The authors: Mussarat Jabeen, Muhammad Saleem Mazhar and Naheed S.

Goraya, address the

strains the relationship of Pakistan and United States suffered due to the terriorist attacks on the

twin towers and the Pentagon on September 11 2001 in the article Trends and Challenges in

Pak-US relations: Post September 11. The authors have the overarching theme of the global

restraints along with the negative impacts Pakistan had to face due the terriorist attacks which in

turn heavily affected the relationship of United States and Pakistan. The authors state that prior

to the attacks, Pakistan was always a major part of the foreign policy of United States due to its

crucial role of having a great geo-strategic position. However, after the attacks, even though

Pakistan opted to go on the war on terrorism, still suffered heavily. The terrorist group that went

through with the attacks, Al-Qaeda, did not only threaten the greatest economic and military

power in the world, but also challeneged the great power as Al Qaeda wanted “proposed change
1
to alter the balance of power between the West and the Islamic world” . Prior to the attacks

Pakistan was a great supporter of the Taliban movement, however after the infamous quotes of

General Bush that stated that sovereign countries were “either with us or 100% against us. There

is no grey area” 2, Pakistan had no choice but to indulge themselves into the war against

terrorism rather than opting for policy of isolation. By adding this fight against terrorism in its

foreign policy, Pakistan was in a way forced to make their policies in support of the new regime

in Afghanistan and let go of their support of the Talibans and of the arm support to the insurgents

in Kashmir. Thus making “Terrorism as the principal challenge to Pak-US relations” 3. Not only

that but the current tilt of USA towards India became also a major concern for Pakistan.
1
Jabeen, Mussarat, et al. “Trends and Challenges in Pak-US Relations: Post September 11.” South Asian Studies  ,
25, July 2010, pp. 1–14.
2
Jabeen, Mussarat, et al. “Trends and Challenges in Pak-US Relations: Post September 11.” South Asian Studies  ,
25, July 2010, pp. 1–14.

3
Jabeen, Mussarat, et al. “Trends and Challenges in Pak-US Relations: Post September 11.” South Asian Studies  ,
25, July 2010, pp. 1–14.
Therefore Pakistan, as suggested by the authors, must create and implement “the policy, which is

least hazardous. Instead of becoming alliance/ partner or ally to Washington’s designs, it should

ensure its security”4. In the end, the authors argue that even though its a difficult task but not an

impossible one, Pakistan must make itself strong in the economic, social and political sectors so

that it may create policies that “ secure an honourable position and would be helpful to settle the

regional disputes while ensuring our national security and economic well-being”5.

4
Jabeen, Mussarat, et al. “Trends and Challenges in Pak-US Relations: Post September 11.” South Asian Studies  ,
25, July 2010, pp. 1–14.

5
Jabeen, Mussarat, et al. “Trends and Challenges in Pak-US Relations: Post September 11.” South Asian Studies  ,
25, July 2010, pp. 1–14.