called for dramatically strengthening trade ties between Pakistan and the United States as America is a top export destination for Pakistan.^[143] President Trump also offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir. However, Trump's offer was immediately rejected by Indian foreign office.^[143]

In September 2019, during a joint rally atHouston, Trump refused to endorse India's repeated allegations against Pakistan.^[145] After the joint rally, Trump called himself a 'friend' of Pakistan and termed Imran Khan as a 'great leader'.^[146]

In January 2020, President Trump once again held a meeting with Prime Minister Khan inDavos, on the sidelines of theWorld Economic Forum. President Trump hailed the growing relationship between the United States and Pakistan.^[147] He said that United States has never been closer with Pakistan than it is currently under his administration. This was the third meeting between the two countries and Trump once again offered to mediate on Kashmir issue. His remarks were welcomed by Prime Minister Khan.^[147]

U.S. "clearly distanced" itself from Pakistan afterthe United States troops withdraws Afghanistan in 2021,^[148] Imran Khan describing it as Afghans breaking "the shackles of slavery".^[149] Pakistan declined an invitation to America's 'Summit for Democracy' under theBiden administration.^[150]

During the2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis, Imran Khan blamed the US officialsDonald Lu and named the United States as the country in question over a "threatening letter", warns American "regime change" led to his downfall.^[151] During the start of thewar Imran Khan paid a visit to Russia and responded to a rally, he said "Are we your slaves? What do you think of us? That we are your slaves and that we will do whatever you ask of us? We are friends of Russia, and we are also friends of the United States. We are friends of China and Europe. We are not part of any alliance."^[152]

In a statement released at the end of the 'Fourth Annual US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue', the United States and India call on Pakistan to take "irreversible action" to ensure thatits soil is not used for terrorist attacks against any other country.^[153]

In October 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden called Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" during an address in California while speaking about the changing global geopolitical situation. Pakistani Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif and Foreign MinisterBilawal Bhutto Zardari rejected the statement as baseless, and the country's acting foreign secretary summoned the U.S. ambassador for an explanation of Biden's remarks.^[154][155]

Since the Pakistani government decided to import Russian oil in 2023,Dawn claimed the United States had demonstrated positive relations with Pakistan by allowing them to purchase oil from Russia at a discounted price, despite not signing a Washington-backed price cap on Russian petroleum products.^[156]

In April 2023, a secret memo written by Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign AffairsHina Rabbani Khar wasleaked to the press where she called for prioritizing ties with China over appeasing the U.S. within the context of the U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry.^[157]

In response to the crackdown on former Prime Minister Imran Khan,Pakistani-American advocacy groups were mobilizing members of the US Congress to issue statements against human rights abuses in Pakistan, further estranging the bilateral relationship.^[158]

In August 2023, according to a leaked diplomatic cable at the March 7, 2022 meeting from Pakistan received byThe Intercept, US State department encouraged removal of Imran Khan owing to his neutral stance on theRussian invasion of Ukraine.^[152]CNN reports that most Pakistanis believe the US involved in a plot against Imran Khan.^[159]

On March 29, 2024,President Biden wrote to Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif, affirming Washington's support for Pakistan in addressing global and regional challenges.^[160] This marked the first official correspondence between a U.S. president and a Pakistani Prime Minister in several years.^[161]

Earlier in the same month, Democratic lawmakers urged President Biden and Secretary of StateAntony Blinken to delay recognition of the new Pakistani government until thorough investigations into election irregularities were completed.^[162][163] They cited evidence of violations and disruptions on election day.

On 19 December 2024, a senior White House official said Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an "emerging threat" to the United States. Pakistan denounced US sanctions on its missile program as "discriminatory".^[164]

In October 2024, theIslamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), a national security think tank based in Pakistan, hired the U.S. lobbying firm Team Eagle Consulting for $1.5 million annually to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations. Led by Stephen Payne, the firm's engagement was registered under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act and was seen as an effort to counter the influence of PTI supporters lobbying for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.^[165]

Madiha Afzal, writing for the Lawfare Institute in collaboration with theBrookings Institution, argues that Pakistan's importance to the United States has significantly diminished following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which ended the primary basis for bilateral engagement centered on counterterrorism and military cooperation. She notes that the relationship has settled into a low-level equilibrium marked by limited agency-level engagement and minimal White House interest, exemplified by President Biden never calling his Pakistani counterpart and offering only a brief letter after Pakistan's contentious 2024 election. Afzal observes that the United States has largely refrained from commenting on Pakistan's troubled democracy, offering only muted concern about the flawed election, while pointing instead to domestic institutions such as the judiciary and election commission to resolve disputes. She argues that Pakistan lacks a compelling strategic narrative, political stability, or economic growth to justify increased U.S. attention, making a robust bilateral relationship unlikely in the foreseeable future.^[166]

In 2025, the U.S.-Pakistan relationship faced renewed complexity as Pakistan navigated its ties with China and the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. A closed-door meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump and Pakistan's army chief,Asim Munir—accompanied byInter Services Intelligence (ISI) chiefAsim Malik—signaled a potential thaw, but the secretive nature of the talks raised questions about their content and implications.^[167]

Marvin Weinbaum of theMiddle East Institute suggested the absence of media indicated sensitive discussions, likely focused on Iran, with the U.S. seeking Pakistan's perspective on the unfolding situation. Pakistan's geographic proximity to Iran and its substantial Shia population constrained its ability to publicly support any U.S. stance perceived as hostile toward Tehran. While the meeting marked a diplomatic opening, experts emphasized that structural challenges and regional pressures continued to limit deeper alignment with Washington.^[167]

In May 2025, Pakistan reportedly hired two lobbying firms with close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump—Javelin Advisors’ Keith Schiller, Trump's former bodyguard, and George Sorial,The Trump Organization’s former compliance chief—to strengthen its relations with the United States.^[168]

According to Muhammad Asif Khan, writing forSouth Asian Voices at theStimson Center, Pakistan has sought to leverage the transactional nature of President Trump’s foreign policy by aligning its outreach with U.S. strategic priorities, particularly in emerging technologies and economic cooperation.^[169] Central to this effort is a high-profile cryptocurrency partnership withWorld Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency company in which Trump’s family reportedly holds a 60% stake.^[170] As part of the initiative, WLF co-founder Zachary Witkoff—son of Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East,Steve Witkoff—visited Pakistan for meetings with senior officials, including Asim Munir. This engagement led to Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Crypto and Blockchain, holding ministerial rank, being invited to speak at a major cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence conference in Las Vegas, attended by Vice PresidentJD Vance and Trump’s sons. At the event, the Pakistani official highlighted the country’s advantages in high-yield bitcoin mining and its potential as a hub for AI data infrastructure, reflecting Islamabad’s attempt to frame itself as a valuable partner in sectors of clear interest to the Trump administration.^[169][171]

On 21 June 2025, Pakistan announced it plans to nominate PresidentDonald Trump for aNobel Peace Prize for his assistance in negotiating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, following the2025 India–Pakistan conflict.^[172] On 22 June 2025, a day after nominating the U.S. president for the Nobel Peace Prize, Pakistan condemned his decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities, stating that the action violated international law and that diplomacy remained the only viable solution to the Iran crisis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the escalation as "deeply disturbing" and warned that further aggression would have grave consequences for the region and beyond. Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif also spoke with Iranian PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian, conveying Pakistan's condemnation of the U.S. strikes.^[173] Pakistan maintained that the strikes “constituted a serious violation of international law” and the statute of theInternational Atomic Energy Agency. The condemnation was on account of Pakistan's close ties to Iran and its support for attacks on Israel.^[174]

Subsequently, critics including opposition leaders, civil society members, authors, and former diplomats denounced the government's nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize as an act of "crass flattery" and a source of national humiliation. Opposition lawmakers, including members of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, strongly criticised the move, while a senator from the conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) submitted a resolution calling for the nomination's withdrawal. Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Maleeha Lodhi, wrote on social media that those responsible should “show some remorse and apologise to the people of Pakistan.” In a later interview withThe Guardian, she described the nomination as "very ill-conceived" and argued that it should be rescinded, questioning why Pakistan would nominate a leader who, in her words, violated international law by bombing Iran.^[175][176]

The public reception in Pakistan overUnited States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites too has been negative. InKarachi, thousands marched in protest against the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.^[173] On 23 June 2025, a nationwide Day of Protest was observed in Pakistan on the call ofJamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, in response to US targeting Iran. Demonstrators condemned the U.S.-Israel alliance, criticized the Pakistani government's Nobel Prize nomination for President Donald Trump, and warned that the airstrikes posed a threat to regional stability and Pakistan's security.^[177]

Renewed Diplomatic Engagement (2025)

In 2025,Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, marking the first high-level dialogue between the two countries in several years. Dar emphasized Pakistan's desire for an “expanded and stable” relationship, acknowledging U.S. support in facilitating a ceasefire with India and responding to Islamabad's recent diplomatic requests. The meeting signaled a reset in bilateral ties, particularly after Pakistan's assistance in the arrest and extradition of a key suspect in the 2021Kabul airport attack, which had earlier earned public praise from PresidentTrump. Amid economic challenges, Pakistan continues to seek U.S. cooperation in areas of financial assistance and regional stability.^[178]

The United States and Pakistan's military have historically close ties, reflecting shared interests in security and stability inSouth Asia,Central Asia as well as in regions coveringEastern Europe.^[181] While Pakistan had close security cooperation with the United States during theCold War, as the United States canceled all military aid to Pakistan in the 2010s, Pakistan increasingly turned to military cooperation with China.^[182]

From 1948 to 2013, the United States has provided a total of US$30 billion in aid to Pakistan,^[183] half of it formilitary purposes. Of these aid and funds arrangement, Pakistan was obligated to spend these monetary funds by purchasing American goods, food, and other services.^{[184][185][186]} In spite of China being the largest importer and exporter for Pakistan's market, the United States continues to be one of the largest sources offoreign direct investment in Pakistan and is Pakistan's largest export market.^[184] With U.S. military assistance suspended in 2018 and civilian aid reduced to about $300 million for 2022, Pakistani authorities have turned to other countries for help.^[6]

According to Pakistani officials, 70,000 civilians and more than 10,000 troops and policemen in Pakistan have died fighting the AmericanWar on Terror, for which the United States has promised to fulfill all the expenditures of the war. A leading recipient of US military assistance, Pakistan expects to receive approximately $20 billion since 2001 a combination of reimbursement to Pakistan and training programs for the Pakistan counter-terrorism units. However, Pakistan claimed the US has not compensated as much as half of that money, but has only claimed so in the media.^[187] In the aftermath of theOsama bin Laden raid, Pakistan Army canceled a $500 million training program and sent all 135 trainers home. The United States showed displeasure at this act and withheld a further $300 million in assistance.^[188]

Some politicians in Pakistan argue the war on terror has cost the Pakistani economy $70 billion and U.S. aid costs the country more in the long term, leading to accusations that the US is making Pakistan aclient state.^[189]

On 31 May 2012, SenatorRand Paul (R-Kentucky) called for the United States to suspend all aid to Pakistan and grant citizenship to a doctor who was jailed for helping hunt down Osama bin Laden.^[190]

FormerUnited States Ambassador to the United NationsZalmay Khalilzad demanded a "complete isolation policy" for Pakistan. He said that if Pakistan does not stop backing radicalism and extremism, the United States should suspend all aid to it and treat it as a secondNorth Korea.^[191]

On 5 January 2018, US suspended about $2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network terror groups and dismantle their safe havens, a White House official said.^[192] All security assistance to Pakistan was frozen after President Donald Trump accused the country of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for $33 billion aid since 2003.^[193] In response, Pakistan's foreign affairs ministerKhawaja Asif accused US of causing 'bloodbath' in the region while claiming that the US forces had carried out 57,800 attacks on Afghanistan from Pakistani bases.^[194][195]

On September 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that they cancel the transfer of approximately $300 million in military aid to Pakistan.^[196] According toThe Economic Times, Pakistani Foreign MinisterShah Mehmood Qureshi stated, "The USD 300 million is neither aid nor assistance – it is the money Pakistan spent from its resources against militants and in the war against terrorism. This is the money they (US) are supposed to reimburse, but now either they are not willing or unable to pay back."^[197] The US is stating that the aid was part of the Coalition Support Fund (CFS) and was not previously owed to the country. The reason for the additional removal of aid, since the initial $500 million aid withdrawal in January 2018, is due to a lack of effort by the Pakistan Government in combating terrorist organizations in their country.^[198][199] The issue over the funding caused tensions in both countries. On September 5, 2018, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Pakistan, the first visit of the Trump administration, but did not discuss the postponement of aid to the country.^[200][201]

In the 1990s, U.S. and theMissile Technology Control Regime put restrictions on Pakistan's space program in amid fear that the country's alleged covert development of missile programs. The U.S. began cooperation with Pakistan in peaceful space technology in the 1960s after establishing theSonmiani Terminal in 1961, constructing an airfield and launch pad. In 1962, theSpace Research Commission launched the first solid-fuel rocket,Rehbar-I, built with close interaction with the U.S.NASA. Launching of the rocket made Pakistan the first South Asian country and tenth country in the world to carrying out the launch of the rocket. During the 1962 and 1972, approximately 200rockets were fired from the Sonmiani, but this cooperation waned after 1972.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, U.S. tightened its embargo and construction on Pakistan's space development, and in 1998, putting restrictions and sanctions on premier astronautics research department,DESTO, although the sanctions were uplifted in 2001 by the Bush administration.^[202]

Pakistan has been accused of letting China access US military technology in the past.

In the early 1990s, U.S. intelligence officials reported that Pakistan had secretly transferred American-madeStinger missiles to China. These missiles had originally been supplied to Pakistan during the 1980s for distribution to Afghan Mujahideen fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan. According to informed sources, the transfer allowed China to potentially reverse-engineer the missile technology or develop electronic countermeasures. While Pakistani officials denied the reports, the incident raised concerns in the United States about the proliferation of advanced weapons systems and the risk of such technology falling into the hands of unauthorized recipients.^[203]

In 2011, following theU.S. Navy SEAL raid that killedOsama bin Laden in Abbottabad, reports suggested that Pakistan likely allowed Chinese officials to examine the wreckage of a top-secret stealth-modified Black Hawk helicopter that crashed during the operation. Despite U.S. efforts to destroy the aircraft, part of the tail section remained intact. While Pakistani officials denied the claims, U.S. sources toldABC News they would be "shocked" if China had not been granted access, andThe New York Times reported that Chinese examination of the wreckage had “probably” occurred, though conclusive evidence was lacking. The incident drew attention to the close military ties between Pakistan and China, with analysts viewing Pakistan's subsequent visit to Beijing for a fighter jet deal as a possible diplomatic message. Former U.S. counter-terrorism advisor Richard Clarke remarked that Pakistan often seeks to reciprocate China's military support and that any stealth technology shared would have been a “much appreciated gift” to Beijing.^[204] In 2021, a stealthy variant Of China'sZ-20, dubbed a 'Black Hawk Clone' by external observers was revealed to the public in a concept form.^[205]

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In late 2023, when Pakistan began deporting Afghans en masse, theBiden administration issued letters of protection to those awaiting US resettlement, including former contractors and others linked to the US war effort. For nearly two years, Pakistani authorities largely honored these protections. However, by 2025, after theSecond Trump administration suspended refugee admissions—deportations intensified, leaving thousands stranded. Reports indicated that police increasingly ignored protection letters; in one case, officers tore up a resettlement document and evicted an individual despite his pending case. A senior Pakistani Foreign Ministry official acknowledged operational missteps but denied large-scale deportations of US-affiliated Afghans.^[206]

The conflicts significantly worsened public opinion in both nations, with each country perceiving the other as one of its least favored. In 2012, only 10% of Americans expressed trust in Pakistan.^[207] Likewise, just 12% of Pakistanis had a favorable view of the United States during the same year.^[208] Low approval ratings for the U.S. were also recorded in other countries across theGreater Middle East, includingEgypt (19%),Turkey (15%), andJordan (12%).^[208] Additionally, about 74% of Pakistanis regarded the United States as an enemy nation.^[209] Key aspects of American foreign policy were deeply unpopular in Pakistan, particularlyU.S. drone strikes. In a survey byPew, 74% of Pakistanis believed that U.S. drone strikes killed too many innocent civilians.^[207] Moreover, American aid programs also faced criticism, often being perceived as tools for advancing U.S. interests at the expense of Pakistan's security, undermining democracy, and fostering corruption. Only 12% of Pakistanis viewed U.S. economic aid favorably, while an even smaller percentage, 8%, regarded U.S. military aid as a positive impact on the country.^[209]

U.S.-based fast food chains such asPizza Hut,KFC andMcDonald's have established a presence in Pakistan.^[210] Similarly, Pakistani cuisine has made inroads in the United States.^{[211][212][213][214]}

• Embassy of the United States, Islamabad
• Black Hawk Down (book)
• Consulate General of the United States, Karachi
• Muslims in the United States military
• Pakistanis in the United States military, American soldiers of Pakistani heritage
• Pakistan–United States skirmishes
• CIA activities in Pakistan
• Mir Aimal Kansi
• Raymond Davis incident

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• Pakistani-American Population and Demographics 2014
• Pakistani Embassy and Consulate Jurisdictions in the United States
• Highs and lows in U.S.-Pakistan relations: The two countries are allies but their relationship has been plagued by mistrust The Washington Post.
• Pakistan needs to lower its expectations of the United States Middle East Institute.
• US-Pak Relations Through the Decades Newsline Magazine.

• Pakistan–United States relations
• Bilateral relations of Pakistan
• Bilateral relations of the United States

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