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Chp# 16 Foreign Relations of Pakistan

 Pakistan and India
Q: What has been the importance of the Siachen Glacier to both India
and Pakistan? (4)
Ans. Siachen Glacier is located in the northern mountains in Kashmir at the ill-
defined Pak-
India border. The Indian Colonel Kumar had climbed it in 1977 to establish
Indian posts there. Pakistan detected Indian presence in the region after his
return in [Link] sent its soldiers who found 300 Indian troops already
stationed there. Both armies now established their posts, and the Pakistan
army could not remove the Indian troops despite a number of armed conflicts
including the one led by Pervez Musharraf in 1987. Benazir Bhutto visited the
glacier in 1989 to reiterate Pakistan’s claim to it. About 3,000-5,000 troops
were killed during the clashes or by [Link] countries held talks several
times without a success.
Q: Why did Pakistan distrust India so much between 1971 and 1988? (7)
Ans. India was instrumental in the creation of Bangladesh. It had trained and
equipped the militant Mukti Bahini against Pakistan. After the 1971 war, more
than 90,000 Pakistani troops were taken as captives by India. Z.A. Bhutto signed
the Simla agreement with Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1972. She agreed to release the
captives on the condition of negotiating the Kashmir issue bilaterally, without
involving a third party like the UNO.
This angered Pakistan that wanted the UN intervention in the Kashmir issue.
India conducted its nuclear experiment in Rajasthan in 1974. Pakistan was
shocked as this act of India had threatened the peace and strategic balance in the
South Asian region. It raised real fears about its security after its neighbour had
acquired a nuclear capability. Bhutto retaliated by delivering an impassioned
speech in which he declared that the people of Pakistan would develop nuclear
capacity even though they had to
eat grass.
In the 1980s, Indian presence in the Siachen Glacier region and the Khalistan issue
also disturbed the relations between the two states. Both wanted to capture the
Siachen Glacier but were unsuccessful. India accused Pakistan of supporting the
militant Sikhs who wanted Eastern Punjab to be an independent state, the
Khalistan. Relations became more tensed when the Indian PM Mrs. Indira Gandhi
was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguard in 1984. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi blamed
Pakistan for this tragic murder.

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Q: How successful were the relations of India and Pakistan from 1947 to
1999? Explain in detail. 14
Ans: Successes:
Relations with India improved in 1949. Liaqat Nehru pact was signed to protect
the rights of minorities. The two leaders agreed that each country would provide
protection and religious freedom for the religious [Link] movement of
refugees across the border was restricted and a visa system for the refugees was
[Link] agreement resulted into normalization of relations after
independence.
Indus water treaty: In 1960 India and Pakistan agreed to solve the long standing
canal water dispute with the help of world Bank, the government of Ayub Khan
was successful in signing Indus water treaty . Three eastern rivers Ravi, Sutlaj and
Beas were given to India while the signing if IWT helped in improving relations
which were deteriorated due to this dispute.
Both countries accepted the mediatory role of the USSR for a peace agreement
after the 1965 war. Accordingly, the Tashkent Accord was signed in the Soviet city
of Tashkent. Z.A. Bhutto visited New Delhi and persuaded the Indian PM Mrs.
Indra Gandhi to strike a peace deal about the release of more than 90,000 POWs
(Prisoners of War) that had been in the Indian custody after the fall of East
Pakistan on 16 December 1971. Both PM’s signed the Simla Agreement in July
1972 and agreed to resolve all bilateral issues without involving a third party (the
UNO etc.). All the Pakistani POWs were released gradually.
1989 Fourth SAARC summit conference was held in Pakistan which was attended
by Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Earlier in 1984 relations were deteriorating
due to sikh insurgency of killing Indra Gandhi by her Sikh body guard ,now in
SAARC both leaders Benazir and Rajiv recovered their country’s relations and
differences. Three peace treaties were signed with India which played an
important role in improving relations for a short period of time.
1998 Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Wajpai visited Pakistan . Nawaz Sharif tried
to end hostility and promoting peace in these talks and signed “Lahore Accord or
Lahore declaration” .A bus service was initiated between the two countries
through Wahgah border and was named as “Dosti Bus Service” as a token of
friendship.
Failures:
However, several setbacks thwarted the attempts of having peaceful relations
with India. The Indian government had not acknowledged the creation of Pakistan
and created serious difficulties for the newly created state. Millions of Muslims
were forced to migrate to Pakistan. India delayed the release of financial and

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military assets to Pakistan and closed the two headworks in Indian Punjab to
create serious shortage of water for Pakistan. The issue persisted throughout the
1950’s.
Both countries had their first war on Kashmir in 1948 as a result of which the
state of Kashmir was divided into the IHK (Indian Held Kashmir) and the Azad
Kashmir. India never fulfilled the promise of holding a plebiscite/referendum in
the disputed state of Kashmir and that aggravated hostility between the two
countries. The second war on Kashmir was fought in September 1965 in which
neither country was successful. Ayub had expected a massive Kashmiri uprising
but it did not happen. The Indians had planned to occupy Lahore but that dream
too was shattered.
The third Indo-Pak war was fought in December 1971 in the East Pakistan. The
Indian army had been training and equipping the militant Bengali separatists, the
Mukti Bahini (the liberation force) and therefore, the Pakistan army failed to get
the local support and lost the War. More than 90,000 Pakistani officers and
soldiers became Indian captives. Only two years after the signing of the Simla
Accord, India conducted its nuclear experimentation in the Rajasthan desert in
1974. The Pakistani PM Mr. [Link] threatened to retaliate, and the relations
began to deteriorate.
In the 1980’s, Pakistan detected the presence of the Indian army on the Siachin
Glacier and this led to a series of small skirmishes though the war was never
declared. Similarly, in the early 1980’s the Indian Sikhs started the Khalistan
Movement demanding the separation of the Indian Punjab as an independent
state. The Indian army was used to suppress the movement and the Zia’s
government was accused of supporting and training the Sikhs. When Mrs. Indra
Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguard, her son Rajiv Gandhi blamed
Pakistan for this, and he received Gen. Zia without any warmth on his visit to India
for attending the funeral rites of Indira Gandhi.
A large scale uprising by the Kashmiri Muslims in 1989 once again worsened the
Pak India relations. The uprising got stronger throughout the 1990’s. In May 1998,
both countries blasted nuclear bombs and declared themselves as the nuclear
states. This took the disturbed relations to their peak. Then in April 1999 the
Kashmiri Muslim guerrillas crossed the LOC and occupied the towns of Kargil and
Drass in the IHK. Pakistan initially showed ignorance about the development but
soon it mobilized its army in the region. The Indian army launched a counter
attack and finally, in June 1999 Pakistani forces began to withdraw on the
pressure of the USA.

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Analyzing in an unbiased way, it may be concluded that the Pak-India relations

have been a failure mainly because of the lack of sincerity shown by various
governments and the Indian dream of becoming the policeman of the South Asian
region. India never accepted the creation of Pakistan and has been delaying the
resolution of the Kashmir issue since 1947.

 Pakistan____USA relations

Q: What was Pressler Amendment 1985? 4

Ans: The US congress proposed a halt to US aid towards Pakistan, if Pakistan
possessed nuclear capability. It was not actioned till 1990, after the defeat of
USSR in Afghanistan and had a damaging effect on US Pakistan relations in 1990’s.
while earlier Ronald Reagan elected US president ignored this amendment and
gave Pakistan huge amounts of economic and military aid .They sold Pakistan
their new fighter bomber aircraft , the F-16 which could also be used against
India. In 1986 an American aid package worth $ 4.2 billion made Pakistan the
third largest recipient of US aid after Israel and Egypt. After USSR’s defeat in
Afghanistan in 1990 Pakistan’s importance to the Americans declined and this
pressler amendment applied as George W. Bush refused to make the certification
required under the pressler amendment ,and assisstence to Pakistan was
subsequently terminated. Further the supply of F-16 jet fighters was also stopped
for which Pakistan had already paid $ 650 million to the US.
Q: What was “ The Thaw”? 4 or
What was Brown Amendment?
Ans: In January 1995 American Defence Secretary William Perry visited Pakistan
on behalf of Bill Clinton ,who wanted to restore relation with Pakistan and who
declared Pressler amendment as an unfair treatment and suggested if Pakistan
stopped producing weapon grade uranium ,he would reassure the delivery of
remaining F-16. As a result ,in 21at September 1995 the US Senate under Clinton
administration passed Brown amendment to lessen its negative [Link]
Bhutto visited the USA in 1996 and following that visit, the brown amendment
authorized the US government to reimburse Pakistan for the F-16 payment and
provide $ 388 million in military equipment. The Thaw in the relations was further
highlighted when first lady Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea visited
Pakistan in 1996.

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Q: Why did being a nuclear power create difficulties for Pakistan in the 1980s
and 1990s? (7)
Ans: Pakistan had started its nuclear programme in the 1970s but the world
powers began to object to it. Pakistan was pressurized to sign the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1980 but Pakistan subjected its acceptance to India
doing the same. Benazir Bhutto defended Pakistan’s nuclear programme in her
speech in the US Congress as she could not rick disturbed relations with the US.
The US had started extending generous military aid to Pakistan after the Soviet
invasion on Afghanistan in December 1979. However, after 1985 this aid was
stopped under the Presslar Amendment. Under this the US aid could be given to a
country that the American President declared as a non-nuclear state. By pointing
to Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions, the promised economic aid of $ 4 million was
stopped.
The stoppage of the aid adversely affected Pakistan as it had been supporting the
US in its war against the Soviets through the Afghan Mujahideen. Pakistan had
paid money to buy 28 F-16 war planes from the US who suddenly refused to
deliver the planes as well as return the paid money. Pakistan was the third largest
recipient of the US aid, and the promised package was to run until 1993. This led
to a significant deterioration of relations between the two countries, and many
economic development projects of Pakistan were suspended.
In the early 1990s, Pakistan’s importance for the US decreased after the Soviet
withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the Cold War. In 1992, the US was
about the declare Pakistan as state sponsor of terrorism and place economic
sanctions on it. Pakistan protested on this by pointing towards India who too had
been more ambitious of acquiring nuclear weapons. It also reminded the US of its
support in the 1990 Gulf War but the US continued to condemn Pakistan’s nuclear
ambition. Finally, when Pakistan conducted nuclear blasts in May 1998, after India
had taken the initiative the same month. Pakistan, however, faced more serious
consequences. Many countries stopped economic and military aid to it including
Japan, the US and the UK. This led to Pakistan facing economic difficulties, and the
Sharif government had to declare a financial emergency, take fresh loans and
freeze the foreign currency accounts of several Pakistanis in the local banks.

Q: How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with the USA between 1947
and 1999? (14)
Ans: Successes:

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Pak-US relations have been generally successful. In 1947, at the time of creation
of Pakistan, the USA was engaged in the Cold War, a state of hostility between the
USA and the USSR/now Russia. It was busy in the anti-Soviet alliances in various
parts of the world. It, therefore, took some years for the USA to recognize the
geo-political importance of Pakistan. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan
changed his plan to visit Moscow, and flew to Washington in 1950. This laid the
basis of the Pak-USA relations. Throughout the 1950’s Pakistan received military
and economic aid from the USA and joined the US-sponsored anti-
Soviet/communist regional military blocs of the SEATO (South East Asian Treaty
Organization) and the CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) to counter the Soviet
in the South East Asia and the Middle East, in 1954 and 1955. Under the Mutual
Defence Assistance Agreement in May 1954 and some other agreements heavy
aid was granted to Pakistan.
In the late 1950’s, Ayub Khan allowed the USA to build air bases in Pakistan to
conduct espionage on the Soviets. After the 1965 Pak-India war, the US aid was
gradually restored but the warmth of relations was visibly reduced.
1979 onwards, there was remarkable improvement in relations after the Soviet
attack on Afghanistan. Pakistan assumed great importance for the USA who
extended heavy military and economic aid to Pakistan so that it could help the
Afghan Mujahideen against the Soviets and accommodate millions of Afghan
refugees. Zia’s government in 1981, received and aid of $1.6 billion and a further
1.5 billion Pound Sterling loan at low interest rate to buy modern American
weapons.
In 1986, $4.2 billion military and economic aid was given. Thus, after Israel and
Egypt, Pakistan became the 3rd largest recipient of American aid. After the end of
the Afghan war, Benazir Bhutto visited the USA in June 1989 to try to improve
relations.
Nawaz Sharif’s visits to Washington 1991-1992, were attempts to convince the US
about the peaceful nuclear program of Pakistan. President Bill Clinton tried to
restore relations by opposing the Pressler Amendment that had stopped aid to
Pakistan. In January 1995 the Defence Secretary, William Perry visited Pakistan
and promised aid. Benazir Bhutto visited the USA in 1996 and, under the Brown
Amendment, many sanctions were lifted and a package of $388 million military
aid was given to Pakistan. In 1996 Mrs. Hilary Clinton visited Pakistan to further
improve relations.
Failure:

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However, there were many failures in the relations. 1947-1950 the US attitude
was cold towards Pakistan. In the 1962 India-China war, American aid to India
disappointed Pakistan. Ayub’s visits to Beijing and Moscow in the 1960’s greatly
offended the Americans. In the wars of 1965 and 1971, the US aid to Pakistan was
stopped. Pakistan also could not receive any aid from the SEATO and CENTO
because they could only help Pakistan in case of attack by a communist state (the
USSR).
Z.A. Bhutto’s visible pro-Soviet and pro-China policies also damaged the Pak-USA
relations. Despite his visit to Washington in 1972, he could not get any aid. The US
also criticized Bhutto’s threat to develop nuclear weapons in 1974. Bhutto blamed
the USA for supporting the anti-Bhutto campaign of 1977.
In Nov. 1979, during Zia’s government, the US Embassy in Islamabad was burned
by an angry mob. The US accused Zia of supporting the mob. Under the Geneva
Accord of 1988, the USSR agreed to withdraw from Afghanistan. This suddenly
reduced Pakistan’s importance for the USA.
Under various laws, the US aid was stopped and objections were raised about
Pakistan’s nuclear programs. Senator Larry Pressler in 1991 warned Pakistan to
take steps against the growth of fundamentalism (extremism in Muslims).
In 1996, the US objected to China’s plan to supply M-11 missiles to Pakistan. In
the late 1990’s, the issue of Taliban and Nawaz Sharif’s refusal to hand over
Usama bin Laden to the USA damaged the relations. In May 1998, Pakistan’s
nuclear blasts shocked the USA and all aid was stopped to Pakistan.
It may be concluded that the relations were generally successful because of
Pakistan’s strategic location in South Asia and its keenness to promote the
American interests in the region for the sake of maintaining a balance of power by
countering the Indian dream of becoming the policeman in the region.

 Pakistan-USSR/Soviet Union Relations

Q: Describe Pakistan’s involvement in the U-2 crisis. (4)
Ans. Pakistan had allowed the US to use its air bases for espionage against the
USSR. U2, a spy plane, was caught by the Soviets in 1960. On inquiry its pilot
Francis Gary Powers admitted that the plane had been launched from an air base
in Peshawar. The Soviets felt angry on this and threatened Pakistan of dire
consequences including a military action. It asked Pakistan not to let Americans
use its air bases for any similar espionage operation. This incident shows the close

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relations of Pakistan with the US. However, this also became a reason for
improving its relations with the USSR.
Q) How successful was Pakistan’s relationship with the USSR between 1947 and
1999? Explain your answer? (14)
Ans. Successes:
Pakistan tried to establish good relations with the USSR after gaining
independence though circumstances proved otherwise. The USSR being very close
to Pakistan’s neighbourhood via Afghanistan, first established the diplomatic
relations in May 1948. It invited PM Liaqat Ali Khan to visit Moscow, and Liaqat
was about to leave for Moscow when he received another invitation from
Washington.
In 1961 Soviets offered oil exploration in Pakistan after the 1960 U-2 incident.
Soviets had captured the American spy plane U-2 that had been launched from
Peshawar. Moreover, in the 1962 Sino-India/China-India war the USA extended
aid to India against China without informing Pakistan. For these reasons Ayub
Khan decided to improve relations with the USSR. In 1963 Soviet Union extended
a loan of 11 million Sterling Pounds to Pakistan. In 1963, it changed its previous
policy of supporting India and adopted a neutral stance over the Kashmir issue. In
April 1965 Ayub paid an official visit to the USSR and signed a number of
agreements on trade and oil explorations.
After the end of the 1965 war, the Soviet Union mediated between Pakistan and
India to reach a peace agreement. Accordingly, the Tashkent Accord was signed in
January 1966. The Pakistani government admired the Soviet efforts in this regard.
In 1968 when the Americans decided to close their airbase at Peshawar, the USSR
began to supply arms to Pakistan. Thus Pakistan became a unique country by
receiving trilateral aid from the USA, the USSR and China. Z.A. Bhutto had
communist and socialist views. He was able to improve relations with the USSR
significantly.
In 1972, he visited Moscow and persuaded the Soviets to help Pakistan build a
steel mill near Karachi, the PSM (Pakistan Steel Mill). Relations remained friendly
till the fall of [Link] 1977.
After the Geneva Accord of 1988 the Soviet army began to leave Afghanistan.
After 2-3 years, the USSR became the Russian Federation.
The Russian Vice President Mr. Rutskoy visited Islamabad in 1991 to start friendly
relations with Pakistan. Russia needed Pakistan’s help to restore peace in
Afghanistan. Then in 1993 Mr. A.V. Kozyrev, another important official visited
Pakistan. In April 1999 Nawaz Sharif visited Moscow and in return a Russian

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delegation visited Islamabad. In June 1999 the Russian President Boris Yelstin
appealed to India and Pakistan to end the Kargil conflict.
Failure:
However, both countries had many failures, too. In 1950, Liaqat’s decision to visit
Washington instead of Moscow, disappointed the USSR. In retaliation, the USSR
continued to support India on the Kashmir issue in the 1950’s. During the same
time period, Pakistan further displeased the Soviets by joining the US-sponsored
military blocs of the SEATO and CENTO. India as a result began to receive Soviet
aid. Pakistan rejected the Soviet offer of oil exploration in 1956.
In 1959-60, the Soviets captured the American spy plane U-2 and found out that
it had been launched from Peshawar airbase. The Soviet President issued a
serious threat to Pakistan. It was also unhappy over Pakistan’s involvement in the
US-China diplomatic relations in 1970-71. It signed an agreement with India and
kept China from helping Pakistan in the 1971 war.
December 1979 onwards relations with the USSR remained strained due to
Pakistan’s direct involvement in the Afghan war. Pakistan’s ISI (Inter Services
Intelligence) was accused of training and arming the Afghan Mujahideen with the
help of the USA. Therefore, General Zia was received in a cold way when he
visited Moscow in 1984 to attend the funeral of the Russian President Andropov.
Pakistan also boycotted the Moscow Olympics 1980.
After the breakup of the USSR, there was no remarkable improvement in
relations. Russia was unhappy over Pakistan’s support for some groups of the
Afghan Mujahideen in the 1990’s. India was given several Russian-manufactured
Mirage2000 aircrafts that India used during the Kargil conflict. Russia also
objected to Pakistan’s nuclear policy and the nuclear blasts of May 1998.
If viewed objectively, Pak-USSR relations have not been successful mainly due to
Pakistan’s opposition to the atheistic communist ideology and economic policy of
the Soviets. Pakistan was also opposed to the Soviet expansionist designs in sharp
contrast to a non-expansionist China.

 Pakistan’s Relations with Great Britain and the Commonwealth

Q: How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with Great Britain and the
Commonwealth between 1947 and 1999? Explain your answer. (14)
Ans: Pakistan maintained good relations with Great Britain and the
Commonwealth. After independence in 1947, the British provided Jinnah with
help at the top levels of both the military and the civil service. There were many

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senior British officers like General Douglas Gracy in the Pakistan army to train
them along modern lines. It also gave financial and technical aid and advice to
cope with the difficulties. Pakistan chose to remain a member of the
Commonwealth as it was now a British dominion (being independent but
recognizing the British Emperor as technical head of state).
In a Commonwealth meeting in 1950 in Colombo, the Colombo Plan was set up
to extend aid to Pakistan. It also provided one million Sterling Pounds for the Sui
gas project. Canada gave $ 40 million for the development of railways. In 1954-55
Pakistan and Britain agreed to work together as members of SEATO and CENTO.
Britain played key role in ending the 1965 war.
Then during the Afghanistan crisis, Britain supported Pakistan. British PM Mrs.
Margaret Thatcher was the first Western leader to visit Pakistan in 1981 during
the Afghan war. An aid of 30 million Sterling Pounds was given to Pakistan to
accommodate the Afghan refugees. Another aid of 16 million Sterling Pounds was
given to help refugees in Balochistan and KPK.
During the 1980’s Britain remained a major trading partner of Pakistan, with an
estimated 376 million Sterling Pounds worth a trade between the two countries
by 1986. Benazir Bhutto rejoined the Commonwealth in 1989 as the military rule
of Zia had ended in 1988. In the 1990’s both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif
continued to pay visits to Great Britain to strengthen mutual relations.
Pakistan has been an active participant in the Commonwealth Games. The Queen
of England visited Pakistan on 14th August 1997 to attend the Golden Jubilee
ceremony of the creation of Pakistan. She was accorded very warm welcome.
Presence of a sizeable Pakistani population in England has also played an
important role in improving the relations. Some of these Pakistanis managed to
get elected in the British Parliament.
Failures: However, relations between the two states have witnessed failures too.
Many Pakistani army officers were not happy with the British officers in their
ranks and some of them unsuccessfully tried a military coup in 1951. Pakistani
government also had reservations about the Radcliffe Award as some Muslim
majority districts in Punjab had been given to India. British failure to resolve the
Kashmir dispute was also a setback for the relations. In 1956, the British attack on
the Suez Canal in Egypt was criticized by Pakistan.
Relations were also affected when Pakistan could not receive any aid from SEATO
and CENTO in the wars of 1965 and 1971. When Great Britain recognized the
Republic of Bangladesh, Pakistan left SEATO and the Commonwealth. Z.A.
Bhutto’s inclination towards the communist and socialist states of the USSR and

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China was not liked by Great Britain. When death sentence was awarded to
Bhutto, Britain did not pressurize Zia for an amnesty to Bhutto though Bhutto
expected this from his friend Mr. James Callaghan, the British Foreign Minister.
In the 1990’s, Great Britain, like the USA continued to express its concerns over
Pakistan’s nuclear program. When Pakistan conducted nuclear blasts in May
1998, Britain and the Commonwealth stopped aid to Pakistan.
Looking objectively, it may be concluded that Pakistan’s relations with Great
Britain and the Commonwealth have been quite successful because of good trade
relations and British interest in investing in various development projects of
Pakistan.

 Pakistan and Afghanistan Relations

Q) However successful was Pakistan in its relationship with Afghanistan
between 1947 and 1999? Explain your answer. (14)
[Link]:
Pakistan tried to improve relations with Afghanistan right from the beginning.
Mr. Jinnah ordered the removal of troops from the old British military posts along
Pak Afghan border. He hoped that Afghanistan would see this as a move of
friendship and trust. He held official talks in Karachi in 1947 to discuss the
Pakhtoonistan issue with the Afghan government. In these talks, Pakistan
suggested that if Afghanistan dropped the demand for Pakhtoonistan, it might
provide Afghanistan access to the Arabian sea.
In 1956, President Iskandar Mirza visited Kabul after an attack on the Pakistan
embassy to normalize the relations. Afghanistan adopted a neutral stance in the
1965 war despite the Soviet pressure on it to favour India.
[Link] visited Kabul shortly after his election and convinced the Afghan
government to attend the second OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference)
summit in Lahore. He also held talks with the Afghan head Sardar Daud and
granted Afghan traders access to India through Pakistan. An agreement was also
signed, called the ATTA (Afghan Transit Trade Agreement). Pakistan also extended
aid after an earthquake in Afghanistan in 1976. The same year Bhutto and Sardar
Daud exchanged visits to Kabul and Islamabad. Several rounds of talks were held
with the help of the Shah of Iran who was sincere to promote friendly relations
between the two neighbouring states.
General Zia paid a visit to Kabul in 1977 after which Sardar Daud visited Islamabad
in March 1978 in order to strengthen ties with Pakistan. After this there was a

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serious political crisis in Afghanistan as a communist government took control. In

December 1979, the Soviet forces attacked Afghanistan. Pakistan, with the help of
the US aid, helped the Afghan Mujahideen. Pakistan generously accommodated
about three million Afghan refugees whose number continued to swell.
Mainly by the efforts of General Zia, a peace treaty was signed on 14 April 1988 at
Geneva (Switzerland), in a meeting attended by the USA, the USSR, Afghanistan,
Iran and Pakistan. Under this the Soviets agreed to gradually pull their forces out
of Afghanistan. Pakistan, unfortunately, became isolated after the Geneva Accord
but successive governments of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto continued to try
to have friendly relations with the post-war Afghan government.
Nawaz Sharif visited Kabul and tried to convince various factions of the
Mujahideen to end the civil war in Afghanistan. Accordingly, the six separate
factions signed the Islamabad Accord in February 1992. Afghanistan agreed to join
the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) along with the Central Asian
Republics. In May 1992, the Afghan President visited Pakistan and signed
important agreements.
During Benazir’s second term as PM, there was the rise of the Taliban in 1996.
She supported them because they were successfully establishing their rule in
several parts of Afghanistan. Her government provided military and financial
support to them and even sent a small army unit to help them, though later she
admitted her fatal mistake. In May 1997, Nawaz Sharif recognized the Taliban
government.
Failures:
Several failures halted the efforts of peaceful relations between Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Since 1947, Afghanistan has denied the Durand line as the natural
border with Pakistan. It always claimed that Pashto speaking areas of KPK to be its
part to make a distinct area Pakhtoonistan. Afghanistan opposed Pakistan’s
membership of the UNO in September 1947. It rejected Pakistan’s offer of
granting access to the Arabian Sea if it dropped the demand of Pakhtoonistan. An
angry Afghan mob attacked Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul and ransacked it.
Pakistan in return closed its border and cut off diplomatic ties for several months.
Afghanistan signed an agreement of transit trade with the USSR much to the
dismay of Pakistan. It also rejected Iskandar Mirza’s offers of peaceful relations in
1956 and later, refused to join the RCD in 1964. Instead of supporting the fellow
Muslim country, it adopted a neutral stance in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

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During the Afghan war the Afghan governments condemned Pakistan’s support
for the Afghan Mujahideen. The Afghan war planes bombarded many Pakistani
towns in KPK. After the Geneva Accord, various groups of Mujahideen and
governments criticized Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan affairs. The Rabbani
government backed out the Islamabad and the Peshawar Accords and a Pakistani
bus was highjacked by an Afghan group.
On the whole the relations have not been successful because of the complex
regional politics, a lack of sincerity in various governments of Afghanistan and the
Russian influence.

 Pakistan-China Relations
Q: How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with China between 1947 and
1999? (14)
Ans: Successes:
. Pakistan-China relations have been quite successful. Pakistan recognized the
post revolution communist regime under Mao Zedong in January 1950. It
supported China’s membership of the UN in 1952.
In the 1950’s there was no major breakthrough in relations but in March 1962,
Pakistan and china began to settle the border dispute on the GB-Tibet border.
China made many concessions in the border dispute in order to win Pakistan’s
support to counter declining relations with India and the USSR. The issue was fully
settled by March 1963. The 1962 Sino-India/China India war came as a blessing in
disguise for Pakistan. China began to extend heavy aid to Pakistan.
In 1963, a series of trade agreements were signed and a $60 million interest free
loan was given to Pakistan. China soon became the largest importer of raw cotton
from Pakistan and promised to help Pakistan in any war with India. In August
1963 the PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) began regular flights to China in
order to improve cultural and trade relations. In 1964 China declared its support
for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and in return, Pakistan supported China’s entry
to the UN Security Council much to the displeasure of the USA who was
supporting Taiwan (non-communist breakaway from China) as the legitimate ruler
of China.
During the 1965 Pak-India war, China applied diplomatic pressure on India and
extended moral and military aid to Pakistan including the T-59 tanks. Though
unable to help Pakistan in the 1971 war, China resumed support for Pakistan.

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In February 1972, [Link] visited China and sought heavy military and
economic aid. Pakistan built the HMC (Heavy Mechanical Complex) in Taxila with
the Chinese assistance.
During Zia’s regime the old Silk Route was remodeled as the KKH (Karakoram
Highway) in 1978. Then in 1986 Zia visited China and signed a nuclear co-
operation treaty with the Chinese government.
In 1964 China declared its support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and in return,
Pakistan supported China’s entry to the UN Security Council much to the
displeasure of the USA who was supporting Taiwan (non-communist breakaway
from China) as the legitimate ruler of China.
During the 1965 Pak-India war, China applied diplomatic pressure on India and
extended moral and military aid to Pakistan including the T-59 tanks. Though
unable to help Pakistan in the 1971 war, China resumed support for Pakistan.
In February 1972, [Link] visited China and sought heavy military and
economic aid. Pakistan built the HMC (Heavy Mechanical Complex) in Taxila with
the Chinese assistance. During Zia’s regime the old Silk Route was remodeled as
the KKH (Karakoram Highway) in 1978.
Then in 1986 Zia visited China and signed a nuclear co-operation treaty with the
Chinese government. Pakistan offered help to China in the Tiananmen Square
protests in 1989. In November 1989, Chinese PM Peng’s visit to Pakistan further
strengthened the relations.
During the first tenure of Nawaz Sharif as PM of Pakistan, he visited China in
February, 1991 and in the October 1991 Chinese President Mr. Shangkun visited
Pakistan. In the 1990’s China provided technical and material support for the
completion of the 300 MW Chashma Nuclear Power Complex and the plutonium
reprocessing facility. Both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif paid successful visits
to China and convinced China to invest in the Gawadar development project and
other similar schemes.
Failures:
However, there were some failures too. Throughout the 1950’s there was no
progress in improving relations. Pakistan was busy in solving its own problems
and, therefore, could not realize the importance of such a major neighbouring
country.
There was a continuous delay in initiating the talks for the border dispute and
that increased Pakistan’s concerns. In 1959 Pakistan voted against China’s
membership of the UNO and condemned the military action in Tibet, though
China did not react angrily.

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China could not help Pakistan in the 1971 war because of the Agreement of
Peace, Co-operation and Friendship between India and the USSR. This agreement
contained a threat to a country helping any state against India in a war.
In the 1990’s, the Cold War had ended and the USSR had broken up into
independent states. In this changing scenario China tried to improve relations
with India and other states. However, there was little progress in India-China
relations.
It may finally be concluded that Pak-China relations have been very successful
because of the growing common interests of the two countries. China’s long-term
plans to invest in various development schemes in Pakistan are the key factor in
maintaining friendly relations.

 Pakistan-Iran Relations
Q: How successful have Pakistan’s relations been with Iran between 1947 and
1999? (14)
Ans. Successes:
Both countries have enjoyed good relations. After the creation of Pakistan in
1947, Iran was the first country of the world to recognize Pakistan. This laid the
foundation of friendly relations.
Both countries joined the Baghdad Pact together with the UK. They retained their
membership of the Pact after Iraq left it in 1959 and it became known as CENTO.
In July 1964, largely as a result of the efforts of Ayub Khan, the RCD (Regional
Cooperation for Development) was founded that comprised Pakistan, Iran and
Turkey as its members. The RCD provided a platform to its members develop
closer trade links and help each other in industrial projects and strengthening the
cultural relations. The RCD Highway and the RCD Railway track were developed to
facilitate journey between the three states.
Iran and Turkey tried to persuade other countries to help Pakistan in the 1965
war, but had little success. Iran sent help to the Bhutto’s government in 1973 to
put down an uprising by the tribal chiefs in Balochistan.
In the 1980’s, General Zia tried to minimize the mistrust between Pakistan and
Iran. Pakistan made sincere efforts to end the Iran-Iraq war through the platform
of the OIC. Similarly, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif also tried to improve
relations with Iran. Pakistan’s relations with Turkey traditionally remained
friendly.

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In 1999, a free trade agreement was signed between the two countries. Pakistan
has been a major importer of oil from Iran.
Failures:
The Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, brought Ayat Ullah Khomeini as the Iranian
head of state and the Shah of Iran had to go into exile. The Sunni views of General
Zia ul Haq were in a visible clash with the staunch Shia views of Khomeini. As a
result the relations were adversely affected and the RCD gradually became
insignificant. It was revived as the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) but
the rapidly changing regional and global scenario kept it quite ineffective.
Then, the sectarian violence in Pakistan, mainly in the form of the Shia-Sunni
clashes in the 1980’s caused further deteriorations of relations. The anti-American
Khomeini strongly objected to Pakistan receiving heavy US aid during the Afghan
war.
In the 1990’s, both countries had sharp differences over the issue of the post-war
Afghanistan. Iran did not like Pakistan’s support for the extremist Taliban
government of Afghanistan. It objected to Pakistan’s continuous involvement in
the Afghan affairs.
The sectarian violence in Pakistan also contributed to a state of disturbed
relations between Pakistan and Iran.
It may be concluded that the relations between Pakistan and Iran have been
successful because of a common cultural and historic background as well as a
common geographical border. Urdu language has very close association with the
Persian and several Persian speaking dynasties have ruled the Indo-Pak
subcontinent for centuries.

 Pak-Bangladesh Relations
Q: How successful was Pakistan in its relations with Bangladesh between 1971
and 1999? 14
Ans. Bangladesh remained East Pakistan from August 1947 to December 1971.
Pakistan took some years to recognize the Democratic Republic of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Mujeeb ur Rahman, the first head of Bangladesh withdrew the bans on
some pro-Pakistan organizations that had operated before its independence. He
was invited by Z.A. Bhutto to attend the second OIC summit that was held in
Lahore in February 1974. He was accorded a warm welcome and Pakistan
recognized Bangladesh the same day. In June 1974 Bhutto visited Bangladesh and
paid homage to Bangladesh’s war memorial at Savar Upazila. He tried to reach an

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agreement with Sheikh Mujeeb in 1975 for the division of assets. Mujeeb asked
Bhutto to agree to give Bangladesh over half of Pakistan’s pre-1971 external
reserves but Bhutto rejected this demand. Mujeeb also inisisted that Pakistan
take all non-Bengalis left scattered in Bangladesh after the 1971 war. They were
the Muslims who had migrated from India in 1947, mainly from the neighbouring
Indian province of Bihar. Bhutto also rejected it as unreasonable. In 1975-76 both
countries appointed ambassadors, and signed an agreement to cooperate on
trade, tourism and the media.
Relations began to improve in the 1980’s under the governments of Zia ur
Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Irshad in Bangladesh. General Zia ul Haq paid
visits to Bangladesh and signed a number of agreements to promote trade and
culture between the two states. In his visit to Bangladesh in 1985 and founded
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) with the help of his
Bangladeshi counterpart General Zia ur Rahman. He also visited the war memorial
and said, “Your heroes are our heroes.” By 1986, trade between the two countries
had reached a value of $40 million. In 1985 and 1988 Pakistan was the first
country to have sent aid to Bangladesh after it was hit by worst kind of floods.

When Benazir Bhutto came to power in 1988, she too used the SAARC platform to
promote friendly relations with Bangladesh. Many SAARC cultural exchange
programs were organized alongwith the SAF (South Asian Federation) Games.
Similarly, Nawaz Sharif also held meetings with the Bangladeshi Prime Ministers in
the SAARC conferences. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Ghulam Hyder Wayen,
accommodated some of the non-Bengali/Bihari refugees in Pakistan. In 1998, PM
Sheikh Hasina Wajid paid a goodwill visit to Pakistan.
As for failures, relations remained strained in the beginning as Pakistan
considered Bangladesh a traitor who had sought the Indian aid for its liberation.
So, it was reluctant to recognize Bangladesh. For the same reason, Pakistan left
the Commonwealth and SEATO when Great Britain recognized it. Pakistan also
refused to accommodate the pro-Pakistan non-Bengali, mainly Biharis who had
migrated from India after independence, they were shifted to special camps by
the Bangladeshi government and forced to live a sub-human life in these camps.
Both countries failed to reach a mutually acceptable agreement for the
reallocation of the assets left in the two countries. Various governments of
Pakistan have also refused to extend an apology for what the Bangladeshi
government declares as war crimes. Pakistan army was accused of committing

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excesses against the Bengali population and Bangladesh has been asking Pakistan
to apologize for it.
On the whole, relations have been successful because with the passage of time
the wounds inflicted on the Bengali people during the 1971 war have started
healing. The platforms like the Commonwealth and the SAARC have also played
their role to bring the two countries closer to each other.

Q: Why did Pakistan support the Palestinian cause between 1947 and 1999? (7)
Ans. Pakistan had brotherly feelings for the Palestinian Muslims. In 1948, the
Quaid-i-Azam warned the USA of the consequences of partition of Palestine and
the creation of Israel. However, the state of Israel was created by displacing a
huge number of Palestinian Muslims, and this laid the foundation of Palestine-
Israel conflict. Since then both the Pakistani people and governments have
strongly supported the Palestine cause. Pakistan always condemned illegal
occupation of other states throughout the world in line with the UN objective of
promoting international peace.
In1967, an extremist Israeli tried to burn the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Following this, the Muslim countries held a summit conference in Rabat,
Morocco, in 1969. On Pakistan’s suggestion the OIC (Organization of Islamic
Conference) was set up, and its objective was to protect the rights of the Muslim
world, and especially the Palestininan Muslims. Pakistan, being an active member
of the OIC, considered the Israeli occupation of Palestine as totally unjustified. It
wanted the Palestinian Muslims to live in an independent state without any fear
of aggression by the other states.
After the Arab-Israel war in October 1973, Pakistan’s PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
convened the second summit of the OIC in Ferburary 1974 in Lahore. Yasser
Arafat, head of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) attended it along
with the other 35 heads of the Muslim states. They reaffirmed their opposition to
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands, and tried to draw the attention of the
world powers towards a peaceful settlement of this conflict. The summit
demonstrated the unity of the Muslim world for a common cause, and
importance of Pakistan as a strong supporter of the Palestine cause.

Pakistan as the Member of World Organizations

Q: Why did Pakistan joined the UNO in 1947? (7)

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Ans. Pakistan needed to be recognised as an important country. It was a newly

created country and needed recognition as a member seeking international
peace. On September 30, 1947, it joined the UNO to achieve the objective. Many
countries were struggling for independence during the early years of the Cold
War (1945-1990) and Pakistan took upon itself to be the spokesman of these
countries. For example, it spoke up against the occupation of Indonesia by
Holland, and supported the freedom movement of Morocco and Algiers. It also
took the Palestinian issue to the UN while condemning the illegal occupation of
Palestine by Israel.
India had created many difficulties for Pakistan soon after independence. It had
taken the Kashmir issue to the UN, in 1947, and persuaded India and Pakistan for
a ceasefire after the 1948 war. Pakistan wanted the UN to play its due role in a
permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue.
In order to deal with its economic difficulties, Pakistan needed the help of such
international monetary bodies as the World Bank because India had been
delaying the release of Pakistan’s share of economic assets. Pakistan’s
membership of the UNO became important when it began to mediate for
resolving the canal water dispute. With the help of the World Bank, the issue was
finally resolved in 1960 by the signing of the Indus Water Treaty.

Q: How successful has Pakistan been as a member of world organizations

between 1947 and 1999? (14)
Ans. Pakistan played active role as a member of many world organizations. It
joined the UNO in September 1947 to seek the UN help in resolving various
disputes with India and the problems of partition. It accepted the UN-mediated
peace and the LOC (Line of Control) after the 1948 war on Kashmir. It took the
Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council for its permanent solution in the 1950’s.
For example, it condemned the occupation of Indonesia by Holland. The World
Bank persuaded Pakistan and India to accept the Indus Water Treaty in 1960. It
also acted as the spokesperson for many Asian countries that were struggling for
independence in the 1950’s. It also raised the Palestine issue on the UN platform
and defended the Palestine cause. The UN also held Pakistan and India agree on
peace in the Tashkent Accord, 1966. It sent its troops to help the UN
peacekeeping forces in many countries including Somalia and Bosnia-
Herzegovina. Many UN organizations helped Pakistan in health, education and
population planning projects. They include, the WHO (World Health
Organization), the UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

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and the UNICEF (UN International Children Emergency Fund). The WFP (World
Food Program) and the UNHCR (UN High Commission for Refugees) helped
Pakistan in its economic development and the accommodation of the Afghan
refugees.
Unfortunately, the UN could not resolve the Kashmir issue mainly due to the veto
power of the five permanent members of the UNSC. [Link] was disappointed
by the UN role in the 1971 war as it asked Pakistan to stop fighting instead of
accepting the justice of Pakistan’s case. He, therefore, tore apart the UN
resolution. He was unhappy on the quick recognition of Bangladesh.
Pakistan joined the US-sponsored anti-communist military blocs of SEATO and
CENTO in 1954-55 alongwith Great Britain and the Muslim states of Iraq and
Turkey. This gave a sense of protection to Pakistan and improved its relations with
the member states. However, Egypt was unhappy on Pakistan joining these
bodies as the British had attacked the Suez Canal in 1956. Moreover, these blocs
refused to help Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971 as the aid was linked with
the attack of any communist state on Pakistan. Pakistan left SEATO in 1972.
Pakistan became a member of the Commonwealth after independence. It is a
club of Great Britain and its former colonies. Several development projects were
funded by the Commonwealth, and Pakistan actively participated the
Commonwealth Games. However, the membership depended on the
civil/democratic rule in Pakistan. Pakistan left the Commonwealth in 1972 when
Great Britain recognized Bangladesh. Pakistan could not rejoin it in the 1980’s due
to Zia’s military rule. However, it was able to join it in 1989 after Benazir Bhutto’s
civilian rule began.
Pakistan, Iran and Turkey founded the RCD (Regional Cooperation for
Development) in 1964. Several agreements were signed to promote trade and
cultural ties between the member states. The RCD Highway and the RCD Railways
were started to facilitate journey between the three states. After the Iranian
Revolution of 1980, the RCD gradually became insignificant but after some years it
was reorganized as the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) by adding the
Central Asian states and Afghanistan. However, Pakistan was not very successful
in making the ECO a very effective bloc mainly because of the disturbed relations
between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference/Countries) was founded after a failed
attempt by a lunatic Jew to burn the al-Aqsa Mosque in 1969. Pakistan became its
very active member and, [Link] organized its second summit in Lahore in
February 1974. Several agreements were signed and resolutions in favour of the

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Palestine cause were adopted. In the 1980’s, Pakistan struggled for an end of the
Iran-Iraq war through the platform of the OIC. Generally, however, Pakistan could
not mobilize the member states to work for the collective welfare of the Muslim
world because of the rivalry between various states.
With the efforts of Pakistan and Bangladesh, the SAARC (South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation) was founded in December 1985. Its aim was to
promote friendly relations between the seven countries of South Asia, specially
Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. SAARC cultural exchange programs and the SAF
Games have been its main features, but due to the Indo-Pak rivalry and the
grievances of Bangladesh against Pakistan have been the major stumbling blocks
in making it a successful body.
To conclude, Pakistan has been very successful as member of various world
organizations by supporting the UN objective of maintaining world peace and
playing a sincere role in making attempts to resolve various regional and global
conflicts. It has been recognized as an important Asian country that wants friendly
relations with other states.

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