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Pakistan’s Diplomatic Gamble: 9/11 to 7 October

Explore Pakistan’s Diplomatic Gamble in 2001, balancing U.S. pressure and Taliban ties amidst regional tensions.

23 years ago on October 7, 2001, the world changed forever as the U.S. military officially launched Operation in Afghanistan. However, what unfolded in the month leading up to this event was Pakistan’s diplomatic gamble. It involved a tense balancing act between maintaining an alliance with the Taliban and managing immense pressure from a global superpower.

In the critical month between the 9/11 attacks and the beginning of the U.S. military action in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s diplomatic gamble placed it in a precarious position. Initially, Pakistan, under President Pervez Musharraf, attempted to avoid direct military confrontation by engaging both the U.S. and the Taliban.

At that time, Pakistan urged Afghanistan’s Taliban regime to hand over Osama bin Laden to avoid war. Islamabad understood that the impending U.S. military campaign would have severe regional consequences. However, the Taliban refused, creating further tension between the two nations.

Osama bin Laden [AP]
Osama bin Laden [AP]

During this period, Pakistan’s leadership faced immense pressure from the U.S, while attempting to preserve its regional alliances and interests. Musharraf’s government eventually made the crucial decision to side with the U.S, agreeing to provide logistical support, airbases, and access to Pakistan’s airspace for military operations against the Al-Qaeda & Taliban.

This decision was a strategic necessity, as Pakistan feared being isolated if it didn’t cooperate with the U.S. but also knew it would invite severe blowback domestically and regionally.

Pictured: President Bush and President Musharraf [AP]
Pictured: U.S. President Bush and Pakistani President Musharraf [AP]

Also See: Pakistan’s 40-Year Journey With Afghan Refugees

India’s Strategic Move

At the same time, India played an active role in aligning with the U.S. In late September, India offered several military bases to the U.S. for operations in Afghanistan, a move that created significant concern for Pakistan, as it undermined Islamabad’s strategic influence in the region and heightened the Kashmir conflict. India’s support to the U.S. ensured stronger ties with America while increasing the pressure on Pakistan in the context of both regional security and the Kashmir dispute.

U.S. President George Bush and India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh exchange handshakes in New Delhi [Wikimedia Commons]
U.S. President George Bush and India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh exchange handshakes in New Delhi [Wikimedia Commons]

Destabilization in the Region

The results of these decisions had long-term consequences. Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the broader region were destabilized, with Pakistan suffering the brunt of the post-9/11 fallout. From 2001 onward, Pakistan witnessed a dramatic increase in terrorist attacks and internal conflicts, with losses amounting to over $123 billion and thousands of lives. What began as a campaign against one terror organization Al-Qaeda soon evolved into a chaotic proliferation of multiple extremist groups, exacerbating instability across the region.

The presence of U.S. forces in Afghanistan reshaped the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. Pakistan’s alignment with America in the war on terror further impacted the region. This involvement has left behind a legacy of ongoing conflict and political complexity.

Pakistani forces battle the ongoing threat of terrorism [Hilal Publications]
Pakistani forces battle the ongoing threat of terrorism [Hilal Publications]

PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.

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