Historical Perspective of Pakistan USA Relations; Lessons for Pakistan

The United States and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1947 the US agreement to provide economic and military assistance to Pakistan and the latter’s partnership in the CENTO and SETO strengthened relations between the two nations. However, that US suspension of military assistance during the 1965, 1971, 1975, generated a white spread feeling in Pakistan that the United States was not a reliable ally. The soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 highlighted the common interest of Pakistan and the United States in peace and stability in South Asia. The purpose of this paper is to analyze Pakistan US relationship in historical perspective, highlighting lesson that Pakistan should learn from its past’s experiences with the US and recommended a viable strategy for the future.