Abstract
Pakistan being an immediate neighbor of Afghanistan and a historical U.S. ally
became frontline state not only in combating terrorism but a victim of
aggression itself in multiple forms including sectarian conflicts, instability and
extremism, discontent in the provinces, militancy, and growing violence which
has dragged the country into social, political and economic quagmire. Today,
Pakistan has become a source of great concern for the U.S. regarding
combating terrorism. Pakistan’s western border is used by Taliban and AlQaeda terrorists as a safe haven where they could easily pursue their
activities. These terrorist not only posing a serious security threat to the
stability and security of Pakistan but on the other hand, they are trying to
destabilize U.S. and its allies reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan in the War
against Terrorism. This precarious situation has given these terrorists a free
hand to exploit already deteriorating condition and they successfully create
toxic propaganda on the basis of a narrative of government’s failure to provide
stability and prosperity to the deprived people of the region.
Since Pakistan has been a key ally of Washington; it has contributed more
than any other coalition partner of the U.S. in this ongoing War against
Terrorism including sacrifices of more than 8,500 Pakistan military personnel
and as many as 35,000 Pakistani civilians. Pakistan under President
Musharraf regime not only banned several militant terrorist organizations but it
acted in a prompt manner in detaining thousands of extremists from its
territory. It captured many high value Al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists thus
extending full length support to the U.S. military and law enforcement
agencies in rooting out terrorists’ network.
Lubna Sunawar. (2015) Pakistan as a Frontline State in War Against Terrorism: Cost & Benefit Analysis, Journal of Political Studies, Volume 22, Issue 2.
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