Pakistan Gets Praise, But No One Knows What’s Next for US-Pakistan Ties?

On March 4, President Donald Trump gave a joint address to the U.S. Congress. In his hour-and-a-half-long speech, he looked back on his accomplishments since returning to the presidency for a second term on January 20, a day he called ‘the dawn of the golden age of America.’ Trump mainly focused on his domestic policy efforts, including easing economic regulations, reducing federal jobs, and tightening immigration controls.

Trump also emphasized that the United States is ‘standing strong against the forces of radical Islamic terrorism.’ He brought up the Kabul airport bombing on August 26, 2021, when a suicide bomber linked to IS in Afghanistan killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghan civilians during the U.S. troops withdrawal. Trump criticized how the withdrawal was handled under the Biden administration, calling it ‘perhaps the most embarrassing moment in our country’s history.’ However, he added, ‘I’m pleased to announce we’ve captured the top terrorist behind that attack, and he’s now on his way here to face the swift justice of America.’

A Surprise Thank-You—And What It Means

During a recent address, Trump made a point to express gratitude to Islamabad: “I want to thank, especially, the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster.” The “monster” in question was Mohammad Sharifullah, an ISKP leader allegedly involved in terrorist activities across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The arrest, confirmed by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, was the result of months of intelligence sharing between the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The appreciation wasn’t limited to Trump’s remarks. US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz reportedly called Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar the same day, conveying the White House’s gratitude for Islamabad’s counterterrorism efforts. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded on social media, thanking Trump for recognizing Pakistan’s role in regional security. Sharif also revealed that Sharifullah was an Afghan national captured in a joint operation near the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border—a region long plagued by militant activity.

The prime minister further highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, stating that the country had lost 80,000 soldiers and civilians over the years. “We remain unflinching in our resolve to eradicate terrorism,” Sharif declared, adding that Pakistan would continue partnering with the US to ensure regional stability.

Behind the Scenes: How the Arrest Went Down

The operation leading to Sharifullah’s capture was months in the making. Sources indicate that CIA Director John Ratcliffe raised the issue with ISI chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik during his first call after office. The matter was revisited during a meeting at the Munich Security Conference last month, where Ratcliffe reportedly pressed for urgent action.

According to insiders, the CIA had been tracking Sharifullah for some time but only recently obtained precise intelligence on his whereabouts—information swiftly relayed to Pakistani forces. An elite Pakistani unit then moved in, apprehending the militant near the border.

But the arrest wasn’t just about counterterrorism—it carried diplomatic undertones. It also claimed that Ratcliffe made it clear to his Pakistani counterparts that cooperation on this case could pave the way for better relations with the Trump administration. Given the strained ties since the US exit from Afghanistan—and Pakistan’s fading role as a mediator after the Doha Agreement—Islamabad had reason to take the hint.

A Thaw in Relations?

The Sharifullah arrest isn’t the only sign of warming US-Pakistan relations. Last month, the Trump administration quietly released $397 million in funds for a US-backed program monitoring Pakistan’s use of F-16 fighter jets—a move seen as a subtle but significant policy shift. The money ensures these jets are used strictly for counterterrorism operations and not against India, Pakistan’s archrival.

For Pakistan, the decision was a welcome one. Defense ties between the two nations had been frosty since the mid-2010s when the US Congress blocked Pakistan’s request for subsidies to buy additional F-16s. Islamabad had to either pay full price or back out at the time—it chose the latter. With funds flowing again, there’s cautious optimism that military cooperation could rebound.

The Bigger Picture: Can This Last?

Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, Maleeha Lodhi, views the recent developments as evidence that counterterrorism cooperation remains strong—even if political relations have been lackluster. “The military-to-military ties have endured,” she noted, emphasizing that such collaboration is crucial given the rising threat of groups like ISKP and the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, both organizations have escalated attacks, making security coordination between Washington and Islamabad more vital than ever. For Pakistan—grappling with economic crises and internal instability—a reset with the US could offer much-needed diplomatic and financial relief.

But there’s a catch: Trump is unpredictable.

In a move that caught many off guard,  President Donald Trump publicly thanked Pakistan for its role in the arrest of a high-profile Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) commander—a gesture that has reignited discussions about the future of US-Pakistan relations. For years, analysts had assumed Pakistan’s strategic relevance to Washington was waning, especially after the messy US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Yet, Trump’s acknowledgment—and the subsequent diplomatic exchanges—suggest that the relationship may be entering a new, albeit uncertain, phase.

His administration’s policies have zigzagged between confrontation and cooperation, leaving analysts hesitant to predict where US-Pakistan relations are headed. While the arrest of Sharifullah and the F-16 funding signals a potential thaw, whether this translates into a lasting partnership remains to be seen.

A Relationship in Flux

For now, Pakistan seems to be back in Washington’s good graces—at least temporarily. The joint counterterrorism success and the resumption of military aid suggest that both sides still value working together. But today’s allies can quickly become tomorrow’s afterthoughts in the high-stakes world of US foreign policy.

History has shown that US-Pakistan relations have always been a rollercoaster—driven by short-term interests rather than long-term trust. Will this latest chapter lead to a genuine reset? Or is it just another fleeting moment of cooperation before the next downturn? Only time—will tell, Only time will tell—what’s next for US-Pakistan ties?