Research Proposal

Pakistan policy towards Central Asian Countries during PMLN

regime (2013-2018) conflicts and co-operation

Submitted By: Malik Ijaz Ahmed

M.Phil. Scholar

Supervisor: Dr. Adail Khan

Department of Pakistan Studies
Hazara University Mansehra

Department of Pakistan Studies Hazara University Mansehra,

Pakistan
2016

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Introduction:
Central Asian Republics came into existence in 1991 after the disintegration of
U.S.S.R. The Central Asia consists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with a total population of over 64.7 million and spread
over an area of about four million square kilometers (Javaid & Rashid, 2015).
Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the energy-rich and land-locked
Central Asian Republics (CARs) have assumed great significance in Pakistan’s
foreign policy considerations. Pakistan’s geographical proximity with the Central
Asian region, the geopolitical and geo-economic significance of the CARs and the
desire to become the gateway to Central Asia have stimulated Islamabad’s interest in
building closer political and economic ties with the region, which includes six
republics of the former Soviet Union: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (Shaheen, 2011). Historically, the areas that make up
Pakistan have had close cultural and economic relations with the region. Central Asia
has been closely tied to its nomadic people and the Silk Route, which has acted as a
crossroads for the movement of people, goods, and ideas between Europe and Asia
for centuries.
Pakistan and the CARs share many things including religion and cultural ties.
However, Islamabad’s desire for close political and economic ties with the Central
Asian region has been plagued by its foreign policy (Asif, 2011).
The history of this relationship can be traced back to the 2nd century B.C up to
17th and 18th century when the nomadic people in both the areas established economic,
cultural and religious links with each other and the Indus civilization now comprising
Pakistan was part of the dynasties in Central Asia (Shaheen, 2011).

Conflicts:
Various irritants and challenges that have a bearing on relations between Pakistan
and the Central Asian states are also present.
Lack of a common border with any Central Asian state is one of the primary
impediments to accessing the region. The only possible access way of Pakistan to
Central Asia is Afghanistan but due to security dilemma yet access through
Afghanistan is not possible. Another challenge is The conditions in Pakistan have
progressively worsened since 9/11 amid a flagging economy, poor law and order and
political instability, which have affected Islamabad’s ability to expand economic ties

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with Central Asia. Although the CARs have large reserves of oil, gas and enormous
mineral wealth, they have been unable to tap this wealth on account of their weak
economies and lack of technological prowess. Pakistan and the Central Asian
republics have signed several memoranda of understanding on economic cooperation
and collaboration in various fields. An inter-governmental Joint Economic
Commission has also been set up with the countries in the region to give impetus to
trade, economic and scientific cooperation. But the expected economic growth has not
materialized mainly because of lack of implementation of the agreements (Asif,
2011).
Opportunities:
The present relationship between Pakistan and Central Asia is and can be of
enormous significance because both the sides can gain greatly from the economic
potentials of each other and can boost their social and cultural cooperation as they are
blessed with natural and geographic potentials (Malik, 1994). As far Central Asia,
Pakistan’s geo-strategic position is of great importance. The most significant and near
route for Central Asia to the sea can be provided by Pakistan and Afghanistan. The
economic interests of Central Asia can be boosted through Pakistan as the trade can
be increased by air and by road. Most of the Central Asian capitals like Tashkent,
Dushanbe, Ashkhabad, Almaty and Bishkek can use the Karachi seaport as the nearest
one. The future regional economic stability and cooperation can be increased with
strong ties of Pakistan and Central Asia. As for Pakistan, the importance of Central
Asia cannot be ignored in any way. It was the realization of this importance that
Pakistan recognized the Central Asian states and Afghanistan’s stable government is
in the interest of Pakistan only because of Pakistan’s policy of gaining access to that
region (Asif 2002).
Statement of the Problem:
The independence of Central Asian states in 1991 began a new era of political
and economic relationship when both the sides felt the need to come closer to develop
cooperation on wider basis. Pakistan also extended cooperation and financial support
to Central Asian states in the shape of credits in the long term just after the
independence of CARs. Since its independence relations of Pakistan with these
countries has not improved on that degree which was expected. Though being
resources reach region Pakistan could get help from its resources in its energy security

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but the challenges and irritants are the main hurdle in this respect. Beside energy
security there are a lot of fields in which these countries can assist each other. Central
Asia is a landlocked region. They can use Pakistan ports for their trade with the rest of
world. They can also assist one another in defense, economic, technological and
political fields, but the challenges and irritants are the main hurdles in such type of
cooperation.
To better understand and analyze this, the research will describe their relations and
overwhelming challenges and opportunities in detail. Last but not the least this study
will investigate the fields in which Pakistan and CARs can assist each other and get
benefits from one another potentials. This study will are look to the future of Pak-CARs
relations.
Aims and objectives of the study:
1. To know about the historical background of Pakistan Central Asian relations
and its links.
2. To analysis economic, and political relations between Pakistan and Central
Asian states.
3. To know about the importance of Central Asian republics resources for
Pakistan.
Research questions:
1. What are the interests of Pakistan in central Asian states?
2. What the existing level are of cooperates among Pakistan and CARs in
different fields since its independence?
3. What is an importance of Pakistan for CARs?
4. How the existing challenges and irritants in their relation can be removed?
Scope and Significance:
Pakistan renounced its foreign policy in 21 Century which has enhanced
Islamabad’s cooperation and economic links with Central Asia. However, the present
scenario has hastened developments in domestic politics and inter-state relations.
Pakistan is trying to develop new avenues for cooperation with the CARs and has
strived to improve its image smudged by years of support to extremist elements in
Afghanistan. Pakistan, along with the CARs, is an important member of the Economic
Cooperation Organization and its observer status in the organizations such as SCO
shows the CARs’ acceptance of Pakistan as a valued partner.

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 This research study will provide a brief historical overview of Pakistan CARs
relations and will study its various dimension, economic co-operation, cultural ties,
and the mutual beneficial fields. It will also study the strategic and political relations
of Pakistan with CARs. Moreover, the importance of this study is that the relations
between Pakistan and CARs has always, been felt not only because of any new trends
in the international and regional political strategies policies.
Research Methodology:
This research is qualitative in nature as it perceives Pakistan Central Asian
Countries Relation’s Challenges and Opportunities. Inductive method adopted in the
study and conclusion. The research is based on historical, comparative and analytical
approach used both explanatory and analytical methods. This study is descriptive and
explanatory in nature and hence; conducted through extensive and wide literature
survey. Secondary sources used to gather the data. Moreover, the research is basically
a product of the combination of publish materials, books, journals, newspapers and
magazines articles.
Organization of the Study:
The study will comprise of five chapters,
Chapter No 1: Introduction.
Chapter No 2: History of Pak-CARs Relations.
Chapter No 3: CARs Importance for Pakistan.
Chapter No 4: Pak-CARs Relations.
Chapter No 5: Recommendations and Conclusion.
Literature Review:
Irum Shaheen studied that, Central Asian region assumes greater importance for
Pakistan not for a single reason of historical relationship but there are many factors
which induce Pakistan to keep Central Asia as a priority area in the shaping of foreign
policy. Since the independence of CARs, various strategic and economic interests
have become a significant objective of Pakistan’s policy particularly in the field of
energy. For landlocked Central Asia also, Pakistan’s importance is not without any
reason. Along with historical and cultural ties which bring both the regions closer, the
potential relationship in future can benefit them greatly. The role of the regional
organizations and development of infrastructure on both the sides can increase the
possibilities of stronger interaction in all the fields. Both Central Asia and Pakistan

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hold great importance for each other and the changed geopolitical and strategic
position has enhanced this significance immensely. This paper analyzes the
importance of Central Asia and Pakistan for each other in view of the historical and
cultural relationship. Moreover, various motives of Pakistan in the region have also
been discussed. The problems and challenges which Pakistan is facing and can face
while competing and involving in CARs in the presence of other regional and
international players form part of the research and there are various policy options
which can work best for Pakistan if adopted in a true sense and with full commitment
(Shaheen, 2011).
Umbreen Javaid and Azhar Rashid studied that, as for as the Pakistan
relations with Central Asia is concerned there are several dimensions but the main
emphasis remained on the current outlook of the CARs vis-a-vis Pakistan coupled
with Pakistani initiatives and responses. It has also studied the opportunities; and
obstacles faced by Pakistan in pursuance of her strategic, political and economic goals
towards the CARs. The major impediments in better relations of Pakistan and CARs
are lack of common border for better accessibility of the region, unrest in Afghanistan
and global war against terrorism. Wakhan corridor is a 16km narrowest point on the
Northeastern side of Afghanistan which can connect Pakistan with Tajikistan of
Central Asian region but the security situation of Afghanistan and tribal agencies of
Pakistan is a principal barrier to pursuit trade relation as well as the energy relations
between Central Asia and Pakistan. Due to the geo strategic and geo political
importance of Pakistan Central Asia cannot ignore Pakistan (Javaid & Rashid, 2015).

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References:
Asif, F., (2011). Pakistan’s ties with Central Asian States Irritants and Challenges.
Conflict and Peace Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1.
Javaid, U., & Rashid, A., (2015). Oil and Gas Potentials of Central Asian Republics
and Relations with Pakistan. South Asian Studies, Vol. 30, No.1.
Malik, H., (1994), Central Asia: Its Strategic Importance and Future Prospects. UK:
Macmillan Press.
Shaheen, I., (2011). Importance of Pakistan-Central Asia Relations: Opportunities and
Constraints. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. 1
No. 14.
Asif, N., (2002). “Pakistan’s Interests in Central Asia”, Pakistan Horizon, Karachi, 55
(4).