Shamsullah Shaheer
In the past three years until the second term of Shahbaz Sharif, the relations between Pakistan and the USA were severely strained, and the defeat of the USA in Afghanistan also significantly impacted the relations of the Pakistani regime with the mentioned country. This is because Pakistan had allowed the use of its land and airspace for the occupation of Afghanistan, and the corrupt Pakistani regime had prospered in the game of killing Afghans and was shamelessly fishing in troubled waters.
However, with the February 2024 elections and the ascension to power of the new coalition government led by Shahbaz Sharif in March, Sharif endeavored to rekindle past relations and garner support from the United States.
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir embarked on a 12-day trip to the USA and held constructive negotiations with the American side to gather funds to improve the deadly economic, political, and security situation and to acquire new projects for the destruction of others.
Pakistan, whose security situation is deteriorating day by day and whose economic situation is encountering challenges, seeks to overcome this critical state and control its security situation by acquiring the ISIS Project from the USA and Tajikistan, in order to exert pressure on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The cordial relations among these three nations were fostered during the administration of Shahbaz Sharif. John Bass, the Deputy Acting Secretary of State for Asian Affairs of the United States, visited Pakistan and conducted naval exercises between the American and Pakistani governments in Karachi.
Furthermore, last month, Pakistan announced Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. A week after the announcement, Pakistan conducted joint ground exercises with the United States in Punjab. These exercises recently concluded after two weeks of training, educating troops in various fields.
Punjab aims to signal to nations such as Iran, China, and Russia that there exists collaboration among us, and we can pose challenges and impediments against the implementation of significant projects and joint endeavors in the region.
Simultaneously, Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the President of Tajikistan met five days ago, urging for collaborative efforts to combat terrorism in Afghanistan and advocate for an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
Regarding the terrorism under discussion, Tajikistan itself is reportedly recruiting ISIS members while Pakistan is providing them with safe havens.
The collective military exercises between the United States and Pakistan are orchestrated to instigate insecurity in the region, particularly along the Durand Line, and to convey a message to nations seeking to enhance relations, cooperation, and engagements with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
They do not desire a strong central government in Afghanistan, and the United States is unwilling to relinquish control over Afghanistan’s vital geographical significance in Asia to its former rivals (Russia, China, and Iran).
