THE CHANGING NATURE OF PAKISTAN’S ROLE AND CHALLENGES IN “THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM” SINCE 9/11

After the 9/11 terror attack in New York, discourse on Pakistan and the United States relations took a sharp turn from hostile political and diplomatic relations to deeply engaging and mutually beneficial relations. Pakistan joined the allied forces as the key strategic ally in the global war on terror, and played dual roles as the provider for the war waging efforts of allied forces and also launched counter insurgency operations on its home soil. Over the period of time, the role and challenges of Pakistan changed because of changes in its political structures and domestic political compulsions. The nature of relations of the two countries has been transactional in nature, now the losses are outweighing the benefits of the partnership, thus Pakistan is gradually parting its way with the US and as a result of this the strategic interests of both countries in Afghanistan have become mutually exclusive.