Pakistan as a Key Player in the Global War on Terror (2001–2021)

This paper examines Pakistan’s role as a central actor in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) from 2001 to 2021. Following the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan aligned with the United States, providing logistics, intelligence, and military support, which positioned it as a frontline ally but also exposed it to unprecedented domestic security threats. The study analyzes Pakistan’s strategic contributions, including military operations in tribal areas, cooperation with U.S. intelligence, and facilitation of the U.S.–Taliban peace process, alongside the immense costs of terrorism, over 70,000 lives lost and economic damages exceeding $120 billion. Internationally, Pakistan’s relations with the U.S., Afghanistan, China, and other powers oscillated between cooperation and mistrust, reflecting its complex balancing act. While Pakistan dismantled significant militant networks and enhanced its counterterrorism capacity, allegations of duplicity and persistent cross-border militancy undermined its credibility. The findings suggest that Pakistan’s role in GWOT was marked by both achievement and controversy, yielding short-term strategic and financial gains but long-term instability and reputational challenges.