The US State Department’s announcement designating the Balochistan Liberation Army and Majid Brigade as terrorist organizations, coinciding with an expansion in military and economic cooperation with Pakistan, has raised important questions. Frequent visits to Washington by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, trade agreements and tariff reductions, and even promises of oil cooperation have warmed ties on the surface. But history — from obstructing the Iran–Pakistan “Peace Pipeline” to supporting extremist groups — suggests America’s aims go well beyond strengthening Pakistan’s security.

Bitter Lessons and the Double Game in Counter-Terrorism

The history of bilateral relations is full of cases where the US, after exploiting Pakistan’s cooperation, reneged on its promises. Examples include supporting Daesh along Pakistan’s borders, blocking Islamabad’s closeness to China, and playing a role in domestic destabilization. Even the blacklisting of two Pakistani groups, when coupled with open backing for outfits like IS-Khorasan or Jaish al-Zulm, looks more like a pressure tool and a way to legitimize other destructive actors. The experience in Syria — where Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham was removed from the terror list to facilitate meetings with Abu Mohammad al-Julani — shows such moves can be part of a broader deception campaign.

From the India Scenario to the Division Project

Washington’s pivot towards Pakistan coincides with tensions between the US and New Delhi over tariffs and India’s ties with Russia, hinting at a tactical realignment. Just as the US steered India into deep collaboration with Israel — imposing heavy domestic and foreign costs — Pakistan faces a serious risk of being pushed down a similar path. Moreover, America’s long-standing policy of creating rifts among members of organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and D-8 could be applied to Pakistan’s geostrategic position to undermine Asian integration routes.

Pakistan’s Core Principles and the Need for Strategic Vigilance

Despite external pressures, Pakistan has so far maintained its commitment to supporting Palestine, condemning Israeli aggression, and resisting US dictates. The recent visit of Iran’s president to Islamabad, and the emphasis on cooperation with China and Russia, signal a push to strengthen the Eastern bloc and ignore short-term Western promises. This principled stance could serve as a strong shield against Washington’s infiltration and destabilizations projects — provided Islamabad remains alert and uses past experiences as a guide for the future.