Pakistan: 25 years post-2001

THE terrorist events of Sept 11, 2001, changed the world and brought about a new security order. Social engineering took place on a large scale, especially within Muslim societies. Conflict erupted across Africa and Asia, often linked to terrorism. These developments triggered large-scale migration towards the West and strengthened the far right in Western societies. Populism took multiple forms. In short, the world changed course, and an era of increasingly controlled societies emerged, affecting technology, the economy, mobility and politics. The 25th anniversary of the tragic incident has triggered a debate: what has the world gained and lost since these events, and what kind of world em­­erged in their aftermath? This question is equally important for Pakistan, as it became a front-line state in the global war against terrorism.

Pakistan’s 25-year experience can perhaps be summarised in one sentence: the country has fai­led to defeat terrorism completely, lost Afgha­nis­tan, witnessed weakened internal cohesion, experienced the rise of authoritarianism, and its economy remains in disarray. The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021 contributed to renewed challenges, particularly from the banned TTP . Meanwhile, Balochistan remains another major security theatre, with separatist groups targeting security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese interests. Economically, Pakistan received billions of dollars in US assistance and Coalition Support Funds but failed to convert this geopolitical opportunity into lasting economic transformation. Terrorism imposed enormous costs through loss of life, reduced investment, damaged infrastructure, and increased security expenditure. However, Pakistan has also achieved significant strategic successes. Before 9/11,…