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Summary:
Major areas of U.S. concern regarding Pakistan include regional terrorism; weapons proliferation; the ongoing Kashmir dispute and Pakistan-India tensions; human rights protection; and economic development. A U.S.-Pakistan relationship marked by distance and discord was transformed by the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing enlistment of Pakistan as a key ally in U.S.-led anti-terrorism efforts. Top U.S. officials regularly praise Pakistan for its ongoing cooperation, although there exist renewed doubts about Islamabad's commitment to core U.S. concerns in the region. A potential Pakistan-India arms race c o n t i n u e s t o b e t h e fo cu s o f U . S . nonproliferation efforts in South Asia. Attention to this issue intensified following nuclear tests by both countries in May 1998. South Asia is viewed by many analysts as a high-risk arena for the use of such weapons, as both countries have institutionalized nuclear command structures and deployed nuclearcapable ballistic missiles. India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars since 1947. Close Pakistan-U.S. relations began in the mid-1950s as a security arrangement growing from U.S. concerns about Soviet expansionism and Pakistan's fear of India. Cooperation peaked during the 1979-89 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Ties weake n e d following the 1990 cutoff of most U.S. aid to Pakistan in response to Islamabad's nuclear weapons program. Further U.S. sanctions were imposed on Pakistan as a result of the nuclear tests. Remaining nuclear-related sanctions were waived in 2001. Separatist violence in the disputed Kashmir region continues unabated. India blames Pakistan for the ongoing infiltration of Islamic militants into Indian Kashmir, a charge Islamabad denies. The United States received a June 2002 pledge from Islamabad that all "cross-border terrorism" would end, and it encourages a cease-fire along the Line of Control and renewed dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi. The United States considers a stable, democratic, economically thriving Pakistan as key to U.S. interests in South and Central Asia. Democracy has faired poorly in Pakistan; the country has endured three full-scale military coups and military rule for half of its existence. In October 1999, the government of Prime Minister Sharif was ousted in an extra-constitutional coup led by Army Chief Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf has since assumed the title of President, a move ostensibly legitimized by a controversial April 2002 referendum. The United States strongly urges the Musharraf government to restore the country to civilian democratic rule. National elections held in October 2002 resulted in no clear majority party emerging but were marked by significant gains for a coalition of Islamic parties. A civilian parliament and Prime Minister Jamali were seated in November 2002. Congress granted the President authority to waive coup-related sanctions on Pakistan through FY2003; pending legislation may extend this authority though FY2005. Pakistan faces serious problems, including a weak economy and domestic terrorism. Pakistan received more than $1.5 billion in U.S. assistance for FY2002 and FY2003. In June 2003, President Bush pledged to seek a five-year, $3 billion aid package for Pakistan to begin in FY2005. See also CRS Report RS21299, Pakistan's Domestic Political Developments, and CRS Report RL31624, Pakistan-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation.
