INVC NEWS
Washington : The issue of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its alleged collusion with terrorist groups has been a contentious topic for years, particularly in the context of U.S.-Pakistan relations. The claims made by former U.S. National Security Adviser Lieutenant General (Retired) HR McMaster in his book highlight the ongoing concerns within the U.S. government regarding Pakistan’s support for certain militant groups.
According to McMaster, during his tenure as National Security Adviser under the Trump administration, there was significant tension within the U.S. government over how to handle Pakistan, particularly in light of its alleged support for terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan and India.
McMaster recounts an instance where then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was preparing to send a military aid package to Pakistan, which included armored vehicles worth $150 million. However, McMaster intervened to stop the aid, in line with President Trump’s South Asia Strategy, which aimed to cut off support to Pakistan due to its ties with terrorist groups.
McMaster’s account suggests that there was a disconnect between Trump’s clear directives to halt aid to Pakistan and the actions of some U.S. officials who were reluctant to fully sever ties with Islamabad. This tension reflects the complex nature of U.S.-Pakistan relations, where strategic concerns, particularly regarding Afghanistan, often conflicted with the desire to hold Pakistan accountable for its alleged support of terrorism.
The situation was further exacerbated when Pakistan, according to McMaster, did not change its behavior even after the aid was halted. He specifically mentions the release of Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist and the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as a significant failure on Pakistan’s part to address concerns about its support for terrorism. This, according to McMaster, was a clear indication that Pakistan was not willing to change its course, despite the pressure from the U.S.
McMaster’s claims add to the extensive documentation and accusations over the years that the ISI has provided support to various militant groups, including those targeting U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. This has been a major point of contention in U.S.-Pakistan relations, leading to fluctuating levels of aid and cooperation between the two countries.
The broader implications of these allegations are significant, as they reflect the challenges the U.S. has faced in trying to balance its strategic interests in South Asia with the need to combat terrorism. The accusations against the ISI have contributed to a growing mistrust between the U.S. and Pakistan, complicating efforts to stabilize the region, particularly in Afghanistan.
