Since Independence

Pakistan's relations with the British were complicated in 1947, right after partition, due to the Radcliffe
Award. According to Pakistan, the partition was unfair, as Muslim-populated areas like Ferozepur and
Gurdaspur were given to India. According to Jinnah, this was done deliberately to give India a border
with Kashmir. Economic problems also arose as major industrial sectors were allocated to India. After
partition, Pakistan was economically weak.

1947-60s

The war of 1947-48 on the Kashmir issue brought more problems for Pakistan. As a newborn country,
Pakistan was financially weak and lacked military strength. The British provided military and civil services
to Pakistan and also helped it financially. Without assistance and expertise, it would have been difficult
for Pakistan to establish itself as an independent country. Pakistan tried to maintain friendly relations
with Britain.

One of the successes in relations with Great Britain was the membership in the Commonwealth. This
membership provided Pakistan with political and economic support. In 1950, a Commonwealth
conference was held in Colombo, and the "Colombo Plan" was set up, providing aid for Pakistan. More
than €1 million was given towards the Sui Gas project. Canada gave $40 million for the development of
railways.

In 1956, the Governor-General of Pakistan, Iskander Mirza, declared that the monarch no longer had any
say in how Pakistan should be governed. However, Pakistan remained a part of the Commonwealth.
Relations within the Commonwealth have sometimes been strained, as Pakistan did not always receive
the political support it hoped for regarding the Kashmir issue. Many Commonwealth members argued
against the policy of military rule. In 1958, a military coup led by Ayub Khan addressed perceived
governance issues but raised concerns about democratic values. Diplomatic engagement within the
Commonwealth aimed to establish ties, navigate regional tensions, and address early governance
challenges.

1960s-70s
In 1965, a war broke out between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue, and Britain played a major
part in bringing the war to an end. The Treaty of Tashkent was signed in London in June 1965.

In the 1970s, social reforms and modernization efforts aimed to address internal inequalities. The
Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 strained relations with India, significantly impacting Pakistan's
international standing and Commonwealth ties. On 2 February 1971, when Britain recognized
Bangladesh as an independent country, Pakistan left the Commonwealth in protest. Frequent changes in
government, political instability, and internal strife created challenges for sustained diplomatic efforts
within the Commonwealth.