The signing of the CIS-MOA could potentially pave the way for Islamabad to obtain military hardware from Washington.
ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the federal cabinet has discreetly approved the signing of a security pact with the United States, which could open doors for Islamabad to acquire military hardware from Washington.
Official sources confirmed that the cabinet approved the signing of the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CIS-MOA) between Pakistan and the US through a circulation summary.
The CIS-MOA is a foundational agreement that the US enters with its allies and countries to maintain close military and defense ties. It also provides legal cover to the US Department of Defense for facilitating the sale of military equipment and hardware to other countries.
Despite the approval, there was no official announcement from either side regarding the signing of the CIS-MOA. When approached, Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb did not respond as of the filing of this report.
A cabinet member, who preferred not to be identified, confirmed the circulation of the summary on the CIS-MOA but did not disclose whether a majority of the cabinet members gave their approval.
Renewed CIS-MOA Indicates Continued Commitment Between Pakistan and the US
The signing of the CIS-MOA signifies the commitment of both countries to maintain the institutional mechanism. Initially signed in October 2005 for 15 years between the Joint Staff Headquarters of Pakistan and the US Department of Defense, the agreement expired in 2020. However, the two sides have now renewed the arrangement, which encompasses joint exercises, operations, training, basing, and equipment.
According to a source in Washington, the signing of the CIS-MOA suggests that the US might consider selling some military hardware to Pakistan in the coming years.
A retired senior army officer downplayed the development, speaking on condition of anonymity. Having previous experience in dealing with the US, the officer stated that despite the agreement, it remains challenging for Pakistan to procure military hardware from the US.
The officer pointed out the growing strategic ties between the US and India, emphasizing that Washington’s long-term interests are not fully aligned with Islamabad. However, the US still requires Pakistan’s cooperation in certain critical areas, and this agreement serves the purposes of both countries.
In the past, Pakistan was a major recipient of military and security assistance from the US. However, the dynamics changed after the end of the Cold War, and with China emerging as a challenger to US supremacy, Washington sought closer cooperation with India to counter China’s influence. Consequently, Pakistan’s significance in the eyes of the US decreased.
Nevertheless, the renewal of the CIS-MOA suggests that the US is, at least, not looking to downgrade its ties with Pakistan, according to another source.
