International Relations of Pakistan

⮚ Relations with China

⮚ Relations with Britain & Commonwealth
⮚ Relations with Bangladesh
⮚ Relations with Afghanistan
⮚ Relations with Iran
⮚ Pakistan and Palestine
⮚ Relations and UN
⮚ Pakistan and International Organizations
 International Relations of Pakistan
Past Papers Questions

Questions:
1. How successful was Pakistan in its relations with China between
1947 and 1999? [14]
 
2. How successful was Pakistan in its relations with Britain and
Commonwealth between 1947 and 1999? [14]

3. How successful have relations between Pakistan and

Bangladesh been from 1971 to 1999? Explain your answer.
[10]
 International Relations of Pakistan
Past Papers Questions
4. How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with
Afghanistan between 1947 and 1999? [14]
5. How successful was Pakistan in its relations with Iran
between 1947 and 1999? [14]
6. Why has Pakistan supported the Palestinian cause? [7]
7. Why did Pakistan join UN in 1947? [7]
8. Why did Pakistan leave SEATO in 1972? [7]
9. How successful had Pakistan been as a member of
world organizations between 1947 and 1999? Explain
your answer. [14]
10. What is OIC? [4]
11.What is Karakoram Highway? [4]
12. What was the Afghan Miracle? [4]
13. Describe the Siachen Dispute. [4]
14. Describe the Pakhtoonistan issue. [4]
15. What is Commonwealth? [4]
Q: How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with China
between 1947 and 1999? Explain your answer.

Introduction
Pakistan recognized the post revolution communist regime under
Mao Zedong in January 1950. It supported China’s membership
of UN in 1952.
Successes:
In 1950 there was no significant development in the Pak-China
relations but in March 1962, both the countries started to settle
the border disputes on Gilgit-Biltistan and Tibet border. China
made many concessions in the border dispute to win the support
of Pakistan. The matter was finally resolved by March 1963.
The 1962 Indo-China 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 Pakistani raw cotton.
In 1963, PIA ( Pakistan International Airlines) started the regular
flights to China in order to improve cultural and trade relations
between the two countries.
In 1964 China declared its support for Pakistan on Kashmir issue
and in return Pakistan supported China’s entry to the Un Security
Council much to the displeasure of the USA. USA was supporting
Taiwan as the legitimate ruler of China.
During the Pakistan-India war of 1965, China applied diplomatic
pressure on India and provided military aid to Pakistan including T-
59 tanks.

In February 1972, Bhutto visited China and sought military and

economic aid. Pakistan built the HMC
( Heavy Mechanical Complex ) at Taxila with the assistance of
China.

During the regime of Zia, the ancient Silk Route was reconstructed
as the modern KKH ( Karakoram Highway )in 1978. In 1986
Pakistan and China signed a nuclear cooperation treaty.
Pakistan supported China in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.
In the same year Chinese Prime minister visited Pakistan. In 1991
both Pakistani and Chinese Prime Ministers exchanged a visit for the
improvement in the relations.
In the 1990s China provided technical aid material to support for the
completion of the 300 MW Chashmah Nuclear Power Complex
(CHASNUPP-I)

The economic ties further strengthened as China started investing

heavily in the development of Gwadar port and projects like
CHASHNUPP II, III, IV, V and CPEC, etc.
Less Successes
However, there some failures too.
Throughout the 1950s there was no significant progress in Pakistan-
China relations as Pakistan was busy in solving its own problems.
Therefore, Pakistan was not able to realize the importance of good
relations with a great neighbor like China.
In 1959, Pakistan voted against China’s membership of UN and
condemned the Chinese military action in Tibet. Though China did
not react angrily.
China was not able to help Pakistan in east Pakistan crisis in 1971
due the Agreement of Peace, Cooperation and Friendship with India
and USSR.
In the 1990s, the Cold War had come to end and USSR had become
Russia. In this changed situation China tried to improve relations
with larger economies like India. So, there was little progress in
Pakistan-china relations.

Conclusion
It may be concluded that Pakistan-China relations have been very
successful because of growing common interests of the two countries.
China’s long term projects and plans to invest in various
development schemes in Pakistan are the main factor for the
continuation of friendly and cordial relations between the two
countries.
What is Karakoram Highway? [4]

Pakistan and China started a joint project in 1966 to construct an

800 mile highway connecting the two countries. The project was
completed in 1978 by following the old Silk Route in China. It was
financed by China and built mainly by its engineer. It passes
through the dangerous highlands of Gilgit-Baltistan and enters
China through Khunjerab pass. Several thousand workers were
killed in its construction. Its connects Pakistani city of Hassan Abdal
with the Chinese city of Kashgar.
Describe the Siachen Dispute. [4]

Siachen glacier is the highest, toughest, coldest and most

expensive battle-ground on the Earth, where India and
Pakistan have been fighting since April 13, 1984. both
countries maintain permanent military presence in the
region at a height of over 6,000 meters (20,000 ft.). More
than 3,000 people have died in this inhospitable terrain,
mostly due to weather extremes and natural hazards.
What is Commonwealth? [4]
Commonwealth is an organization that consists of the states which
were the former colonies of the British Empire. The commonwealth
was founded in 1931 as the British Empire wanted to maintain the
economic ties and trading links with its former colonies. Pakistan
remained the member of the Commonwealth from 1947 to 1972 and
then from 1989 to this date. All the members of the Commonwealth,
despite their differences, cooperate in trade, culture, finance and
sports.
Q. How successful was Pakistan in its relations with Britain and
Commonwealth between 1947 and 1999? [14]

Pakistan maintained good relations with Britain and the

Commonwealth.
Successes:
After 1947 the British held Quaid at the top levels of both the military
and civil services. There were many senior British officers in the
Pakistan army to train them along the modern lines. Its also gave the
financial and technical aid to cope with the difficulties.
Pakistan chose to remain a member of the Commonwealth. In a
Commonwealth meeting 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
the railways.
In 1954-55 Pakistan and Britain agreed to work together as
the member of SEATO and CENTO. Britain played a key
role in ending 1965 war.
During the Afghanistan crisis, Britain supported Pakistan.
British PM Ms. 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 accommodate
the Afghan migrants. Another aid of 16 million Sterling
pounds was given to help refugees in Baluchistan and the
NWFP.
During the 1980s Britain remained a major trading partner
of Pakistan, with estimated 376 million Sterling pounds
worth trade between the two countries.
Benezir Bhutto rejoined the Commonwealth in 1989.
Pakistani prime ministers continued to pay visits to Britain
to strengthen the mutual relations.
The Queen of England visited Pakistan on 14 th August 1997
to attend the Golden Jubilee ceremony of the creation of
Pakistan.
Presence of sizeable Pakistani population has played an
important role in improving the relations. Some of the
Pakistani origin politicians have been elected in the English
parliament.
Less Successes
However, relations between the two states have witnessed
the failures too.
Many Pakistani officers were not happy with the presence
of British officers in the Pakistani army and some of them
unsuccessfully tried a military coup in 1951.
Pakistan government had also reservations about the
Boundary commission Award in which three Muslim
Districts were unjustly given to India.
British failure to resolve the Kashmir issue was also a set
back to the relations of Pakistan and Britain in 1950s .
In 1956, the British attack on Suez Canal was highly criticized by
Pakistan.
Relations became strained when Pakistan did not receive any
assistance from SEATO and CENTO during the wars of 1965 and
1971.
When Britain recognized Bangladesh, Pakistan left CENTO and the
Commonwealth as well.
Bhutto's inclination towards China and USSR was not liked by the
Britain.
In 1990s like USA, Britain continued to express its grave concerns
over the Nuclear programme of Pakistan. When Pakistan detonated
its Nuclear devices in 1998, Britain and Commonwealth stopped the
economic aid for Pakistan.
Conclusion
Looking objectively, it may be concluded , that
Pakistan’s relations with Britain and
Commonwealth have been successful because of
good trade relations and British interest in
investing various development projects in
Pakistan.
Q. How successful have relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh
been from 1971 to 1999? Explain your answer.

Bangladesh remains East Pakistan from August 1947 to December1971.

Pakistan took sometime to recognize the Democratic Republic of
Bangladesh.

Successes:

Mujeeb ur Rehman, , the first head of Bangladesh removed the

ban on some pro-Pakistan organization that have operated
before its independence.
Bhutto invited Mujeeb to attend the second Summit
Conference of OIC held at Lahore in February,1974. He
was given a warm welcome and Bangladesh was officially
recognized by Pakistan on the same day.
Bhutto visited Bangladesh in 1975 and tried to reach an
agreement for the division of the assets. The agreement was
signed it was decided that Bangladesh would receive half of
Pakistan’s pre-1971 external reserves.
Both the countries appointed ambassadors and signed an
agreement to cooperate in trade, tourism and the media.
Relations began to improve during the regime of Zia in 1980s.
Zia ul Haq visited Bangladesh and signed a number of
agreements to promote trade and cultural ties between the two
countries.
In his visit to Bangladesh in 1985, Zia ul Haq founded the
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
with the help of the Bangladeshi counterpart.
By 1986, trade between the two countries had reached a value of
$40 million.
In 1985 and 1988, Pakistan was the first country to sent aid to
Bangladesh after it was hit by severe kind of flooding.
When Benezir Bhutto came to power in 1988, she too used the
SAARC forum to promote friendly relations with Bangladesh. Many
SAARC cultural exchange prorammes were organized along with
the SAF (South Asian Federation) games. Similarly Nawaz Sharif
also held meeting with the Bangladeshi PM in the SAARC
conferences.
In 1998, Bangladeshi PM Hasina Wajid paid a goodwill visit to
Pakistan.
Failures
The relations remained strained in the beginning as Pakistan
considered Bengalis as traitors who had sought help from India for
liberation. For same reason Pakistan left Commonwealth and
CENTO when Bangladesh was recognized by Britain.
Pakistan also refused to accommodate the pro-Pakistan non
Bengalis, mainly Biharis who had migrated from India after the
independence of Bangladesh.
Both the countries failed to reach a mutually acceptable agreement
for the reallocation of the assets left in the two countries.
Various Pakistani governments have also refused to extend an
apology for what Bangladesh government declares as the war
crimes. Pakistan army was accused of committing atrocities against
the Bengali civilians during the war of 1971 and had been asking
Pakistan to apologize for it.
Conclusion
On the whole, relations have been successful because with
the passage of time the wounds inflicted on the Bengali
and Pakistani people in 1971 war have started healing.
Platforms like the Commonwealth, SAARC and SAF
have also played their role to bring the two countries
closer to each other.
Describe the Pakhtoonistan issue. [4]

Pakhtoonistan means the land of Pashtuns, the Pashto speaking

people that live in some parts of Afghanistan, KPK and Baluchistan.
Afghanistan has always rejected the ‘Durand Line’, border that was
demarcated in 1893. Afghanistan is an ardent supporter of
independence of this area since 1947. The idea of Pakhtoonistan was
proposed by Abdul Ghaffar Khan, commonly known as the Gandhi
of the NWFP as he was highly against the independence of Pakistan.
How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with
Afghanistan between 1947 and 1999? [14]

Pakistan had tried to improve relations with Afghanistan right after

independence. Quaid e Azam ordered the removal of all the old
British military post along the border of Afghanistan as a gesture of
goodwill and brotherhood.
Failures:
Since 1947 , Afghanistan has denied the Durand Line as the border
between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It always claimed that Pushto
speaking areas of the KPK to be its part to make a distinct area
‘Pakhtoonistan’.
Quaid e Azam held talks with the Afghan government at Karachi in
1947 to discuss the issue of ‘Pakhtoonistan’. It was offered that if
Afghanistan drops the claim of ‘Pakhtoonistan’, then it will be
granted the access to the Arabian Sea for trade. Afghan government
refused the offer.
Afghanistan opposed the membership of Pakistan in the UN.
In 1956, Pakistan President Iskander Mirza visited Kabul after an
attack on the Pakistan Embassy by an angry Afghan mob and
ransacked it. Afghanistan showed a cold response and diplomatic
ties remained cut off for several months. Afghan government
rejected the offer of peaceful relations between the two countries.
Afghan government signed an agreement trade with USSR much to
the dismay of Pakistan.
It refused to join the Regional Cooperation for
Development ( RCD ) in 1964.
Instead of supporting a brother Muslim country
Afghanistan adopted a neutral stance in the Pakistan-
India war of 1965.
During the Afghan war, the Afghan government always
condemned Pakistan’s support for the Afghan
Mujahideens.
The Afghan government’s war planes carried out
bombing in the different cities and towns of KPK.
After the Geneva Accord of 1988, different Afghan
groups started criticizing Pakistan’s involvement in
Afghanistan.
Successes
Bhutto visited Kabul after his election and convinced Afghan government
to attend the Second OIC Summit Conference held in Lahore. Talks were
also held to grant Afghan traders access to India through Pakistan. An
agreement was also signed which was called Afghan Transit Trade
Agreement (ATTA).

Pakistan extended aid after an earthquake hit Afghanistan in 1976.

General Zia paid a visit to Kabul in 1977 and Afghan president also came
to Pakistan in 1978 in order to strengthen the ties with Pakistan.
In 1979, USSR attacked Afghanistan to save the communist afghan
government. Pakistan, with the help of US aid helped the Afghan
Mujahideens. Pakistan generously accommodated more than three million
Afghan migrants.
Mainly due to the efforts of General Zia, the Geneva Acord was
signed in 1988, after which USSR forces withdrew from
Afghanistan.

In 1992, Afghanistan joined Economic Cooperation organization

( ECO ), which had replaced the RCD.

There was a rise of Taliban government in Afghanistan who had

different Afghan tribes under one government. Pakistan fully
supported the Taliban government.
Conclusion
On the whole, it can be concluded that Pakistan was not
successful in its relations with Afghanistan because of the
complex regional politics, a lack of sincerity on the part of
various Afghan governments and the strong influence of
USSR on the Afghan leaders.
What was the Afghan Miracle? [4]

The USSR invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. this made

Pakistan a vital ally of the USA. General Zia became a leader of a
Muslim state fighting against the USSR. The USA and Western
powers extended financial and military aid to Pakistan. Military aid
was given to help afghan Mujhaideen and economic aid was to
enable Pakistan to accommodate the Afghan migrants. Zia was able
to use some of these funds for the economic growth of Pakistan. This
way USSR’s attack on Afghanistan became a miracle for Zia’s
military rule.
Q. How successful was Pakistan in its relations with Iran
between 1947 and 1999? [14]

Pakistan and Iran have enjoyed good relations. After the

independence of Pakistan, Iran was the first country of the world to
officially recognize Pakistan.

Successes
The official recognition of Pakistan by Iran laid the foundations of
friendly and cordial relations.

Both the countries joined the Baghdad Pact along with UK.
They retained their membership of the Pact after Iraq left it in 1959 and it
became known as CENTO.

In July 1964, largely due to the efforts of Ayub Khan, the Regional Cooperation
for Development (RCD) was founded which comprised of Pakistan, Iran and
Turkey. The RCD highway was also constructed that connects three states. The
RCD provided a platform to its members to develop closer trade links, help
each other in industrial development and strengthening the cultural ties.

Iran and Turkey tried to convince other countries to help Pakistan in the war of
1965.

Iran sent help to the government of Bhutto to put down the uprising by the
tribal chiefs in Baluchistan in 1973.
In 1980, the war broke out between Iran and Iraq, after the
Islamic revolution in Iran under the leadership of Imam
Khomeini. Pakistan made sincere efforts to end the Iran-
Iraq war through the forum of the OIC.

Throughout the 1990s, Pakistan tried to improve relations

with Iran.

In 1999, a Free Trade Agreement was signed between

Pakistan and Iran.
Pakistan has been a major importer of oil from Iran.
Less Successes
The Islamic Revolution in Iran brought Imam Khomeini as the head of the state
and Shah of Iran had to go into exile. Khomeini was highly anti-American and
was suspicious of Pakistan government as it was receiving aid from USA in the
Afghan war. General Zia did his best to minimize the mistrust of Iran.

The relations were affected and RCD started becoming insignificant.

The sectarian violence in Pakistan caused the further deterioration between the
two countries.

After the Afghan war both the countries develop differences over the issue of
post-war Afghanistan.
Iran did not like the Pakistan’s support of the Taliban government.
It objected to the continuous involvement of Pakistan in Afghanistan
and sectarian violence in 1990s caused the relations to be strained.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that relations between Iran and Pakistan have

been successful due to a common religious, cultural and historic
background as well as a common geographical border. Urdu
language is closely associated with the Persian language and several
Persian speaking dynasties have ruled over the Sub-continent for
centuries.
Q: Why has Pakistan supported the Palestinian cause?
[7]

Pakistan has been supporting Palestinian cause for three important

reasons.

Firstly, even before the partition, Muslims of the subcontinent had

supported the cause of Palestinians and had rendered political,
moral and material support to them. The spirit of Islamic
brotherhood continued even after the partition. The torching of Al-
Aqsa Mosque in 1969 by Jews added fuel to the fire.
Secondly, one of the cornerstones of Pakistan’s foreign policy was the support
of suppressed nations. Pakistan has always been against oppression,
colonialism, discrimination and had supported the right of self-determination
of every nation. Pakistan has always condemned Israel and supported the
Palestinians on all international forums.

Thirdly, Pakistan has not recognized Israel. Ever since the emergence of Israel
state in 1948, Pakistan has opposed the unjust and unfair policy of western
powers who arranged and supported the settlement of Jews from all parts of
the world or unlawfully occupied Arab lands.

Pakistan has raised on the forum of OIC for the rights of Palestinian people
and withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories.
What is OIC? [4]
OIC stands for Organization of Islamic
Cooperation formerly the Organization of the Islamic
Conference, is an international organization founded in
1969. The first session of the OIC was held at Rabat,
Morocco in the wake of the burring of Al Aqsa Masjid by a
Jew. Second summit conference was held at Lahore in 1972.
Currently OIC has 57 member states and its headquarters
is located in Jeddah, KSA.
Q: Why did Pakistan leave SEATO in 1972? [7]

Pakistan had joined SEATO in 1954. But due to certain reasons Pakistan
was forced to withdraw itself from SEATO.

Pakistan signed the treaty, but the United States warned that the Pact
applied only to communist aggression so Pakistan could not hope to use
treaty if attacked by India. The decision of the Foreign Minister,
Zafarullah Khan, to sign the treaty was contested by the Pakistan
government, and it was not until January 1955 that government of
Pakistan agreed to ratify the treaty. Therefore weaknesses were apparent.
Moreover, Pakistan had tried to secure further aid as a result of its membership
of SEATO and pushed for a permanent military force to be established to
protect all member states. Neither of these moves was successful, as the other
members refused to agree.

Pakistan’s disenchantment with the treaty increased when SEATO did not
support Pakistan in either of its wars with India (1965 and 1971 wars). It was
the Bangladesh crisis in 1971 which finally led Bhutto to declare the withdrawal
of Pakistan from SEATO in 1972.

Therefore, due to these reasons, Pakistan left SEATO in 1972.

Q: Why did Pakistan join United Nations? [7]

United Nations was founded after World War II. Pakistan joined the UNO in
September 1947. There were several reasons for this:

Firstly, as a new-born independent country, Pakistan was anxious to be

recognized as an independent country in the world. Moreover, since India was
already a member of UNO even before 1947, Pakistan was also keen to get its
membership. As a sovereign state, it was important for Pakistan to join UNO to
make its identity accepted by the world.
Secondly, just after the partition Pakistan was faced with the problem of the
accession of the states of Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir. It was vital for
Pakistan to seek the membership in order to present her case before the
Security Council effectively. Furthermore, on 1st April 1948, India had shut off
the water supplies to Pakistan (Canal Water Dispute). So to find a solutions to
such problems, Pakistan joined UNO. UNO supported Pakistan by helping it
draw a treaty with India (Indus Water Treaty, 1960) with the help of World
Bank.

Thirdly, Pakistan was keen to play its role in supporting the independence
struggle of several Asian and African countries. So to play its role as a peaceful
nation against colonization, racial discrimination, territorial and regional
aggression, Pakistan joined the UNO in 1947.
Q: How successful had Pakistan been as a member of world organizations
between 1947 and 1999? Explain your answer. [14]

Pakistan has been taking keen and active interest in international

organizations. Pakistan joined UN in September 1947. In the beginning
Pakistan remained involved in arguments about rights of Kashmiris and
the solution for the Kashmir problem in which Pakistan was not
successful.

Pakistani delegations made effective contribution for the independence of

many states, which were under colonial rule in 1950s particularly in case
of Muslim states such as Palestine.
Pakistan has contributed effectively and regularly to the United Nations
peace-keeping missions in African and Asian countries.
Pakistan was elected thrice as member of the Security Council.
Pakistan was effective in getting resolutions passed in General
Assembly asking for withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan
and always supported the Palestinian and Arab cause.

Pakistan was far more enthusiastic about CENTO because other

member states were mostly Muslim. Pakistan regularly tried to
persuade the other members to establish a unified command for
CENTO. However, despite regular meetings, the group never
developed a permanent structure or a system for raising troops for
mutual defence. Thus by 1979 the organisation had quietly
dissolved.
In September 1954, Pakistan joined SEATO, but the
decision faced opposition from within the Pakistan
government and so the treaty was not ratified until 1955. It
did not support Pakistan during 1965 and 1971 wars. 
Finally Bhutto withdrew from the organisation in 1972 after
the Bangladesh Crisis. Therefore, the membership of
SEATO and CENTO has not been successful on part of
Pakistan.
Since the foundation of OIC, Pakistan had been an active member
of it and had been actively participating in the activities of OIC
aimed at Islamic unity, solidarity and stability. Pakistan has also
taken part in all summits and conferences held under the banner of
OIC. It had raised voice for the Palestinian Cause.

On 21st July 1964, largely as a result of the work of Ayub Khan,

Turkey, Iran and Pakistan set up the Regional Cooperation for
Development (RCD). This encouraged the three countries to
develop closer trade links and help each other with industrial
projects, such as setting up mills, and factories.
In case of Canal Water Dispute, the UN played a significant role when the
President of the World Bank made a recommendation that it should provide
financial and technical support to resolve the disagreement. This proposal
formed the basis of the Indus Water Treaty signed in September 1959. The
World Bank also provided finance to help establish hydro-electricity and soil
reclamation programmes which have been vital for the stimulation of Pakistan’s
economy and industries.

Pakistan has been an active member of NAM organization and took active part
in its deliberations. Pakistan has been an effective member of Common wealth
except during the 1972-1989. Pakistan has always stood for justice, equality,
peace, security and rights of the people.
On the whole Pakistan has been quite successful as a member of world
organizations.
Thank you
Ayesha Fawad