CLASS: 10th PAKISTAN STUDIES NOTES

Chapter 2 Foreign Policy of Pakistan

1. What is meant by “Durand Line”?
Answer
Durand Line is a borderline between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was made in the
year 1893. Afghanistan accepted the Durand Line as its international border.
2. What are the responsibilities of the United Nations General Assembly?
Answer
Its responsibilities include electing the non-permanent members of the security
council, giving membership to a new state and terminating the membership of
some state, approving the budget of the United Nations and taking measures to
established world peace etc.

3. What are the responsibilities of the Economic and Social Council?

Answer
Its responsibilities include raising the standard for a living man, trying for
economic and social development, collaboration in the educational, scientific and
cultural fields, taking measures to eradicate unemployment poverty and diseases
etc.
4. When was the border settlement made between Pakistan and Iran?
Answer
The border settlement was made between Pakistan and Iran in 1957.
5. Between which two countries the Indus water treaty signed?
Answer
Indus water treaty was signed between Pakistan and India in 1960. It resolved the
water dispute between the two countries.
6. When did the relations between Pakistan and the people’s Republic of China
begin?
Answer
When China was declared a Republic in 1949 ,Pakistan immediately recognized
it .Diplomatic relation between Pakistan and China started in 1950 .Pakistan-
China friendly relations started in 1954-55, both countries were tied with each
other. Their friendship was based on the sincere emotions of the people.
7. Write the names of ten member countries of the OIC.
Answer
1. Pakistan 2. Iran
3. Saudi Arabia 4.Egypt
5. Syria 6. Iraq
7, Turkey 8.Tajikistan
 9. Azerbaijan 10.Turkmenistan

8. When was Kashmir issue presented in the UNO?

Answer
Kashmir issue was presented in the UNO in the year 1948.

9. When and where did the World Trade Centre tragedy take place?
Answer
The tragedy of the World Trade Centre took place in New York on 11th September
2001.
10.Write the introduction of Bhutan in three lines.
Answer
Bhutan is a mountainous country. Its capital is Thimphu. The people of Bhutan
belong to the Mongol Tribe. The religion of the majority of people is Buddhism.
11. When was the border settlement made between British India and
Afghanistan .
Answer :Border Settlement between British India and Afghanistan was made in
1893.
12.Write down the names of six Central Asian States which got independence
from USSR.
Answer . In 1991, six Central Asian States got independence from USSR:
1. Azerbaijan. 2. Tajikistan. 3. Turkmenistan. 4. Kazakhstan. 5. Kyrgyzstan
6. Uzbekistan.
13. Write down any three major contributions of Pakistan towards world
peace.
Answer. Pakistan's contribution towards peace keeping in the world is worth
mentioning. Following are the three major contributions of Pakistan in this regard.
1. Pakistan sent its army to Congo, Bosnia and several other countries in the world
for restoring peace.
2. Pakistan has always supported right of self-determination for the oppressed
nations like Kashmiris and Palestinians.
3. Pakistan played an effective role in war against terror.
14. What do you understand by Indus Waters Treaty?
Answer. India and Pakistan had a dispute over the sharing of water rights to the
Indus River and its tributaries. In April of 1948, India cut water supplies in the
canals irrigating the areas in the vicinity of Lahore causing great damage to the
ripe crops. To solve this issue, with the cooperation of the World Bank, in 1960
both countries agreed to a treaty called the Indus Waters Treaty. According to this
treaty, Pakistan got the right of using the waters of three western rivers (Jhelum,
Indus, Chenab) while India got the right of three eastern rivers Sutlej, Beas, Ravi )
15. Write down any three basic objectives of Pakistan's Foreign Policy.
Answer. Following are the three basic objectives of Pakistan's Foreign Policy:
1.Territorial Sovereignty and Security: Security of borders and preservation of
sovereignty is the prime objective of our Foreign Policy.
2. Protection of ideology of Pakistan: Pakistan is an Ideological state with
Islamic base. The stability of Pakistan is linked to the protection of her ideology.
3.Development of Economy: Pakistan is a developing country. To develop her
economy, promotion of free trade, free economy and privatization is another
important objective of our foreign policy.
16.When and what did the Security Council suggest the solution of Kashmir
issue?
Answer. On 21st April 1948, the Security Council decided that Kashmir's future
would be according to the will of the people of the state. A plebiscite would be
carried out under the supervision of the United Nations which will determine the
fate of Kashmir.
17.Describe location of Pakistan with respect to its neighbours.
Answer: Pakistan is situated in the South of the Continent of Asia. Pakistan shares
its Eastern border with India, northern border with China, north western border
with Afghanistan and western border with Iran whereas Arabian Sea is in the South
of Pakistan.
18. How is Pakistan facilitating Afghanistan in its trade relations with other
countries?
Answer: Afghanistan is a landlocked country as it does not have an access to any
sea. Afghanistan was facing difficulty in establishing trade relations with other
countries. Keeping this situation in view, Pakistan provided transit facilities to
Afghanistan. Permission was accorded to transport goods from and to the sea ports
of Pakistan. This is how Pakistan is facilitating Afghanistan in its trade relations
with other countries.
19.What does SAARC stand for? When was it set up? Write its basic aim.
Answer: SAARC stands for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It
was established in 1985. The basic aim of this organization was to increase joint
cooperation among the member countries.
 Long Questions
Q1. What are the basic principles of the foreign policy of Pakistan?
Answer
Basic Principles of Foreign Policy of Pakistan
A country frames its foreign policy in the light of its domestic policies. The foreign
policy of a country does not remain static but it changes according to time and
circumstances Pakistan’s principles of foreign policy are its ideology and national
integration.
Pakistan came into being on 14th of August 1947 and it inherited the legacy of
foreign policy from British India. However, it made some adjustments following
its ideology and objectives of Pakistan movement. Its foreign policy was
determined by three factors (i) Security (ii) Development (iii) Ideology. Its security
has remained the core stones of its foreign policy because of its geographical
location and historical background. Its relationship with superpowers and regional
powers have been fluctuating according to political weather, injecting a permanent
feeling of uncertainty in their friendship. Thus, Pakistan’s foreign policy of
changed to exigencies of time and requirement of international situation; However,
Pakistan evolved some basic principles of foreign policy which are as under.
1. National Security:
National Security occupies first place in the foreign policy of Pakistan since its
independence Pakistan’s national security is being threatened by India because
British left the Kashmir issue is there Pakistan needs to maintain its national
security or independence. It is why the main principle of its foreign policy is
national security.
2. Economic Interest:
Pakistan as a developing country is also needed to establish and maintain cordial
relations with those states with whom it can maximize its trade relations or from
whom it can obtain maximum economic aid.
3. Islamic Solidarity:
Pakistan would pursue its ideological objective and would like to achieve the
objectives of Islamic Solidarity by promoting its relations with the Islamic world
and by preserving its Islamic Ideology.
4. Peaceful Co-existence:
Pakistan would believe in peaceful co-existence and would respect the other
countries territorial integrity and sovereignty and non-interference in other’s
internal affairs.
5. Non-Alignment:
 Pakistan had followed the policy of neutrality and had not aligned itself with any
block. When the non-aligned movement was formed it joined it and remained an
active member of it.
6. Bilateralism:
Pakistan has tried to settle its differences with neighbouring countries, including
India through bilateral negotiations.
7. United Nations:
Pakistan has faith in the United Nations and has extended full support to the United
Nations actions by contributing military as well as personnel for implementing its
decisions.

Q2. Explain the objectives of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Answer
Foreign Policy Objectives
In light of the guiding principles laid down by the founding fathers and the
constitution as also aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the objectives of foreign
policy can be summarized as under:
1. Promotion Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate and democratic Islamic
country.
2. Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially major
powers and immediate neighbours.
3. Safeguarding national security and geostrategic interests, including Kashmir.
4. Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with the international
community.
5. Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad
6. Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and international
cooperation.
Q3. Analyze the relations between India and Pakistan.
Answer
Pak-India Relations
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained by several
historical and political issues, and are defined by the violent partition of
British India in 1947, the Kashmir dispute and the numerous military
conflicts fought between the two nations. Consequently, even though the
two South Asian nations share historic, cultural, geographic and economic
links, their relationship has been plagued by hostility and suspicion.
After the dissolution of the British Raj in 1947, two new sovereign nations
were formed- the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The subsequent
partition of former British India displaced up to 12.5 million people, with
estimates of the loss of life varying from several hundred thousand to a million.
India emerged as a secular nation with a Hindu majority population and a large
Muslim minority while Pakistan was established as an Islamic republic with an
overwhelming Muslim majority population.
Soon after their independence, India and Pakistan established diplomatic
relations but the violent partition and numerous territorial disputes would
overshadow their relationship. Since their independence, the two countries
have fought three major wars, one undeclared war and have been involved in
numerous armed skirmishes and military standoffs. The Kashmir dispute is
the main centre-point of all these conflicts except the Indo-Pakistan War of
1971, which resulted in the secession of East Pakistan.
There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship-notably, the
Shimla summit, the Agra summit and the Lahore summit. Since the early 1980s
relations between the two nations soured particularly after the Siachen conflict,
the intensification of Kashmir insurgency in 1989. The 2001 Indian Parliament
attack almost brought the two nations on the brink of a nuclear war. The 2007
Samjhauta Express bombings, which killed 68 civilians, was also a crucial point
in relations. Additionally, the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistani
militants resulted in a severe blow to the ongoing India-Pakistan peace talks.

Q4. China is Pakistan’s neighbouring country which has always

supported Pakistan in difficult times elaborate.
Answer
Pak-China Relationships
A country’s existence can’t stay for much longer if the country doesn’t have
good relations with some other countries. Relations are mostly built with
those countries that are strong and powerful in every aspect such as U.S.A
and China. Fortunately, Pakistan has good relations with both of the
superpowers of the world U.S.A and China, especially with China. Pakistan
and China are close to each other since 1951. Pakistan has always stood as
an ally with China and Pakistan was also the first country who supported
China in gaining a recognized name in the world and today, we can see the
results of Pakistan’s support. Pakistan helped China in becoming what it has
become now. Pak-China relations became stronger at the time of
international isolation in the 1960s
China supported Pakistan in every way possible in return of all the favours
Pakistan gave to China. China helped Pakistan by giving support of its
military, its economic assistance, its technical assistance and arranged
nuclear equipment for Pakistan and there many other uncountable ways in
which China helped Pakistan just to return the favour and also to maintain
Pak-China relationship. According to the analysis of experts, it is believed
that as the relationship will get better between U.S.A and India then Pak-
China relation will grow stronger as China is always there to provide
security to its greatest ally Pakistan.
Pakistan has strong trust in China in every aspect and same is the case with
China. Pakistan stood up with China and started supporting it mainly after
the defeat of China in 1949. To improve the diplomatic relations with China
Trans-Karakorum tract was ceded by Pakistan which was going to China. In
this way, not only Pak-China diplomatic relation got improved but also
China’s border disputes came to an end with India.
When it comes to supporting Pakistan through military then China is always
there for Pakistan as China has extremely strong ties of defense with
Pakistan and China is very satisfied with it. These defense ties give
assurance to Pakistan that China is there to provide a counter to any bad
influence from USA and India. There is several defense projects that are
ongoing between Pakistan and China in these recent years, there are also
been some agreements regarding this due to which Pak-China relations have
got strengthened in all these years. To the Army of Pakistan, most of the
military equipment are issued by China and this has been happening since
1962. China has also helped Pakistan is establishing ammunition factories
with which it also provided technical assistance to Pakistan to modernize the
existing facilities Pakistan has.
The country that has invested the most in Gwadar Pakistan seaport in China.
China is trying its best so Pakistan’s current situations can get better. It even
provided its support to protect Pakistan from terrorism so the name of the
country Pakistan can get cleared in the eyes of the people of the world.
Citizens of both countries strongly hope that Pak-China relation gets
stronger and stays longer.
Q5. Explain the relations between Pakistan and Iran.
Answer
Pak-Iran Relationship
We can know the Pak-Iran relations better if we go back to Indo-Iranian
ancestry, but it is better to count the relationship after the establishment of
Pakistan in 1947. The relation between the two countries started when Iran
became the first country in the whole world to know Pakistan.
Iran is considered as the most important neighbour of Pakistan because of its
great help. And it is said that in the future these two countries will depend on
one each other for economic development. The relations between Iran and
Pakistan are old and are known all over the world. Some of the cultural
things of Iran are adopted by Pakistan.
 In Pak-Iran relations, it must be said that the element that binds these two
countries together in Islam. If we took at the time before the independence
of Pakistan, Pakistani people were closer to Iranians than Indian living in the
sub-continent. Pak-Iran relationships were that stronger in the late
19th century that Persian was included in the languages spoken all over
Pakistan. Even today many of the words of Urdu are taken from the Persian
language and Persian is taught now in many educational institutes of
Pakistan.
Due to some conflicts with Arab counties, Iran became unsecured but after
the emergence of a Non-Arab Muslim country, its security became strong.
Iran supported Pakistan in every problem after it emerges as a country on the
map of the world. The first prime minister of Pakistan visited Iran first in
1949 and the head of Ira did the same in the year 1950. In the honour of the
head of Iran Pakistani national anthem was also played in the year 1950.
the honour of the head of Iran Pakistani national anthem was also played in
the year 1950. After this, the relationship between Iran and Pakistan became
stronger than ever before. In this way, a sense of brotherhood was created
according to the Islamic rules and regulations that all the Muslims are
brothers to each other.
After the stability of Pakistan, Iran and Turkey along with Pakistan created
an organization for social development of the countries that were the part of
the organization. It was named as Regional cooperation for development
(RCD). It was established in 1964. Due to some issues, its name was later
changed and the organization was called ECO. This organization bounded
all the Muslim countries together. Pakistan was the first country which
introduced the Revolutionary government in Iran.
Pakistan played a great role in the Pak-Iran relationship. When the war
between Iran and Iraq was set, Pakistan tried to settle disputes between the
two Muslim countries. The relationship between Pakistan and Iran is really
powerful and these two countries share each sorrow and happiness. These
two countries considered Islamic values and acted as brothers to each other.
Q6. Analyze the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Answer
Pak-Afghan Relationship
On accords, the everlasting relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan
started in August 1947 however the bondage of Pak-Afghan between its people
goes beyond Indo-Pak partition due to common religious, cultural, traditional,
linguistic and ethnic ties shared on both sides.
The common border is 2240 km long and formally known as Durand Line.
The fact is that Pakistan’s western border which encompassed KPK FATA
and some Northern Balochistan is inhibited by people, clans and tribes of the
same origin, race, religion, norms, culture and language as those who are
residing on the other side of the border e.g. Afghanistan. Majority of
individuals from these Pashtun tribes have marital relationships with
families across Pak-Afghan Border on both sides.
The existence predominant Pashtun tribes living in this strip can be dated
back to thousands of years. It is the same ethnic clan through which many
rulers and dynasties ruled in sub-continent. Ahmad Shah Abdai who ruled
and liberated people of Punjab from Marhattas in the famous battle of
Panipat (1761) is a well known historical figure in this regard. Many
prominent individuals from Pashtun Tribes served in important military and
political posts of both countries e.g. Ayub Khan, Ghulam Ishaaq Khan,
Asfandyaar Wali Khan etc from Pakistan and renowned Zahir Shah family
and Karzais from Afghanistan. resent Karzai Government has the majority
of Pashtuns
serving as minister e.g Abdul Rahim Wardak, Umer Zakhilwal, Anwar ul
Haq Ahady etc. So, the people of this clan (which from the majority in
Afghanistan and Tribal Belts of Pakistan) are playing a significant role of
the development of respective nations. Nothing seems unusual for them
while residing in any place of these countries. Majority of them consider
another country as their second home apart from the one in which they are
living and serving nation. The terrain and lifestyle of people living along the
remote areas of Pak-Afghan border are the same.
During Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, many leaders from
Afghanistan ran their campaigns to liberate Afghanistan from foreign
occupations inside Pashtun tribal belts of Pakistan. President Hamid Karzai
of Afghanistan was the one amongst them. Pakistan raised funds and
military-trained Afghans in these areas to fight against oppression which
they were facing at that time. That era market the best of relations between
Afghanistan and Pakistan as Afghan Muhajir were not only embraced but
also accommodated by their Pakistani brother in KPK and adjacent areas.
Analysts from the west still account it as the best example of “Muslim
Brotherhood” the world had ever witnessed. The fruit ripped and Afghans
with the support of their Pakistani Muslim brothers liberated their homeland
when the aggressors withdrew in 1989.
As Afghanistan is landlocked so most of its trade is carried through
Pakistan. Pakistani Governments always supported this phenomenon but
gave it more shape after the end of Soviet occupations to leverage
 Afghanistan’s economy which was shattered due to war. Still, the Pakistani
Government has not given up. The most recent and noteworthy occasion in
this spectrum is the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement held in
October 2010. It was signed by Commerce Ministers of both sides. A
Memorandum of Understanding was also established to give access to
afghan containers to Wagah and renowned port cities of Karachi and
Gwadar through Pakistani Transport Infrastructure. Both countries also
agreed on the construction of railway tracks in Afghanistan and link them to
the Pakistani ones. This will help Afghanistan to accelerate its trade
activities and raise its economy.
A joint chamber of commerce between the two countries is also established
in November 2010 to add more to the noble cause.
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is of neighbourhood and
ethnicity for others. However, for the people of both these countries, it is not
limited to blood but also of spirit. This is none other than the spirit of
Humanity and the Muslim Brotherhood. As long as the world will exist so
does this spirit.
Q7. Narrate Pakistan’s role in the OIC.
Answer
Pakistan role in OIC
Pakistan continues to enjoy a privileged status in the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation. In terms of population; it is the OICs second largest
members. Being the only Muslim country with nuclear weapons having the
seventh-largest standing military force, through research at NESCOM and
DESTO and a large labour workforce working in various Muslim countries,
play a role in its prominence.
It was under the pretext of the 2nd summit of OCI held in Lahore between
22-24 February 1974, that Pakistan recognized the former or ex-Eastern
Pakistan as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Pakistan had initially not
invited Bangladesh to attend the summit. However, as members of the OIC
group gathered in Lahore, several heads of the state from the Arab world put
pressure on Pakistan’s then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, to invite
Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman to attend. A seven-member delegation from OIC,
in fact, visited Dacca to invite Mujeeb to participate in the summit. As a
result of the 2nd OIC summit, Pakistan formally recognized Bangladesh on
22 February 1974 and Mujeeb was flown by a special aircraft from Dacca to
Lahore to attend the summit. Bhutto subsequently visited Decca in July
1974, established relations on 18 January 1976.
In line with OIC strong stance against the occupation of Palestine by Israel,
Pakistan has continuously adopted a stance against Israel, while maintaining
moral solidarity with Palestine.
Army collaboration
Army Service Corps School has trained up to 30 officers from Muslim
countries like Bangladesh, Bosnia, Maldives, Palestine, Turkey. Pakistan
Army Military College of Signals has trained more than 500 officers from
places such as Burma, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Gambia, Ghana,
Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman,
Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE and Zambia, most of these countries are
members of OIC.
Naval collaboration
More than 1900 officers from Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE,
Bahrain, Qatar, Palestine, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ghana, Jordan,
Kuwait, Libya and Oman have been trained in Pakistan Naval Academy.
Pakistan SSGN has also trained officers from countries like Saudi Arabia,
Egypt, Qatar and Iran.
Military technology collaboration
Pakistan is thought to have developed its atomic bomb programme with
millions of dollars of contributory aid from Saudi Arabia and Libyan oil
wealth.
OIC on the issue of Kashmir
Pakistan has always used OIC as a platform to gather support on the
Kashmir conflict against the Republic of India. In 1969 King Hassan of
Morocco invited the Government of India for the 1969 Summit in Rabat.
But after then ruler Gen. Yahya Khan threatened to walk out, King Hassan
requested the Indian delegates not to attend the meeting.
During the OIC 1994 Conference in Tehran, Pakistan succeeding in
persuading the member’s countries to create the “OIC Contact Group on
Kashmir”.

Q8. Explain the genesis and development of the Kashmir problem.

Answer
A brief history of the Kashmir conflict
The Kashmir dispute date from 1947. The partition of the India sub-
continent along religious lines led to the formation of India and Pakistan.
However, there remained the problem of over 650 states, run by princes,
existing within the two newly independent countries.
In theory, these princely states had the option of deciding which country to
join, or of remaining independent. In practice, the restive population of each
province proved decisive.
The people have been fighting for freedom from British rule, and with their
struggle about to bear fruit, they were not willing to let the princess fill the
vacuum.
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between the Government of
India, Kashmiri insurgent groups and the Government of Pakistan over
control of the Kashmir region. While an inter-state dispute over Kashmir has
existed between India and Pakistan since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 an
internal conflict between Kashmiri insurgents and the Government of India
has continued the main conflict and source of violence in the region since
2002.
India and Pakistan have fought at least three wars over Kashmir, including
the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971 and since 1984 the two
countries have also been involved in several skirmishes over control of the
Siachen Glacier. India claims the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and as
of 2010, administers approximately 43 % of the region, including most of
Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier. India’s claims
are contested by Pakistan, which controls approximately 37 % of Kashmir,
namely Azad Kashmir and the northern areas of Gilgit Baltistan.
The Indian were very insolent and rude towards Pakistan and everyone. The
roots of the conflict between the Kashmiri insurgents and the India
Government are tied to a dispute over local autonomy. Democratic
development was limited in Kashmir until the late 1970s and by 1988 many
of the democratic reforms provided by the India Government had been
reversed and non-violent channels for expressing discontent were limited
and caused a dramatic increase in support for insurgents advocating violent
secession from India. In 1987, a disputed State election created a catalyst for
the insurgency when it resulted in some of the state’s legislative assembly
members forming armed insurgent groups. In July 1988 a series of
demonstrations, strikes and attacks on the Indian Government began the
Kashmir Insurgency which during the 1990s escalated into the most
important internal security issue in India.
The turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in thousands of deaths but
has become less deadly in recent years. There have been protesting
movements in Indian Administered Kashmir since 1989. The movements
were created to voice Kashmir’s disputes and grievances with the India
government, specifically the Indian Military. Elections held in 2008 were
 generally regarded as fair by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, had a high voter turnout despite calls by militants for a boycott.

Q9. Comprehend Pakistan’s relations with the central Asian countries.

Answer
Pakistan and the Central Asian States Introduction
The Central Asian States, i.e. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with a total population of over 60 million
spread over an area of about four million square kilometres, are located on
historical Silk Route. The region has adjoining borders with South Asia;
West Asia, China and Russia are is of great geostrategic and politico-
economic importance. Its potential is attracting the attention of extra-
regional powers.
Pakistan- Central Asia relations rebased on geographical proximity, common
history, religion, culture, traditions, values and destiny. Pakistan and these states
can work together in matters of security, stability and development of the region.
They can collaborate in numerous areas, such as scientific and technical fields,
banking, insurance, information technology, pharmaceutical industry, tourism and
media. The economics of CAS and Pakistan are complementary to each other.
There is cooperation in several spheres, notably, the war against terrorism,
combating religious extremism and drug trafficking.
CURRENT SCENARIO OF RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND
CENTRAL ASIAN STATES
1. ECO, PAKISTAN AND Central Asian States
Pakistan and the Central Asian states are also the members of the Economic
Cooperation Organization; it provides a good opportunity for the Heads of State
and Government to meet. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines offer a closer focus on
bilateral relations.
2. Common Security Policy
There is a desire in Pakistan that the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
of the Central Asian States, which is an economic grouping, should try to assume a
political role and in due course of time also aspire to the possibility of the
geopolitical and geo-economic role.
ECO may help in adopting a common security policy on similar grounds as
pursued by EU in the European States combating religious extremism and
Terrorism.
3. Trade and Economic Cooperation
Pakistan should concentrate on the economic and trade ties with the Central Asian
States.
An important agreement has been concluded with Germany for a rail-rode from
Hamburg to Shanghai, through Eastern Europe. Moscow, Tashkent, Kabul, Lahore,
Delhi and Shanghai. This would open the rich mineral deposits of Uzbekistan and
Kazakhstan for exploration and export by Pakistan and through the Arabian Sea
again, with a new railway road from the Khyber Pass to the Russian land.
4. Investing in Untapped Natural Resources of Central Asian States
Although the Central Asian States are land-locked and dependent on other regional
partners for export purposes still all eyes are set on the central Asian States. The
Caspian Sea in Central Asia contains the world’s largest untapped oil and gas
resources. All countries in the region are getting close to the Central Asian States
and they geared up their trade. Pakistan’s loans of dollar 10 to 30 million to each of
the Central Asian States and its commitment to cooperate in the building of dollar
50 million hydel power station in Tajikistan are some of the many indicators of its
keen wish to assist them in their economic development.
5. Direct Air link
The expansion of PIA’s air network to Tashkent in Uzbekistan and Alma Ata in
Kazakhstan is a major step forward in cementing ties with these two states. The
PIA has finalized plans for air services to the capitals of the other three Central
Asian States.
6. Cooperation in Admission to OIC
Pakistan cooperated with the Central Asian States in their admission to the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
7. Communication Network and Media exchanges
Radio Pakistan is working on projects to strengthen its service for the Central
Asian region so that the people there can be informed and educated about Pakistan
in their native languages.
An expansion of Pakistan Television’s transmission facilities in Peshawar can
enable it to beam its TV programmes to the entire Central Asian region, covering
all of Afghanistan as well.
Media exchanges between Pakistan and the Central Asian States are at present
skimpy and their canvas must be expanded rapidly.
8. Establishment of Joint Economic Commission
Pakistan developed an institutionalized arrangement to promote cooperation in the
economic and commercial fields. For this purpose, Joint Economic Commissions
have been established with all the Central Asian States.
9. Technical Assistance programme
 Under Technical Assistance Program initiated in 1992-3, Pakistan provided
training facilities, which are fully funded. The Program includes courses ranging
from English language, banking and accountancy to diplomacy. These have
contributed and closer cooperation. Pakistan wishes to keep up the momentum.
MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONS WITH CENTRAL ASIAN
STATES
ollowing measures and implementations will improve the ties between Pakistan
and Central Asian states.
1. Pakistan-An attraction of Shortest Land Route
Pakistan would enjoy the role of middle man between the SAARC, ECO and EEC
and the attraction of the shortest land route to the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf
and the Black Sea would give discomfort to Russia.
2. Encourage Mutual Trade
The Government of Pakistan, despite its economic difficulties, should provide
more credit facilities to the Central Asian States to encourage mutual trade and
setting up of stable banking channels.
3. Better Port Facilities for Handling the Transit Trade
Despite their ethnic bonds with Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, the Central Asian
States can benefit more from Pakistan’s port facilities, trade and commerce with
the countries in tire Southern Hemisphere.
The ports of Abadan and Bander Abbas in Iran and the Karachi port in Pakistan
can handle this transit trade by expanding their facilities rapidly. The Tajib capital
of Dushanbe is about 3000 kilometres from Bander Abbas in Iran and about 2200
kilometres from Karachi while the Black Sea port of Odessa for access to the
Mediterranean is about 4200 kilometres away.
4. Speedy Implementation of Projects
Bilaterally and through the ECO, many schemes and projects for intra-regional
cooperation in trade and travel, industrial enterprises as joint ventures, banking and
exchange of technology and technical know-how are rapidly emerging whose
speedy implementation would be to their mutual advantage.
5. Expertise in the banking system to be shared
A strong, modern banking system capable of operating internationally without
dependence on or control by Moscow, is a dire need of all Central Asian States and
Pakistan has the expertise and the infrastructure to assist them in this direction.
6. Joint Shipping Company to be established
The landlocked Central Asian states can even set up a joint shipping company with
Pakistan under the aegis of the E.C.O to handle a large part of their transit trade.
7. Gwadar Port- An Asset for Pakistan and the Central Asian States
 If Pakistan speeds up the development of the Gwadar port on the Balochistan coast
into a large-size modern port, it can be an asset for this province as well as for the
Central Asian States.
8. Trade via the Land Route
Kazakhstan’s ruling leaders, who are energetically improving their relation with
Beijing, have shown interest in building rail and road links with Urumchi, capital
of the Chinese province of Xinjiang, and thus using the Karakorum Highway
between Pakistan and China for trade via the land route.
9. Cheap Air Cargo Service
A cheap and regular air cargo service between Pakistan and the Central Asian
states in the need of the hour.
10.Dynamic Railway Network
The Pakistan railway network, which runs Zahidan in Iran, should be linked via
Iran with Turkmenistan, Pakistan and China are now working on the expansion of
the Sino-Pakistan and Karakorum Highway in such a way that it will be extended
to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan will give a boost to intra-regional trade
among these states.
11.Pakistan to invite senior edits of newspapers of Central Asian States
Pakistan should invite senior editors of newspapers of the Central Asian to
Pakistan and provide them with ample opportunities to know facts for themselves
and to study Pakistan’s economic development, especially its industrialization, in
the past 48 years of its independence.
12.Business Encouragement backed by the Governments of Pakistan in the
Central Asian States
With Governmental encouragements, Pakistani entrepreneurs can set up industrial
units in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states, especially for
footwear, textiles, building materials, agro-processing, cold storage,
petrochemicals, garments and pharmaceuticals.
13.Cooperation Between the Universities
There is immense scope for cooperation between the Universities of Pakistan and
those in the Central Asian States. Pakistan, which has a low literacy rate of 30 per
cent of their population literate. It would have a salubrious effect on their relations
with Pakistan for their mutual benefit.
14.Improved Regional Security is to be improved
15.Pakistan’s relations with the Central Asian Republics have may well progress
during the past few years.
16.The Trans-Afghanistan pipeline would export Turkmen gas via Afghanistan to
Pakistan, from where it could reach world markets. Proponents of the project see it
as a modern continuation of the Silk Road.
17.The Asian Development Bank is the leading coordinating financial and technical
partner.
Conclusion
The stabilization and steady expansion of these relations may take time and would
require deft, patient and wise handling on the part of the States concerned. A time
may come, perhaps sooner than expected, when Turkey, Pakistan, Iran,
Afghanistan and the six West and the Central Asian States; having a population of
nearly 300 million and an area larger than that of the SAARC region, may form a
Common Market.
Q10. Describe Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia.
Answer
Pak Saudi relations
The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan are historically and internationally close and extremely
friendly, occasionally described as constituting a special relationship.
As two of the world’s leading Islamic states as well as the power brokers in the
Muslim world, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have sought to develop extensive
commercial, cultural, religious and strategic relations since the establishment of
Pakistan in 1947. Even today, the relationship with Saudi Arabia represents the
most “important and bilateral partnership” in the current Foreign policy of
Pakistan, working and seeking to develop closer bilateral ties with the Saudi
Arabia, the largest country on the Arabian peninsula and host to the two holiest
cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina and the destination of Muslim pilgrims from
across the world.
Development of bilateral relations
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are leading members of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation. Saudi Arabia was one of the strongest supporters of Pakistan during
Pakistan’s wars with India, especially opposing the creation of Bangladesh from
Pakistan’s eastern wing in 1971. While it had supported Pakistan’s stance on the
Kashmir conflict, it has since endorsed the Indo-Pakistan peace process. With
Pakistan, it provided extensive financial and political support to the Taliban and
the Afghan mujahidin fighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
During the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, Pakistan sent troops to protect the Islamic
holy sites in Saudi Arabia, but strains developed when some Pakistan politicians
and Gen. Mirza Aslam Baig the then chief of staff of the Pakistani army openly
expressed support for Saddam Hussain regime in Iraq and its invasion of Kuwait.
Along with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were the only
states to recognize Taliban rule in Afghanistan. In May 1998
Saudi Arabia was the only country that was taken in complete confidence by Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif on Pakistan’s decision on performing an atomic test in
Weapon-testing laboratories-III in the region of the Chagai Hills. After the ordered
the atomic tests, Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, were the only
countries to backed Pakistan and congratulated the country for making the “bold
decision”. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia promised to supply 50,000 barrels per day of
free oil to help Pakistan cope with likely economic sanctions in the aftermath.
Military cooperation
Pakistan maintains close military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing extensive
support, arms and training for the Saudi Arabian military. Fighter Pilots of the
Pakistan Air Force flew aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force to repel an incursion
from South Yemen in 1969. In the 1970s and 1980s, approximately 15,000
Pakistani soldiers were stationed in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has negotiated the
purchase of Pakistani ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Both
nations have received high label delegations of scientists, government and Saudi
military experts of seeking to study the development of a Saudi nuclear
programme.
Cultural and economic ties
Saudi Arabia has also provided extensive religious and educational aid to Pakistan,
being a major contributor to the construction of mosques and Madrassa across
Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Since 1947, the
far-right political parties have been receiving funding for their political activities in
our country. The major Pakistani city of Lyallpur was also renamed Faisalabad in
honour of King Faisal in 1977. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was awarded the
Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian decoration of Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia Is the largest source of petroleum for Pakistan. It also supplies
extensive financial aid to Pakistan and remittance from Pakistani migrants to Saudi
Arabia is also a major source of foreign currency. In recent years, both countries
have exchanged high-level delegations and developed plans to expand bilateral
cooperation in trade, education, real estate, tourism, information technology,
communications and agriculture. Saudi Arabia is aiding the development of trade
relations with Pakistan through the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which Pakistan
is negotiating a free trade agreement; the volume of trade between Pakistan and
GCC member states in 2006 stood at USD 11 billion.