by Arshad Mehmood
Twenty-three years ago, on October 7, 2001, the United States launched its invasion of Afghanistan, a move that would reshape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. Termed the “War on Terror,” the invasion was a direct response to the September 11 attacks orchestrated by Al-Qaeda. The US and its allies sought to dismantle Al-Qaeda’s operational base in Afghanistan and capture its leader, Osama bin Laden. In the initial stages, the invasion rapidly overthrew the Taliban regime, which had provided haven to the terrorist organization. But what began as a mission to root out terrorism morphed into a protracted conflict, lasting two decades and concluding with a chaotic US-led withdrawal in 2021.
From the onset of the invasion, Pakistan was a critical partner for the US. Islamabad’s strategic location, sharing a lengthy and porous border with Afghanistan, made it indispensable in the fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The country was designated a “major non-NATO ally” by the US, a status that granted Pakistan certain military and financial support in exchange for its cooperation. The partnership was fraught with challenges, as Pakistan navigated the delicate balance between supporting the US while managing its own security and domestic political concerns.
In the years following the 2001 invasion, Pakistan provided logistics, air bases, and intelligence support to American forces. However, the alliance came with significant sacrifices. Pakistan became a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, facing the blowback from militants who targeted its cities, towns, and military installations in response to its alignment with the US. Despite its substantial contributions, the relationship between Washington and Islamabad was often marred by mutual distrust, accusations of duplicity, and diverging strategic priorities.
The human and economic costs of Pakistan’s involvement in the war on terror have been staggering. Since 2001, over 70,000 Pakistanis—both civilians and security personnel—have lost their lives in terrorist attacks. This toll includes the devastating wave of suicide bombings that struck public spaces, schools, and places of worship, leaving behind a trail of destruction and trauma. The tribal areas, particularly North and South Waziristan, became battle zones as the Pakistani military launched operations against militants who sought refuge there.
The emergence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) further exacerbated the country’s internal security challenges. Formed in the aftermath of the 2001 invasion, the TTP capitalized on the instability along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, targeting the Pakistani state through a series of deadly attacks. The group’s campaign included the infamous 2014 massacre at the Army Public School in Peshawar, which left 132 children dead and shocked the nation. For many in Pakistan, the war on terror felt like an unending cycle of violence, even as the country played a pivotal role in assisting US counter-terrorism efforts.
Beyond the loss of life, Pakistan’s economy suffered immensely due to its involvement in the war on terror. The frequent terrorist attacks deterred foreign investment, strained public resources, and disrupted economic growth. According to official estimates, Pakistan’s economy suffered losses amounting to over $150 billion due to the war. The conflict also strained Pakistan’s infrastructure and social services, with millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the violence in the tribal regions and seeking refuge in other parts of the country.
Pakistan also bore the burden of hosting millions of Afghan refugees, both from earlier waves during the Soviet invasion and from the new influx following the US invasion. The presence of these refugees put additional pressure on Pakistan’s economy and social fabric, creating tensions between local populations and refugee communities. Despite the challenges, Pakistan continued to provide refuge, even as it navigated complex relations with Kabul and Washington.
In August 2021, the United States made a hasty exit from Afghanistan, ending its military presence after 20 years of war. The withdrawal marked a dramatic and chaotic conclusion to a conflict that had defined the region for two decades. The rapid collapse of the US-backed Afghan government, followed by the Taliban’s swift return to power, created a power vacuum in the country, triggering a humanitarian crisis as thousands of Afghans attempted to flee.
For Pakistan, the US withdrawal brought new challenges. The instability in Afghanistan led to a resurgence of militant activities in the border regions, with the TTP and other extremist groups becoming emboldened. Cross-border attacks and the movement of militants into Pakistani territory further complicated the security situation. Despite its sacrifices, Pakistan felt abandoned by the US, left to manage the fallout of a war it had supported at great cost.
The shift in American strategic focus towards China and the Indo-Pacific region left Islamabad struggling to maintain relevance in Washington’s new geopolitical calculations. As the US pivoted away, Pakistan faced an increasingly hostile security environment, including tensions with India and a resurgence of terrorist activities. The fragile security situation, coupled with economic challenges, has made it difficult for Pakistan to stabilize the region and achieve lasting peace.
As the world marks 23 years since the US invasion of Afghanistan, the legacy of the war on terror remains a subject of deep reflection. For Pakistan, the conflict brought both international recognition and immense suffering. It highlighted the country’s strategic importance but also exposed the vulnerabilities and complexities of its internal dynamics. While the US may have closed the chapter on its longest war, the conflict’s aftershocks continue to shape the realities of the region.
In Afghanistan, the return of the Taliban to power has raised concerns about the re-emergence of extremist ideologies, with Al-Qaeda reportedly re-establishing a presence in the country. Pakistan, facing the spillover effects of this renewed instability, continues to grapple with the challenges of cross-border terrorism and internal security threats. The promise of a peaceful and stable region remains elusive, as the shadow of the war on terror looms large over both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The story of Pakistan’s involvement in the war on terror is a cautionary tale about the complex dynamics of international alliances and the unintended consequences of military interventions. As Islamabad navigates a new era without the strategic support it once received from Washington, the hope for a more stable and secure future lies in regional cooperation and a long-term strategy to address the root causes of extremism.