Pakistan and the World Powers
Relations with America
Pakistan and the United States of America (USA) came to terms just after the independence of Pakistan. On 23 September 1947, the USA appointed her ambassador to Pakistan. In early 1949, the Soviet Union invited the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaqat Ali Khan, to visit Moscow. In the meantime, our prime minister also received an invitation from the USA for a visit, which he preferred. During his visit to the USA, Quaid-e-Millat addressed the US Congress and informed them of the conditions and challenges in Pakistan. In 1953, the USA helped Pakistan to overcome the food crisis.
With the help of the USA, the South-East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) came into being in 1954. Pakistan was a member of this organization. By joining this body, Pakistan wanted to acquire arms from the USA, as she desperately needed it for her military. The SEATO Pact provided that all member countries would jointly defend each other in case of external aggression. In February 1955, the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) was also formed with the help of the USA. This pact involved Pakistan, Turkey, etc. Both By SEATO and CENTO, Pakistan obtained a large supply of arms and other military ware. In 1959, US President Eisenhower came to Pakistan on a two-day visit. Then he declared that the US shall keep on military aid to Pakistan and that they shall financially support Pakistan’s second five-year plan to overcome the problem of waterlogging and salinity. In 1964, the USA disclosed that she does not recognize India held Kashmir as her legitimate part; rather wants a peaceful settlement to this issue.
During the September 1965 War between Pakistan and India, the USA did nothing for Pakistan; rather its leaders blamed Pakistan for the war. view of this negative attitude of the USA, Pakistan had to reconsider her foreign policy. In 1968, Pakistan shut down the US air station located close to Peshawar.
In 1971, India imposed war on Pakistan which caused the cessation of East Pakistan. During this war also, ignored Pakistan’s interests and suspended the aid. In February 1975, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto visited the USA and discussed the aftermath of the Indian atomic test explosion. Later, the USA lifted the ban on arms supply to Pakistan. In March 1976, Pakistan started its peaceful atomic program, which the USA opposed bitterly. In 1979, the Soviet Army invaded Afghanistan, which made the USA worried about the growing Soviet influence in South Asia. In this situation, the USA immediately announced three million dollars for Pakistan as economic and military aid. On 22nd November 1982, the USA sanctioned the sale of forty F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan.
After the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan and her subsequent disintegration, the USA pressurized Pakistan to back away from acquiring nuclear capability. However, Pakistan did not compromise on its peaceful atomic program. When Pakistan reacted to the Indian nuclear explosion by conducting its own, the US and many European countries suspended aid to Pakistan. On 11″ September 2001, the World Trade Centre incident took place, which made the USA need Pakistan’s assistance against global terrorism. The USA immediately offered one billion dollars to Pakistan as economic and military aid. Presently, the USA appreciates Pakistan’s efforts against global terrorism and continues aid.
Relations with Russia
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Russia were established in 1948. In 1949, Russia (then United Soviet Socialist Republic) invited the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaqat Ali Khan, for a visit, but he, in view of Pakistan’s economic and defense interests, preferred to visit the USA. This decision made Russia consider Pakistan as one of the US allies, so she started favoring vis-à-vis Pakistan. When Pakistan became a member of the SEATO and CENTO pacts, Russia began vetoing the UN resolutions on the Kashmir issue to give favor to the Indian position.
Despite these facts, diplomatic efforts were carried on for building economic cooperation between the two countries. In 1958, Russia showed her interest to establish a steel mill in Pakistan. During President Ayub’s era, Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement for the exploration of Petroleum in Pakistan. Apart from this, bilateral Air Service resumed and cooperation started in the fields of education, literature, arts, and science. During the Pak-India War of 1965, Russia did not side openly with India; rather played an imminent role in reconciliation between the two countries. As a result of the Russian diplomatic efforts, Pakistan and India signed an agreement, called “Tashkend Declaration”.
On 30 May 1965, the Russian prime minister paid a one-day visit to Pakistan, which concluded with a joint cornmuniqué, stating that the two countries shall keep on cooperation in economy, culture, and other fields. However, this spirit could not last long, as Russia openly supported India in her war with Pakistan in 1971. When a resolution was moved in the UN to declare India as the aggressor, Russia vetoed it. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto visited Russia in order to normalize Pak-Russia relations, which succeeded substantially. Russia offered enough aid to Pakistan to establish and expand the Pakistan Steel Mills, Karachi.
Our relations with Russia became tense again when in 1979 she invaded Afghanistan and a civil war started there. In December 1991, after the withdrawal of the Russian Army from Afghanistan, the Soviet Union disintegrated because of its economic disaster. This situation witnessed a radical change in Russia’s foreign policy and a new era of Pak-Russia relations started. Now, under her new policy, Russia appreciates Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism. She also emphasizes that Pakistan and India should resolve their issues through bilateral dialogues, including the Kashmir issue. It means, now there is enough consensus between Pakistan and Russia over world affairs.
Relations with Japan
Japan is an economic giant. Pakistan and Japan have been enjoying cordial relations for decades. In 1952, diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. In 1957 their prime ministers exchanged visits. Pakistan imports parts of heavy industry, electrical appliances, transport machinery and chemical goods from Japan and exports raw cotton and fish to her, Japan is an important trade partner with Pakistan. In addition, Japan has also been providing loans to her. In 1960, Japan provided assistance in the industrial development of Pakistan. She has helped in the development of Balochistan by providing aid and cooperation in the following projects:
- Diesel Power Station Project in Pasni, 1988
- Guddu-Sibi-Quetta Power Transmission Project
- Supply of educational/scientific equipment to Balochistan
- Engineering College, Khuzdar, 1988 The project of exploring groundwater resources in Balochistan
The first agreement between the two countries regarding the exchange of cultural delegations was signed in 1957. In 1973, Japan also provided financial aid to Pakistan for the preservation of the archeological site of Mohenjo Daro.
Relations with European Countries
Pakistan has always enjoyed extensive trade relations with European countries. These countries have been assisting Pakistan in the fields of agriculture, industry, defense, and education. In March 1976, our relations with France lost warmth when she refused to provide an atomic reactor for Chashma Nuclear Power Plant. Later, in 1979, France signed an agreement with Pakistan to provide her Mirage fighter jets, which she fulfilled. France helped Pakistan in the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees. The two countries also have strong trade relations. Pakistan has trade relations with Britain and Germany as well. Pakistan has been a colony of Britain, therefore, she enjoys membership of the Commonwealth Organization. Britain helps us a lot in the field of education. Each year, she provides scholarships to hundreds of Pakistani students under different programs. Germany is one of the largest importers of our carpets, and we import scientific equipment and electrical household appliances from Germany.
Besides these countries, Pakistan also enjoys bilateral trade relations with other members of the European Union, like Spain, Italy, Denmark, Norway and Belgium. A Norwegian mobile phone company “Telenor” has a vast network in Pakistan. We import different food items from Norway, Belgium, and Denmark.
The Role of Pakistan in UNO
After World War II, an international organization, called United Nations Organization (UNO), was founded on 26 October 1945. Its purpose was to maintain peace in the world and resolve the conflicts between nations through diplomatic means. Within a few months after independence, on 30″ September 1947, Pakistan became a member of the UNO. Pakistan made the UN Charter one of the important elements of her foreign policy, and she supports all the UN policies. Pakistan has always been taking active part in eliminating apartheid policies from the world, under the UN Charter.
Different Pakistani experts have been serving the UNO at a high level like Sir Zafarullah Khan (Ex-Foreign Minister of Pakistan) served as the President of the General Assembly. Whenever the UNO requested peacekeeping troops, Pakistan always responded positively. Pakistani peacekeeping troops and medical missions have been rendering their services in Somalia, Seraleon, Congo, etc. Pakistan has always represented the Third World and Islamic countries in the General Assembly and rendered meritorious services in safeguarding their rights. Pakistan moved many resolutions against Israeli aggression. She also led Group-77, comprising the Third World Countries in the General Assembly.
Pakistan accepts all the UNO resolutions regarding the Kashmir issue and always emphasized on implementation of these resolutions. But due to India’s stubbornness, this issue is still unresolved. Pakistan always supported the right of freedom for all nations according to the UNO Charter and supported politically and morally all the independence movements throughout the world. Different specialized agencies of the UNO have been working for the welfare of Pakistanis and among them, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) are worth mentioning.
