Muslim World:

Now we move on to the third part of our lecture today which deals with country to country
relationship that is Pakistans bilateral relations with individual Muslim countries. It is not
possible to discuss all the details of this relationship with all Muslim countries. Pakistan has
good relations with all the Muslim countries but we will highlight Pakistans relations with some
of the Muslim countries so that you have a fair idea of the nature of relationship and the kind
of interaction that takes place between Pakistan and different Muslim countries.
Saudi Arabia:
Lets take up Saudi Arabia first, this has been an important relationship which is characterized
by continuity of cordiality going back to the early years of Pakistan. The two
countries Pakistan andSaudi Arabia shared views on major international and regional issues.
Both countries consult each other on regional and international issues from time to time. They
work together on Organization of Islamic Conference. Saudi Arabia supported Pakistan in all its
wars with India and its position on Kashmir is supportive of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia being
sacred country is a centre of the Muslim Ummah.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have an extensive economic relationship that expanded rapidly after
1972. Saudia had always provided economic assistance and loans to Pakistan and it had also
invested capital in Pakistan in various projects. An important aspect of relationship is oil supply
toPakistan from Saudi Arabia. Since 1998 SA had been supplying crude oil to Pakistan on
deferred payment bases which mean that you get the oil now but you make the payment of its
price later on gradually. This has help to ease economic pressure on Pakistan and Pakistan has
been able to obtain oil. SA is the biggest oil supplier to Pakistan at the moment. This
relationship is going to expand over the years because both have been expanding the area of
cooperation for example latest addition to this cooperation is counter terrorism that is both are
cooperating to contain terrorism in the region.
UAE, Kuwait and other Gulf States:
The second important relationship is with UAE, Kuwait and other Gulf States. As a matter of
factPakistan maintains very cordial and friendly relationship with all Gulf States and Pakistanis
are based in all these states. They are working there and contributing to the economy of these
countries. These countries and States have close and friendly relations with Pakistan. The new
era of economic relations has set in after the Gawadar port was built. These countries have
been providing economic assistance and investment in Pakistan. UAE had established hospitals
and Islamic centers in some of Pakistani universities where students get knowledge and
instructions about Islamic studies and related subjects. I may mention here that
the kingdom of Umman have a large no. of Pakistanis living there, it recruits its people
in Baluchistan from its army from time to time. So there is a special relationship between this
kingdom and Baluchistan. The ruling families of these states make official and personal visits
to Pakistan. So far as QATAR is concerned the relations are cordial and friendly. There is a plan
under consideration that a gas pipeline from Qatar to Pakistan and if this project is
implemented then the economic ties of both the countries would deepen.
Iran:
Pakistan maintains good and cordial relations with Iran. Iran is a neighboring state with long
historical and cultural ties. Iran had another distinction. Iran was also the first country which
extended
formal
recognition
to Pakistan that
is Iran was
the
first
that

recognized Pakistan. Irans King was also the first head of state who visited Pakistan after it
came into existence. Pakistan andIran had worked together in different organizations; both
had joint arrangements in regard toCENTO which was earlier called as
the BAGHDAD PACT, RCD, and ECO in addition to other global organizations where they are
partners. Iran supported Pakistan in the wars with India. It stressed on liberty of the people
of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan welcomed the Iranian Revolution of February
1979. However in the initial years of the revolution the relations were rather at low key.
Firstly because Iran was busy in its internal affairs, secondly Iran had some reservations over
the strong ties of Pakistan with the United States at that time. However since the mid 80s the
relations have been revived and Iran and Pakistan have gradually become close friends and
partners with lot of exchanges and visits at different levels. In fact, 3 Iranian presidents have
visited Pakistan since
the
revolution. In
January
1986,
president
Khamani
visited Pakistanlater he became the Rahber n Iran. The 2nd president who visited Pakistan was
Ali Akbar Rafsanjani who visited Pakistan in March 1997. The 3rd Iranian president who
visited Pakistan was president Khatmi who visited Pakistan in December 2002.
From Pakistan side there have been similar important visits. Currently there is a project under
consideration for constructing a gas pipeline fromIran to Pakistan and then from Pakistan it will
go to India and if this project is materialized naturally the relations would further expand in
the economic domain.
Turkey:
Turkey is another Muslim country with a long history of close and cordial relations
with Pakistan.Turkey had stood by Pakistan in all kinds of situations in wars or in
peace Turkey has supportedPakistan. On Kashmir Turkey has supported Pakistan and called for
a peaceful resolution. If Turkeyhad been supportive of Pakistan then Pakistan has also
supported in all kinds of situations especially on the Cyprus issue. In Cyprus people of Turkish
origin or you can say that Turkish Cypriotes were a minority and there was a problem of their
rights and interests in Cyprus. In 1974 Turkey landed its troops in Northern Cyprus and
Turkish Cypriotes established their own separate entity.Pakistan has been supportive
of Turkey and Turkish Cypriotes for this problem and Turkey had appreciated that gesture.
There have been high level civil and military visits, in fact their top military leaders
visited Pakistan and Pakistani top military leaders responded to that and go back to Turkeyfor
similar visits. Both have great contribution in the multilateral arrangements of CENTO, RCD,
ECO, etc.
Egypt:
Egypt Pakistan relations are normal and cordial; currently they exchanged views on regional
and international issues. However in the past in the 50s and 60s there was a problem
in Pakistans relation with the Egypt. Egypt under Nasser had some reservations due
to Pakistans ties with the West. Pakistan supported Egypt when it was attacked by Israel in
1956, 1967, 1973. The relations began to improve and the cordiality has increased since
1967 and especially after the death of Nasser in 1970.
Libya:
Libyas head of state Col. Qazzafi has been a great well wisher and supporter of Pakistan. He
and his govt extended valuable support to Pakistan in the 70s, this support was not only
diplomatic support but also economic support and in the 70s Libya invested in Pakistan. When
in 1986 American army launched air raids on Libya Pakistan despite its close ties with
America condemned American air raids on Libya, We can look Pakistan and Libya relations in
another dimension since the 70s Pakistani military and civilian retired personnel have been
doing job and employment in Libya and this has been an important bond between the two

countries. Now the Libya is overcoming its problems with the United States Libya Pakistan
relations are becoming friendlier and activated.
Jordan:
Jordan is another example of cordiality and friendship. King Hussein had special regard
for Pakistanand throughout his rule he supported Pakistan. He worked for close relation
with Pakistan. He supported us on India-Pakistan issues. Now his son King Abdullah continued
with this tradition, tradition of friendship, cooperation and supportive to Pakistan on different
issues. Both have an arrangement of cooperation in the military relationship and since the mid
60s Pakistani military personnel were based there in different capacities for training purposes,
which strengthened the relationship between Pakistan and the state of Jordan. Both have
trade and diplomatic exchanges.Pakistan supported Jordan on all international issues
especially in its problems with Israel.
Afghanistan:
Afghanistan is a neighboring state. At the moment Pakistan has good and friendly relations
withAfghanistan but if we go back especially to the early years of independence we do find
problems in the relationship. It was mainly because of the govt of that time questioned the
legitimacy of the Durand Line that is the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and laid
claim Pakistani territory on the name of Pakhunistan. It sided with the Pakhtunistan issue and
created problems forPakistan, but as this issue was pushed to the background with the
passage of time, relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan improved. No matter what
was the relationship between the govt of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the early years the
relationship at the common person level or at the individual level was always cordial. Afghanis
are coming into Pakistan and Pakistanis are going into Afghanistan that has always been the
features. The
Soviet
military
intervention
inAfghanistan in
December
1979, Pakistan opposed the Soviet intervention and supported the resistance against
the Soviet Union which gave birth to the Mujahideen groups, Taliban. Pakistansupported
the Taliban govt in Afghanistan but in Sept 11, 2001when the regional and international
environment changed Pakistan withdrew support to the Taliban, because incident
inAmerica concluded major changes in the world diplomacy. Pakistan got involved in global
efforts to contain terrorism. After Taliban, Karzai government took responsibility
of Afghanistans reconstruction. Pakistan extended all kinds of economic and technological
assistance to the Karzai govt for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan. The interest
of Pakistan is that a friendly neighboring country should stabilize, overcome its problems so
that the refugees that are there nPakistan can go back to their homes in security and they
might have better future there.
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh came into existence in December 1971 in a situation which created a lot of
bitterness inBangladesh against Pakistan and in Pakistan against Bangladesh. So in the initial
years there was a lot of bitterness between the two countries. Bangladesh was East Pakistan
but the internal instability and external conspiracies gave birth to Bangladesh. Pakistan had
initially bitter relations but recognized it in February 1974 and from that time its relation
with Bangladesh have gradually improved. Despite the fact that in the initial years both the
countries have complaints against each other. In the present day context countries have
cordial relations, trade has improved and the visits of senior official and political leaders has
been there. Both worked together within the framework of SAARC, OIC. With the passage of
time the relations of both these countries are going to expand.

Other Muslim Countries:

Then there are other Muslim countries with which Pakistan has good and friendly relations. I
can mention some of the names Indonesia, Malaysia, and then there are Muslim countries in
Africa
likeAlgeria, Tunis, Morocco and Sudan.
With
all
these
countries
I
have
named Pakistan has close and cordial relations. This reflects Pakistans effort to maintain close
relations with the Muslim World which is an important feature of Pakistans foreign policy. This
reflects the aspiration of the people ofPakistan who have been great supporter of Pakistans
relations with the Muslim countries. Whenever there is a problem in the Muslim World the
people of Pakistan have always stood by them and supported them in all respects therefore
the govt of Pakistan has always been doing the same thing because this is enjoin on the govt
from the constitution and this is also part of Pakistans political heritage, this also fits in
Pakistani identity derived from and based on Islam that it must reflect these values in its
foreign policy.