THE HIDDEN COSTS PAKISTAN PAID FOR SUPPORTING U.S. INTERESTS IN THE REGION

Abstract

Pakistan aligned itself with the United States during the Soviet-Afghan War and later in the War on Terror, becoming a frontline state in both conflicts. This alignment brought strategic recognition but came at the cost of internal security, regional trust, and long-term socio-political consequences. The Afghan jihad of the 1980s, supported by the CIA and coordinated via Pakistan’s ISI, introduced militant networks, drug trafficking, and a widespread Kalashnikov culture into Pakistan’s society, destabilizing its internal order for decades. After 2001, Pakistan facilitated U.S. military operations in Afghanistan through logistics, intelligence cooperation, and drone warfare support, despite severe domestic backlash. In return, Pakistan faced frequent accusations of duplicity, even as it bore the brunt of terrorism on its own soil.