Foreign Policy of Pakistan

Ms. Syeda Fatimee- 42nd CTP,

FSP
 Guiding Principles
•

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, - first Governor General, in a broadcast

talk to the people of the USA in February 1948, outlined the following goals of
Pakistan’s foreign policy:
“Our foreign policy is
• one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the
world.
• We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation.
• We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and
international dealings
• are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of
peace and prosperity among the nations of the world.
• Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and
moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the
world,
• and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP

• Constitution of Pakistan -Article 40
•
“The State shall
▫ endeavour to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries
based on Islamic unity,
▫ support the common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America,
▫ promote international peace and security,
▫ foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and
▫ encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.”
The foreign policy of Pakistan is primarily directed
▫ to the pursuit of national goals of seeking peace and stability through
international cooperation.
▫ Special emphasis is laid on economic diplomacy to take advantages offered by the
process of globalization as also to face challenges of the 21st century.
▫ Our foreign policy is also geared to project the image of the country as a dynamic
and moderate society.

The foreign policy of Pakistan seeks to promote

▫ the internationally recognized norms of interstate relations, i.e. respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States,
▫ non-interference in the internal affairs of other State;
▫ non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes.
▫ Pakistan has therefore always sought to develop friendly and cordial relations
with all countries of the world.
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Objectives of our FP

•
· Promotion of Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate, and
democratic Islamic country.
· Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world,
especially major powers and immediate neighbours.
· Safeguarding national security and geo-strategic interests,
including Kashmir.
· Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with
international community.
· Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad.
· Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and
international cooperation.
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
• So our focus
▫ Security
▫ Territorial integrity
▫ Independence
• Other interests
• Cultivation of brotherly relations with Muslim
countries
• Cardinal features of Foreign Policy
• The sovereign equality of states
• Bilateralism
• Mutuality of interest
• Non-interference
• Faith in UN charter
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Main determinants of Pak’s FP
• Economy
• Geography
• Ideology
• History
• Defence capability
• National security
• Diplomacy
• Public opinion
• Demography
• Political structure
• Geo-politics
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Major Phases in Foreign Policy
• The principle strategies & mechanism to pursue
these FP goals have varied over time
• 1947-1953: Exploration & Friendship with
All
1. Early years- problems with India- June 3 plan- the
division of assets- large scale killing of people-
subsequent communal riots- matters of religious
minorities- property matters- water disputes-
bilateral trade- territorial disputes- statements of
Indian leaders

Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP

1947-1953: Exploration & Friendship
with All
• 2. Early years- problems with Afghanistan- claims on
NWFP and Baluchistan territory of Pak- Soviet support
for Afgh claim as Pak joined US defence pacts later on-
• Security imperatives: organization of army- weapons
purchase- retaining of British officers- officers sent to
Britain and other commonwealth states for training

Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP

Alignment with the West 1953-62
▫ Entered into a number of pacts & gained economic
and military assistance in return- entangled in cold
war between US and USSR
▫ Reason:
 acute sense of insecurity
 Economic problems- crisis on 1950s-cotton crisis-
falling Forex- dwindling Gold reserves-Shortage of
wheat (US came with wheat as a gift)
 Suffering from isolation- efforts for unity with Muslim
world were not making headway-clear that Un and
CW nations wouldn’t help in Kashmir issue

Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP

Alignment with the West 1953-62
• Why was US willing to help?

▫ Policy to contain communism

▫ Pro-Western gestures by Pak leaders- support from top-
brass too
Agreements
1. 1954- Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement: Pak
support for closer ties btw US and Turkey- a formal
agreement then between Pak & Turkey in April 1954-
MDAA in May 1954-
US pledged to provide- Military assistance, training
facilities and related services- enable Pak to ensure self-
defence & territorial integrity-
Trick:
Pak was bound not to use assistance against any non-
communist states Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Agreements
2. Sept 1954- SEATO/ Manila Pact: Britain, Philippines,
Thailand, France, Australia, Newzealand and
Pakistan- to develop capacity to resist and counter-
attack from enemy states- attack on one would be
considered attack on all
US pledged to provide- Military assistance, training
facilities and related services- enable Pak to ensure
self-defence & territorial integrity- but Pak was bound
not to use assistance against any non-communist
states
Trick:
Applied only to communist aggression
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Agreements
3. Sept 1955- CENTO/Baghdad Pact: Iraq (till 1959),
Turkey & Iran- Great Britain was also a member
▫ Co-op in field of defence & security
Trick:
▫ Applied only to communist aggression
▫ No help of strengthened military capabilities in
inter-regional disputes
4. March 1959- Defence & economic Assistance from
USA: bilateral agreement of co-op- US declared the
independence & integrity of Pak as vital to
preservation of its national interest
Article2- airbases in return for economic assistance-
Badaber for 10 years (50-69)
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Alignment with the West 1953-62
• Cost
▫ Compromised independent FP
▫ Prospects of relation with SU suffered- resorted to
two-pronged strategy against Pak
 Extended support to India
 Support Afg claim
▫ Muslim states got offended- alienated Egypt on
Suez Canal issue with adoption of ambiguous
policy-
▫ Pak excluded from NAM 1961
▫ No US support on Kashmir
▫ China openly condemned our joining
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
Rethinking about Alignment Policy- A
transition- 1962-1971
• Two major developments contributed to rethinking
▫ Soviet threat of retaliation- (U2 plane incident)
▫ Importance of land bases declined (ICBM & sub
marines)
▫ Kennedy administration’s closeness to India-
counterweight to China- offered nuclear umbrella,
not asked to make any security commitment

Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP

Rethinking about Alignment Policy- A
transition- 1962-1971
• 60- SU adopted balanced approach towards India &
pak
• 61-63- # of steps by Pak towards USSR- # of
agreements for economic and technical co-
operation- oil exploration
• 65- Bhutto and Ayub visited Moscow
• April 65- Runn of Kutch- SU maintained neutrality
• SU agreed to assist Pak in 30 dev projects during 3rd
5 years plan (65-70)
• 66- Tashkent agreement- arranged by Soviet PM
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
 • 1962-1971
• Improving relations with China- several
agreements in 63
• 63- border demarcation agreement, barter trade,
air service agreement
• 64- support for right of self-determination of
Kashmiris
• Support during wars- supply of weapons in 1966
• USA
• Diminishing ties with USA- “Pak-China agreement,
an unfortunate breach of the free world solidarity
• Withdrew assistance in Dhaka airport construction
• 65- Ayub postponed his visit
• 65- Arms embargo in south Asia
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
• 1962-1971
• Movement to independent and pluralistic
perspective on FP
▫ Relations with multiple states
▫ Relations with one won’t affect those with others
▫ Didn’t withdraw from US sponsored pacts
▫ Didn’t endorse Asian collective security system
proposed by Su
• INDIA
• Conflicting national aspirations
• Mutual distrust
• Six inconclusive rounds of talks-62-63 on Kashmir
• Three wars- limited war in Runn of Kutch 1965, full
blown war in 1965 and 1971
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
1972-1979- Bilateralism & Non Alignment
• Realization that no permanent alignment but
mutuality of interest fosters relations, without
alienating one for the sake of others.
• Withdrew from CEATO, SENTO in 1972
• Recognized DPRK, DRV, East Germany
• Diversified interaction- trade, economic, diplomatic
relations with states in East Europe (Yugoslavia &
Romania), in Africa , Asia, South & central America
• Identification with causes and issues of developing
countries
• Became member of Nam in 1979
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
1972-1979- Bilateralism & Non Alignment
• Improved Indo-Pak relations
▫ 1972- Simla peace agreement- dealing with 1971 war issues-
return of PoWs, withdrawal of India from border, normalization
of Indo-Pak relations
▫ 74- recognition of BD in 2nd Islamic Summit in lahore- in return
BD withdrew the demand of trail of PoWs.
▫ May 1974- Smiling Buddha
• Improved ties with major powers
▫ China & Pak- friendly ties
▫ Good relations with US initially
▫ 1976- sharp differences – US Pak- Pak entered into agreement
with France to acquire nuclear technology
▫ US convinced France not to give NRP- suspended all economic
assistance and military sales to Pak in 1979( after knowing of
secret activities at kahutta) – burning of US embassy at Isb.
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
1980-1990- Afghanistan and partnership
with USA
• Dec 1979-an event of far-reaching global
ramifications
• Pak View: violation of sovereignty and
independence of a neighbour, non-aligned, Muslim
state-
• Relations with SU were strained- fear of expansion-
fear of support to dissent in Baluchistan
• Pak allowed over 3mn refugees in 1 yr- demanded
soviet withdrawal- supported Afghan Mujahedeen
• Turning point for Pak-US relations- 2 packages of
assistance offered (economic & military)
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
1980-1990- Afghanistan and partnership
with USA
• First 6-yr Assistance package (1981-87): US $3.2bn;
40F16 for US $1.2 bn
• Second 6-yr AP (1987-93): US$4.2 bn
• Impact:
▫ closer ties with US
▫ Co-op between ISI and CIA
▫ Encouraged volunteer from Arab states to take part in
Afghan Jihad
• Four major issues of Pak FP in 1990s
▫ Drift in Pak-US relations
▫ Kashmir insurgency
▫ Afghanistan Crisis
▫ Nuclear explosion
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
1990-2001-Post Cold War & Pakistan’s
Dilemma
• Four major issues of Pak FP in 1990s
1. Drift in Pak-US relations: soviet withdrawal -Pak lost its
relevance with the end of clod war- break-up of Soviet union-
Pak’s support for Taliban disliked- Us focus shifted to
1. Non-Proliferation
2. India
four types of sanctions on Pakistan
1. Military sales and economic assistance
2. Additional economic sanctions
3. Sanctions on military takeover
4. Limited sanctions on some institutions (missile technology)
▫ Kashmir insurgency
▫ Afghanistan Crisis (Taliban Govt: Pak’s Support)
▫ Nuclear explosion (May 1998)
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
2001 Onwards-Counter Terrorism
• Pak’s policy gained focus attention due to two reasons
▫ For a long time Pak supported Taliban regime
(intelligence gained multi-faceted interactions)
▫ Pak shared a long border (feasible to launch war from this
territory)
• Pak’s FP
1. USA
• Pak turned its back on Taliban
• Opened military air bases for US aircrafts
• Military intelligence sharing
• US withdrew sanctions- took steps to revive relations
• Eco. Assistance from WB, IMF, ADB
• Offered a five yr assistance package of US $3bn
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP
2001 Onwards-Counter Terrorism
• Pak’s FP
2. India
1. View: Pak can’t be made major allies given its support
for Taliban in the past years – its militant groups were
involved in Kashmir
2. As a response to parliament attacks 2001- air routes
blocked – escalation to nearly a war in 2002 as India
followed coercive diplomacy, massed troops at border,
US & UK intervention helped.
3. China
Sought Pak co-op to combat terrorism in Xinjing Muslim
province
4. Russia
Arrest of Chechnya activist from wanna Area
Slides prepared by Ms. Syeda fatimee- 42nd CTP, FSP