U.S. POLICY TOWARDS PAKISTAN AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

The incident of September 11, 2001 became a watershed in world politics changing the regional and global security scenario dramatically. Pakistan as a "frontline" state climbed to centre stage in the United States' policy agenda to combat terrorism and to hunt down the remnants of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda network. The U.S. as a great power with global responsibilities and commitments took advantage of Pakistan's desperate need for political, military and economic assistance and made Pakistan its long-term partner to achieve its wider objectives in the region. As a result Pakistan has had to bring about changes in its foreign policy that weighed against advantages look costly. It has also proved that only long-term engagement with Pakistan can prevent the growing terrorism provided the U.S. is able to give a good account of itself as a sincere partner of Pakistan.