Importance of Pakistan for Muslim countries:-

This discussion is going to be divided into three parts:-

Foundation of Pakistan’s relation with the Muslim World

Multilateral relations with the Muslim World
Bilateral relations or you could say country to country relationship

Foundations:

Pakistan’s relations with the Muslim World and why Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the
Muslim World Pakistan assigns prime importance to its ties and relations with the Muslim World. Pakistan is an
advocate of Pan-Islamism in the International system that is greater unity, greater cooperation amongst the
Muslim states so that they can affectively project and protect their interests.

Another considerations support to Muslim causes at the International level whether you are talking of
international forums or bilateral levels Pakistan has supported Muslim causes at any level in the World. The
principles of policy in all the constitutions carry special attachment for Muslims and their heritage. The love for
Muslim brotherhood continued during and after the independence.

Support for Independence:

After becoming independent Pakistan championed the cause of liberation of those Muslim states that were under
foreign control or domination and in this connection we can talk about Pakistan’s full moral support for the
independence of Indonesia, Tunis, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Sudan and Eritrea. You would remember that Algerian
freedom movement went on for a long time and Pakistan was a great supporter of their freedom movement and
when Algeria became independent Pakistan welcomed this positive change that another Muslim country had
become independent and sovereign.

Palestine:

Second issue that can be raised here is the Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian cause. There is a consistency and
continuity in Pakistan’s support to the Palestinian cause. Pakistan, being a Muslim state, always sided with the
national rights of the Palestinian people. It strongly supported the independent Palestinian state. Sharing grievous
concern over the atrocities inflicted on the Muslims, it condemned the Israeli policies. And Pakistan has criticized
time and again quite bitterly the atrocities that Israel commits against the Palestine from time to
time. Pakistan supported their right to have sovereign and independent state.

Organization of Islamic Conference:

OIC which is a manifestation of the Muslim World and a concept of Pan-Islamism. Organization of Islamic
Conference is the largest Muslim forum in the world. Pakistan was very active in creating this forum and it had
remained associated with the OIC right from the beginning of this organization Pakistan was among the 51 Muslim
nations which attended the inaugural session in Rabat (1969). Its second conference was held at Lahore in 1974, its
session held at the city chambers in the city of Lahore which was a matter of great honour and pride
for Pakistan that the heads of states, govts and the top leaders of the Muslim World were present in Pakistan for
sometime.

Economic Assistance and Investment in Pakistan from the Middle East:

Some of the Middle East Countries had been extending economic cooperation to Pakistan from the beginning,
trade relations were there from the beginning. Further more; Pakistan extends military training facilities to the
number of the Gulf States and other Middle Eastern States in Pakistani institutions. Pakistan military personnel
retired and serving also go these countries for different trainings and staff appointments. We all know another
dimension of relationship between Pakistan and the Middle Eastern States that is thousands of thousands of
Pakistanis are employed in different states of the Gulf region and other Middle Eastern Muslim states and from
these states these Pakistanis working there send part of their earnings back home and this becomes an important
source of earning, foreign exchange earning for Pakistani state.

Rights of Muslim Minorities in different counties:

There is another dimension at multilateral level that pertains to the rights and issues of Muslim minorities in
different countries of the World. Muslims are living as minorities that is where majority community is Non-Muslim.
The rights and interests of Muslim minorities living in other countries is a matter of interest for Pakistan and its
people. Usually Pakistan operated through the organization of Islamic Conference which monitors the rights and
interests of the Muslims living in Non-Muslim majority areas.

Muslim World:

Now we move on to the third part of our lecture today which deals with country to country relationship that
is Pakistan’s 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 Pakistan’s 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:
Let’s 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 and Saudi 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’.

UAE, Kuwait and other Gulf States:

The second important relationship is with UAE, Kuwait and other Gulf States. As a matter of
fact Pakistan 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 cordial relations with Pakistan. The new era of economic relations has set in after the
Gawadar port was built.

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. Iran’s King was also the first head of state who
visited Pakistan after it came into existence. Pakistan and Iran had worked together in different organizations; both
had joint arrangements in regard to CENTO which was earlier called as the BAGHDAD PACT, RCD, and ECO in
addition to other global organizations where they are partners.

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 supported Pakistan. On Kashmir Turkey has
supported Pakistan and called for a peaceful resolution. If Turkey had been supportive
of Pakistan then Pakistan has also supported in all kinds of situations especially on the Cyprus issue. 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. 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. 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:
Libya’s 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, 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. 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 with Afghanistan 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. After Taliban,
Karzai government took responsibility of Afghanistan’s 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 in Pakistan 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
in Bangladesh against Pakistan and in Pakistan against Bangladesh. So in the initial years there was a lot of
bitterness between the two countries. 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
like Algeria, Tunis, Morocco and Sudan. With all these countries I have named Pakistan has close and cordial
relations. This reflects Pakistan’s effort to maintain close relations with the Muslim World which is an important
feature of Pakistan’s foreign policy. This reflects the aspiration of the people of Pakistan who have been great
supporter of Pakistan’s 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 Pakistan’s political heritage, this also fits in Pakistani identity derived from and based on Islam that it must
reflect these values in its foreign policy.