 Pakistan’s Foundation: Pakistan was created in 1947 when British India was divided

into two countries, India and Pakistan, based on religious majorities. Pakistan had a
majority Muslim population, while India had a majority Hindu population.
 Early Challenges: Pakistan faced several challenges at its birth, including security
concerns, underdeveloped infrastructure, and financial limitations. The partition also led
to massive migrations and violence.
 Territorial Disputes: Right after independence, Pakistan and India had disputes over
assets and territories, especially the region of Kashmir, leading to conflicts.
 Foreign Relations: Pakistan aimed to build strong alliances to counter India. It leaned
towards Western countries like the U.S. and became part of the British Commonwealth.
India, on the other hand, chose a non-aligned policy, staying neutral and later joining the
Non-Aligned Movement.
Foreign policy – The collection of strategies a country uses to guide its relationships with other
countries. Security and Stability, economic growth, global influence.
Dominating Factors in making foreign policy of Pakistan
Security Concerns: At the time of independence, Pakistan faced significant security fears,
particularly due to its contentious relationship with India and the dispute over Kashmir.
Economic Challenges: The lack of infrastructure and limited financial resources were critical
issues that influenced Pakistan’s foreign policy decisions.
Early years of Pakistan 1947 to 1952
In foreign policy, Liaquat established friendly relations with the United States when he visited
President Harry S. Truman in 1950. Pakistan’s early foreign policy was one of nonalignment,
with no formal commitment to either the United States or the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics (USSR), the two major adversaries in the Cold War. In 1953, however, Pakistan
aligned itself with the United States and accepted military and economic [Link]’s
relations with the United States developed against the backdrop of the Cold War.
Pakistan’s strategic geographic position made it a valuable partner in Western alliance systems to
contain the spread of communism. In 1954 Pakistan signed a Mutual Defense Agreement with
the United States and subsequently became a member of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
(SEATO) and CENTO. These agreements placed Pakistan in the United States sphere of
influence.
The Indian government followed a different, non-aligned policy stance, which leaned closer to
the Soviet Union rather than the United States of America.
Pak us relationships during ayub era 1958 to 1969
During the Ayub era (1958-1969), Pakistan’s relationship with the US strengthened significantly.
Pakistan positioned itself as a key ally in the US strategy against communism, joining regional
defense organizations like SEATO and CENTO. This led to substantial military and economic
aid from the US, reaching $500 million by 1957. In 1959, Aub’s government allowed the US to
set up an intelligence facility in Badaber, NWFFP province and operate U2 surveillance flights
over the Soviet Union from its Peshawar Airport. This arrangement and the closer relationship of
the Pakistani government with the US administration allowed it to acquire increasing military
hardware and arms for its defense services. The issue troubling the US was Pakistan’s closer
relations with China. In 1962, China defeated India in a war, prompting Pakistan to strengthen
ties with China to counter India. However, this friendship with China upset the US, engaged in
Vietnam. In 1965, Pakistan initiated a conflict with India in Kashmir, hoping to force
negotiations. The war escalated but ended in a truce, returning both sides to previous borders.

Bhutto Years 1972 – 1977

Prime Minister Bhutto initially focused his attention with normalizing the domestic situation
in the country. The Government of Pakistan signed a truce with India, recognized the
government of Bangladesh and eventually the 90,000 prisoners were returned by India. The
major challenge for the new government came in May, 1974 when India executed an
underground nuclear [Link] forced the Pakistanis to also seek a nuclear weapons program
to match India’s [Link] became a major cause for concern for the US
administration. Pakistan started efforts to
acquire a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant from France and a heavy water facility from West
Germany. During Bhutto’s government Pakistan’s foreign policy was aligned to see ka
balance between its relations with China, Russia and the USA. Pakistan placed a special
emphasis on its relations with the Arab countries in the Middle [Link] Ford and later
Jimmy Carter’s administration, sanctions were placed on Pakistan related to export control
and restriction of aid grants. Prime Minister Bhutto called elections in March 1977 from
which he gained a landslide victory. However, the opposition blamed it on massive rigging
and started a public campaign to oust Bhutto. Prime Minister Bhutto claimed in public
rhetoric that the American were behind the opposition movement and wanted to punish his
government for its nuclear weapons program and alignment with the Arabs. In July 1977,
the Army seized power in a coup for the third time in the country.

During the Zia era (1977-1988), the relationship between Pakistan and the United
States underwent significant shifts and complexities. Here’s an overview:

1. **Initial Isolation and Discord**: Initially, Pakistan found itself isolated on the
international stage due to the military coup that brought Zia to power. Jimmy
Carter’s administration leaned towards India, which strained relations with Pakistan.

2. **Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan**: The turning point came with the Soviet invasion
of Afghanistan in 1979. The United States, under President Carter initially, and later
under President Reagan, saw an opportunity to counter Soviet influence in the
region. Pakistan, particularly its intelligence service ISI, became a crucial partner in
the covert operation to support Afghan mujahideen fighters against the Soviet
forces.
 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

in the largest covert Pakistan armed and supplied anti-Soviet fighters in

Afghanistan, eventually defeating the Soviets, who
Withdrew in 1988.

3. **Financial and Military Aid**: In exchange for its cooperation in the Afghan war
effort, Pakistan received significant financial and military aid from the United States,
totaling $3.2 billion over six years. This aid package was vital for Pakistan’s economy
and military capabilities during this period.

4. **Tensions over Nuclear Program**: Despite the close alliance during the Afghan
war, tensions arose over Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions. The United States was
concerned about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program and human rights abuses
under the Zia regime. This led to restrictions on aid and military deals, such as the
freezing of the F-16 fighter jet deal due to objections related to Pakistan’s nuclear
program.

5. **Incidents of Violence**: The relationship was also marred by incidents of violence,

such as the burning of the American embassy in Islamabad by Pakistani students in
1979. This event further strained diplomatic ties between the two countries. The
students were enraged by a radio report claiming that the United States had bombed
the Masjid al-Haram, Islam’s holy site in Mecca. This report fueled the students’
belief that the US was involved in actions deemed offensive to Islam.

Musharraf – 9/11 and beyond – partners in the fight against Terrorism

General Musharraf took control of Pakistan during a time of economic crisis, where the
currency was losing value, foreign reserves were low, and corruption had damaged the
country’s infrastructure. Pakistan struggled to establish stable politics and sustainable
development even decades after gaining independence. The United States feared Pakistan
could become a “failed state” due to its economic woes and worried about its nuclear and
missile programs falling into the wrong hands. To prevent this, the US administration
supported Musharraf’s regime to maintain stability and prevent Islamist groups from taking
over.

9/11 changed the nature of US – Pakistan relations once again. Terrorists supported by
Osam Bin Ladin’s organization had executed successful attacks in New York and Washington
in September 2001. The US President George Bush asked the world to make a clear choice
to side with the US with the slogan “you are with us or against us”. President Musharraf’s
regime, which was previously a supporter and backer of the Taliban regime since its
inception, made a U-turn and
Sided with the US in its war against terrorism. Siding with the US, Musharraf betted that the
decision would result in improving foreign aid and support from World Bank and IMF on the
one hand and US support for Pakistan’s cause for Kashmir on the other. After the September
11, 2001 attacks in the United States of America, Pakistan became a key ally in the war on
terror with the United States. However, US$5 billion earmarked to train the Pakistani army
in counter terrorism were instead spent on unrelated military purposes. On the Kashmir
front, however, not much progress has been made

Here follows the chronology of six US military aid suspensions:

1) The first time when the US suspended its military aid to Pakistan was during the
1965 Pak-India War. Even though the United States suspended military assistance to
both the neighbours at daggers drawn with each other, the suspension of aid affected
Pakistan much more adversely.

Gradually, relations improved and arms sales to Pakistan were renewed in 1975. It is
noteworthy that between 1954-1965, Pakistan had managed to receive $50 million in
military grants, $19 million in defence support assistance and $5 million in cash or
commercial purchases.

2) During the 1971 Pakistan-India War, the US again suspended its military aid to Pakistan,
the second time in just six years. In 1972, US President Nixon visited China for the first
time,marking the beginning of a process of normalisation of the estranged Sino-American
[Link] the historic visit was facilitated by Pakistan, the US resumed limited financial
aid to Pakistan as a ‘reward.’

3) In April 1979, the United States cut off its military assistance to Pakistan, except food
assistance, as required under the Symington Amendment. This time the suspension resulted
due to Washington’s concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear programme. It is pertinent to note
that during this period, Pakistan had managed to construct a uranium enrichment facility.

In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The US offered $400 million
worth of military aid, which was however rejected by Pakistan as inadequate. In 1981, the
US again offered a package of military aid worth $1.5 billion, which was accepted. During
the five years that followed after the influx of this aid, the US provided 40 F-16 fighters, 100
M-48 tanks, 64M-109 155 mm SP howitzers, 40 M-110 203mm SP howitzers, 75 towed
howitzers and 1,005TOW anti-tank missile system, all of which enhanced Pakistan’s defence
capability substantially.

The aid rose from around $60 million in economic and development assistance in 1979 to
more than $600 million a year in the mid-1980s. In total, the United States gave $2.19
billion in military assistance from 1980 till 1990. The military aid was in addition to the $3.1
billion economic assistance for Pakistan.

4) As soon as the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan in 1990, US military aid was again
suspended under the provisions of the Pressler Amendment. The US imposed curbs on all
economic and military aid to Pakistan. The Larry Pressler-proposed Amendment required the
then US president to certify to the Congress that Pakistan did not possess nuclear weapons.
However, in 1995, the Brown Amendment authorized a one-time delivery of US military
equipment worth $368 million. However, no fewer than 28 F-16 aircraft costing $658 million
were not delivered to Pakistan, despite the fact that Islamabad had paid for them well in
advance.

5) The Pak-US relations underwent a severe blow with Pakistan’s nuclear tests and the
ensuing sanctions in 1998. A presidential visit scheduled for the first quarter of 1998 was
postponed and, under the Glenn Amendment, sanctions restricted the provision of credits,
military sales,economic assistance and loans to Pakistan.

6) The ouster of premier Nawaz Sharif in 1999 in a military coup led by General Pervez
Musharraf gave the US government another reason to invoke fresh sanctions under Section
508 of the Foreign Appropriations Act, which included restrictions on foreign military
financing and economic assistance. The assistance was thus restricted to refugee and
counter-narcotics assistance only. Aid to Pakistan dropped dramatically from 1991 to 2000
to a paltry $429 million

In economic funding and $5.2 million in military assistance.

Currently:

Currently, the relationship between the United States and Pakistan encompasses several key
aspects:

1. **Economic ties**: The United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market and
a significant source of investment. This economic relationship is crucial for Pakistan’s
economic growth and stability.

2. **Security partnership**: Pakistan is designated as a major non-NATO ally of the

United States, indicating a significant security partnership. However, the strategic
focus of this partnership has been impacted by the U.S. withdrawal from
Afghanistan. The evolving security situation in the region has prompted adjustments
in the strategic priorities of both countries.

3. **People-to-people connections**: There is a large Pakistani diaspora in the United

States, contributing to cultural exchange and strengthening bonds between the two
nations. Additionally, educational exchange programs foster mutual understanding
and collaboration in various fields.

Conclusion
Despite a history of ups and downs, the US-Pakistan relationship remains significant. While
security concerns and Pakistan’s nuclear program have caused tensions, the US remains a
vital partner in economics and continues to cooperate with Pakistan on counter-terrorism
and other issues.