Strategic Assets and the Great Game: 1979–2001

Abstract

Pakistan’s relationship with United States was like a roller coaster ride during the leadership of President Zia ul-Haq (1979–1988), followed by late prime minister Benazir Bhutto (1988–1990), daughter of late prime minister Zulfikar Bhutto, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (1990–1993), followed again by Benazir Bhutto (1993–1996), and Nawaz Sharif (1996–1999), and President Pervez Musharraf (1999–2008). Zia and Musharraf were generals before they became presidents, ousting Zulfikar and Sharif by coups d’état. American presidents Jimmy Carter (1977–1981), Ronald Reagan (1981–1989), George H. W. Bush (1989–1993), and Bill Clinton (1993–2001) all dealt with the Pakistani government during this difficult period to contain Communists or terrorists. Zulfikar’s ardent anti-Americanism replaced Ayub’s fervent pro-Americanism. America, despite its bountiful military aid and grand relations with Pakistani dictators Ayub, Tikka, Zia, and Musharraf, was accused of having a disregard for democracy and freedom of press, and this created anti-American feelings among Pakistanis. In Pakistan’s eyes, America was not on its side during Ayub’s war with India in 1965, Yahya’s war with India in 1971, and Musharraf’s Kargil intrusion in 1998. The halting of American aid as a result of Pakistan’s nuclear weapon development further bolstered this sentiment. America’s attitude toward India changed for the better with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and this, too, strained the US-Pakistan relationship.