Editing Foreign relations of Pakistan (section)

==Foreign policy of Pakistan==

'''Pakistan's foreign policy''' 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'.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Foreign Policy |url=https://mofa.gov.pk/foreign-policy-2/ |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs – MOFA}}</ref>

Pakistan's foreign policy is meant to formalize and define its interactions with foreign nations and standardize interactions with organizations, corporations and individual citizens.<ref name="Scrib, 19 November 2012">{{cite web|last=Ahmad|first=Hafeez Ashfaq|title=Determinants of Foreign Policy of Pakistan|via=Scribd |date=19 November 2012|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/30773560/Foreign-Policy-of-Pakistan|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="Official policy statements">{{cite web|title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=http://www.mofa.gov.pk/mfa/pages/home.aspx |work=Pakistan Government |publisher=Official policy statements |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031125313/http://www.mofa.gov.pk/mfa/pages/home.aspx |archive-date=31 October 2012}}</ref> Backed by the semi-agricultural and semi-industrialized [[Economy of Pakistan|economy]], Pakistan is the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|47th largest]] (nominal GDP, 2021) and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|23rd largest]] ([[Purchasing power parity|purchasing]]) economic power and [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|6th largest military]] in the world, with a defence budget of {{USD|11.4 billion|link=yes}} (2018)<ref>{{cite web |title=Military expenditure by country, in constant (2017) US$ m., 1988–2018 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Data%20for%20all%20countries%20from%201988%E2%80%932018%20in%20constant%20%282017%29%20USD%20%28pdf%29.pdf |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=2 July 2019 |date=2019}}</ref> 4.0% of its GDP (2018).<ref>{{cite web |title=Military expenditure by country as percentage of gross domestic product, 1988–2018 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Data%20for%20all%20countries%20from%201988%E2%80%932018%20as%20a%20share%20of%20GDP%20%28pdf%29.pdf |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=2 July 2019 |date=2018}}</ref> The [[Foreign Minister of Pakistan]] is the official charged with state-to-state diplomacy, although the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime minister]] maintains an ultimate authority over foreign policy.<ref name="Scrib, 19 November 2012"/> The state foreign policy includes defining the [[national interest]], as well as the economic interest and strategies chosen both to safeguard that and to achieve its policy goals.<ref name="Scrib, 19 November 2012"/><ref name=":2" /> Following the [[Pakistan elections|general election]] held in [[2013 Pakistani general election|May 2013]], Tariq Fatimi and [[National Security Council of Pakistan|NSA]] [[Sartaj Aziz]] were designated as advisers to the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] on foreign and strategic policies.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 2013 |title=A Select Summary of News, Views and Trends from the Pakistani Media |url=https://idsa.in/system/files/pnd_Nov2013.pdf |journal=Pakistan News Digest |via=IDSA}}</ref> After the dismissal of Nawaz Sharif's government in July 2017, [[Khawaja Muhammad Asif]] held the portfolio of foreign minister under the premiership of [[Shahid Khaqan Abbasi]].<ref name="Ministry of Foreign Affairs">{{cite web|last=Govt. Pakistan|title=Special Assistant to the Prime Minister|url=http://www.mofa.gov.pk/content.php?pageID=sa|work=Govt. Pakistan|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=6 October 2013|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714051146/http://mofa.gov.pk/content.php?pageID=sa|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Govt. Pakistan (NSA Secretariat)">{{cite web|last=Govt. Pakistan|title=National Security Adviser (NSA) Sartaj Aziz|url=http://www.mofa.gov.pk/content.php?pageID=adviser|work=Govt. Pakistan|publisher=Govt. Pakistan (NSA Secretariat)|access-date=6 October 2013|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162118/http://www.mofa.gov.pk/content.php?pageID=adviser|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the victory of [[Imran Khan|Imran Khan Niazi]] in the [[2018 Pakistani general election|Pakistan General Elections 2018]], [[Shah Mehmood Qureshi]] was named the Minister of Foreign Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Pakistan general elections 2018: Analysis of results and implications |url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/pakistan-general-elections-2018-analysis-of-results-and-implications-46324/ |website=ORF - Observer Research Foundation}}</ref> Subsequently, [[Bilawal Bhutto Zardari]] became foreign minister after the [[2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest|political crisis]]-a position previously held by his grandfather, [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], and [[Hina Rabbani Khar]].

===M A Jinnah's Vision===

In 1947, [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], founder of the state of Pakistan, clearly described the principles and objectives of Pakistan's foreign policy in a broadcast message, which is featured prominently in a quotation on the homepage of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: "The foundation of our foreign policy is friendship with all nations across the globe."<ref name="Mofa">{{cite web |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Homepage |work=MoFA.gov.pk |url=http://www.mofa.gov.pk/index.php |publisher=Government of Pakistan |date=2013 |access-date=4 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318034833/http://www.mofa.gov.pk/index.php |archive-date=18 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 15 August 1947, outlining the foreign policy of Pakistan, [[Quaid-e-Azam]] observed:
<blockquote>"Our objective should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with (the) world at large. We have no aggressive designs against any one. We stand by the United Nations Charter and will gladly make our contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ali |first=Mehrunnisa |title=Jinnah's Perception of Pakistan's Foreign Policy and the Kashmir Issue |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41403967 |journal=Pakistan Horizon |year=1990 |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=57–70 |jstor=41403967 }}</ref></blockquote>

===Historical overview===

{{Further|Arab–Pakistan relations|Pakistan–United Kingdom relations|Pakistan–Soviet Union relations|Pakistan–European Union relations|Uniting for Consensus}}

Since its [[Independence of Pakistan|independence in 1947]], Pakistan's foreign policy has encompassed difficult relations with the neighbouring [[Soviet Union]] (USSR) who maintained a close military and ideological interaction with the neighbouring countries such as [[Communist Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] (in the [[North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan|West]]) and [[India]] (in [[Eastern Pakistan|East]]).<ref name="US country studies">{{cite web|last=United States Government|title=History of Foreign policy of Pakistan|url=http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/82.htm|work=United States Government|publisher=US country studies|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> During most of 1947–1991, the USSR support was given to [[Republic of India]], over which it has fought three wars on [[Kashmir conflict]].<ref name="US country studies"/> During the 1960s, Pakistan's relations with and neighbouring [[Afghanistan]] have also been extremely difficult due to the latter's contest over the [[Durand Line]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durand Line boundary, Asia |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Durand-Line |website=Britannica|date=14 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan-Afghanistan relations |url=https://pakistan.fes.de/e/pakistan-afghanistan-relations |website=Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung}}</ref> The foreign relations with [[Iran]], [[Turkey]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mushtaq |first=Nadia |date=2004 |title=Pak-Turkey Relations: Towards a Cooperative Future |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45242527 |journal=Strategic Studies |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=89–116 |jstor=45242527 |issn=1029-0990}}</ref> [[Saudi Arabia]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Relations |url=https://parepjeddah.org/pakistan-ksa-relations/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[People's Republic of China|China]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=How China and Pakistan Forged Close Ties |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/how-china-and-pakistan-forged-close-ties |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref> remain important and based on the extensive cooperation in national security and economical interests in the [[Persian Gulf]] and wide-ranging bilateral relations with the United States and other Western countries. With the [[sphere of influence|growing influence]] of the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] in the region, Pakistan cemented close security relations with [[People's Republic of China|China]] in Asia and [[United Kingdom]] and [[Germany]] in Europe during most of the [[Cold War]]. Pakistan has had a fluctuating relationship with the [[United States]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rethinking US-Pakistan Relations in the Age of Great Power Competition |url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/rethinking-us-pakistan-relations-age-great-power-competition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311030807/https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/rethinking-us-pakistan-relations-age-great-power-competition |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2023 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}}</ref> Pakistan played a crucial role in the establishment of US-China relations in the 1970s, mediating between the Henry Kissenger and Mao Zedong.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Staff |date=2021-03-22 |title=Kissinger recognises Pakistan's role in establishing China-US ties |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1613819 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=dawn.com  |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=alpha.singh |date=2021-11-06 |title=How Kissinger's Secret Trip to China Paved Way for Sino-US Relations |url=https://www.wondriumdaily.com/how-kissingers-secret-trip-to-china-paved-way-for-sino-us-relations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006033430/https://www.wondriumdaily.com/how-kissingers-secret-trip-to-china-paved-way-for-sino-us-relations/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 October 2022 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Wondrium Daily |language=en-US }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Foreign relations 1969–1976 |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/frus/nixon/xi/45650.htm |website=US department of state}}</ref> At the same time, it also assisted in establishing relationships with other East Asian countries.<ref name=":3" />

In recent years, Pakistan's ties with Russia have moved away from Cold War-era hostilities,<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Russia–Pakistan Relations and the Constraints of Geoeconomics |url=https://online.ucpress.edu/as/article/62/5-6/838/194531/Russia-Pakistan-Relations-and-the-Constraints-of |access-date=2023-07-11 |journal=Asian Survey|date=2022 |doi=10.1525/as.2022.1801312 |last1=Clary |first1=Christopher |volume=62 |issue=5–6 |pages=838–865 }}</ref> and the chill in the relations between Pakistan and the U.S. has further pushed the country towards Russia and China.<ref name="Imran"/><ref>{{Cite web |editor=Sarmad Ishfaq |title=The Pakistan-Russia-China Bloc: A Consequence of US Actions |url= https://www.paradigmshift.com.pk/pakistan-russia-china/|website=www.paradigmshift.com |date=18 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin as [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia was launching the invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hashim |first=Asad |title=Pakistani PM Khan meets Putin amid Ukraine invasion |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/25/pakistan-imran-putin-russia-ukraine-invasion |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Siddique |first=Abubakar |date=2022-02-25 |title=Pakistani Prime Minister's 'Ill-Timed' Moscow Visit Overshadowed By Ukraine Invasion |language=en |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-khan-moscow-visit-ukraine/31723286.html |access-date=2023-07-11}}</ref> He has previously criticised America's "[[War on terror|War on Terror]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-13 |title=Imran criticises war on terror as misguided venture |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/02/13/us-war-on-terror-bred-more-terrorists-pm-imran-tells-cnn/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> After the fall of the [[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] (PTI) -led coalition government in 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Pakistan's always-troubled democracy is on the brink once again |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/pakistans-always-troubled-democracy-is-on-the-brink-once-again/ |website=Brookings}}</ref> the emergence of multiple crises has exacerbated the instability of its foreign policy.<ref name=A/>

===Pakistan–China relations===
{{Main|China–Pakistan relations}}

China has played a significant role in the development, economy and security of Pakistan, with relationship beginning in 1951 when Pakistan was among the first countries to sever diplomatic ties with the [[Republic of China]] (on [[Taiwan Island]]) and recognizes the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) on [[Mainland China]] as the sole representative. Since then, both countries have placed considerable importance on the maintenance of an extremely close and supportive [[Special relationship (international relations)|special relationship]]<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13418957|title= Pakistani PM hails China as his country's 'best friend'|work=BBC News|access-date=17 May 2011|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/world/asia/13pstan.html|title= Pakistan President to Visit China, a Valued Ally|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=12 October 2008|first=Salman|last=Masood|date=13 October 2008}}</ref> and the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits resulting in a variety of agreements. The PRC has provided economic, military, and technical assistance to Pakistan, and each country considers the other a close strategic ally.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-17/world/china.pakistan.friend_1_minister-yousuf-raza-gilani-chinese-president-hu-jintao-pakistani-counterpart?_s=PM:WORLD|title=Pakistan cements China ties amid tension with U.S|date=17 May 2011|access-date=12 July 2011|work=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727131107/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-17/world/china.pakistan.friend_1_minister-yousuf-raza-gilani-chinese-president-hu-jintao-pakistani-counterpart?_s=PM:WORLD|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7384378.html|title=China, Pakistan joined in bonds of brotherhood|access-date=18 May 2011|work=People's Daily}}</ref> Since the advent of the 21st century, Pakistan and China have strengthened their relations through bilateral trade, military agreements and supporting each other on key issues. The intensifying [[China–United States relations|US-China Strategic Rivalry]] has put Pakistan in an extremely difficult situation to maintain ties with both of these states.<ref name=A>{{cite web |title=Pakistan's foreign policy reset hits a dead end |date=13 July 2022 |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/pakistans-foreign-policy-reset-hits-a-dead-end/ |publisher=The Australian Strategic Policy Institute |access-date=13 July 2022}}</ref> Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused [[UN Human Rights Office report on Xinjiang]] were "taken out of context",<ref>{{cite web |title=We're tired of conflict': Pakistan treads carefully on Ukraine war; hails relationship with China |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-bilawal-bhutto-zardari-ukraine-china-3141081 |website=CNA}}</ref> and Pakistan supports China's activities for socio-economic development, harmony and peace, and stability.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan supports China's efforts for peace and socio-economic development in Xinjiang: FO |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1708727 |website=dawn.com |date=6 September 2022 |access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>

A cornerstone of the success of China's [[Belt and Road Initiative]] (BRI) is the [[China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]] (CPEC). CPEC contains initiatives worth a total of $62 billion, such as infrastructure, energy, economic zones, and the development of the Gwadar port. A Chinese spokesperson said in 2022 that "the bond of friendship and mutual assistance between the Chinese and Pakistani people is stronger than gold, and the two countries' iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the people and boasts strong vitality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How China and Pakistan Forged Close Ties |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/how-china-and-pakistan-forged-close-ties |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref>

=== Muslim world ===
{{Main|Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Pakistan–Turkey relations|Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations|Pakistan–Iran relations|Afghanistan–Pakistan relations}}

After Independence, Pakistan vigorously pursued bilateral relations with other Muslim countries<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjJuAAAAMAAJ&q=islamistan|title=Islam in Pakistan's foreign policy|last=Pasha|first=Sayed Abdul Muneem|publisher=Global Media Publications|year=2005|isbn=9788188869152|page=225|quote=Pakistan's expression of solidarity was followed, after Independence, by a vigorous pursuit of bilateral relations with Muslim countries like Iran and Turkey.}}</ref> and made a wholehearted bid for leadership of the [[Muslim world]], or at least for leadership in achieving its unity.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjJuAAAAMAAJ&q=islamistan|title=Islam in Pakistan's foreign policy|last=Pasha|first=Sayed Abdul Muneem|publisher=Global Media Publications|year=2005|isbn=9788188869152|page=37|quote=Pakistan was making a wholehearted bid for the leadership of the Muslim world, or at least for the leadership in achieving its unity.}}</ref> The [[Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar|Ali]] brothers had sought to project Pakistan as the natural leader of the Islamic world, in large part due to its large manpower and military strength.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjJuAAAAMAAJ&q=islamistan|title=Islam in Pakistan's foreign policy|last=Pasha|first=Sayed Abdul Muneem|publisher=Global Media Publications|year=2005|isbn=9788188869152|page=226|quote=Following Khaliquzzaman, the Ali brothers had sought to project Pakistan, with its comparatively larger manpower and military strength, as the natural leader of the Islamic world.}}</ref> A top-ranking [[All India Muslim League|Muslim League]] leader, [[Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman|Khaliquzzaman]], declared that Pakistan would bring together all Muslim countries into [[Islamistan]] – a pan-Islamic entity.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Z6TBQAAQBAJ&q=islamistan+hussain+haqqani&pg=PA18|title=Creating a New Medina|last=Dhulipala|first=Venkat|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2015|isbn=9781107052123|page=18|quote=As a top ranking ML leader Khaliquzzaman declared, 'Pakistan would bring all Muslim countries together into Islamistan – a pan-Islamic entity'.}}</ref> Such developments (alongside Pakistan's creation) did not get American approval and British Prime Minister [[Clement Attlee]] voiced international opinion at the time by stating that he wished that India and Pakistan would re-unite.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNAiBQAAQBAJ&q=islamistan+hussain+haqqani&pg=PA20|title=Magnificent Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding|last=Haqqani|first=Husain|publisher=PublicAffairs|year=2013|isbn=9781610393171|pages=20–21|quote=Within a few years the president of the Muslim League, Chaudhry Khaliq-uz-Zaman, announced that Pakistan would bring all Muslim countries together into Islamistan – a pan-Islamic entity. None of these developments within the new country elicited approval among Americans for the idea of India's partition ... British Prime Minister Clement Attlee voiced the international consensus at the time when he told the House of Commons of his hope that ''this severance may not endure.'' He hoped that the proposed dominions of India and Pakistan would ''in course of time, come together to form one great Member State of the British Commonwealth of Nations.''}}</ref> Since most of the [[Arab world]] was undergoing a nationalist awakening at the time, there was little attraction to Pakistan's Pan-Islamic aspirations.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TyIVAgAAQBAJ&q=During+this+time+most+of+the+Arab+world+was+going+through+a+nationalist+awakening.+Pan-Islamic+dreams+involving+the+unification+of+Muslim+countries%2C+possibly+under+Pakistani+leadership%2C+had+little+attraction.&pg=PA22|title=Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding|last=Haqqani|first=Husain|publisher=PublicAffairs|year=2013|isbn=9781610393171|pages=22|quote=During this time most of the Arab world was going through a nationalist awakening. Pan-Islamic dreams involving the unification of Muslim countries, possibly under Pakistani leadership, had little attraction.}}</ref> Some of the Arab countries saw the 'Islamistan' project as a Pakistani attempt to dominate other Muslim states.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pj8DIT_bva0C&q=muslim+countries+refused+islamistan&pg=PA134|title=The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan|last=Roberts|first=Jeffery J.|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2003|isbn=9780275978785|pages=134|quote=The following year, Choudhry Khaliquzzaman toured the Middle East, pleading for the formation of an alliance or confederation of Muslim states. The Arab states, often citing Pakistan's inability to solve its problems with Muslim neighbor Afghanistan, showed little enthusiasm...Some saw the effort to form 'Islamistan' as a Pakistani attempt to dominate other Muslim states.}}</ref>

Pakistan vigorously championed the right of self-determination for Muslims around the world. Pakistan's efforts for the independence movements of [[Indonesia]], [[Libya]], [[Algeria]], [[Tunisia]], [[Egypt]], [[Morocco]], [[Somalia]], [[Azerbaijan]], and [[Eritrea]] were significant and initially led to close ties between these countries and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HPWrAgAAQBAJ&q=In+1949+Pakistan+held+an+International+Islamic+Conference&pg=PT178|title=Explaining Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Escaping India|last=Pande|first=Aparna|publisher=Routledge|year=2011|isbn=9781136818936|quote=The belief that the creation of Pakistan made Pakistan the true leader of Muslim causes around the world led Pakistan's diplomats to vigorously champion the cause of self-determination for fellow Muslims at the United Nations. Pakistan's founders, including Jinnah, supported anti-colonial movements: ''Our heart and soul go out in sympathy with those who are struggling for their freedom...If subjugation and exploitation are carried on, there will be no peace and there will be no end to wars.'' Pakistani efforts on behalf of Indonesia (1948), Algeria (1948–1949), Tunisia (1948–1949), Morocco (1948–1956) and Eritrea (1960–1991) were significant and initially led to close ties between these countries and Pakistan.}}</ref> However, Pakistan also masterminded an attack on the Afghan city of [[Jalalabad]] during the [[Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)|Afghan Civil War]] to establish an Islamic government there. Pakistan had wished to foment an '[[Iranian Revolution|Islamic Revolution]]' which would transcend national borders covering Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/08/legacy-pakistan-loved-loathed-hamid-gul-150817114006616.html|title=The legacy of Pakistan's loved and loathed Hamid Gul|last=Nasir|first=Abbas|date=18 August 2015|work=Al-Jazeera|quote=His commitment to jihad – to an Islamic revolution transcending national boundaries, was such that he dreamed one day the "green Islamic flag" would flutter not just over Pakistan and Afghanistan, but also over territories represented by the (former Soviet Union) Central Asian republics. After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, as the director-general of the Pakistan's intelligence organisation, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, an impatient Gul wanted to establish a government of the so-called Mujahideen on Afghan soil.|access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref>

On the other hand, Pakistan's relations with [[Iran]] have been strained at times due to sectarian tensions.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wLtA_J3VUt4C&q=iran+pakistan+relations+shia&pg=PA144|title=Iran's Foreign Policy in the Post-Soviet Era: Resisting the New International Order|last=Hunter|first=Shireen|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2010|isbn=9780313381942|pages=144|quote=Since then, Pakistan's sectarian tensions have been a major irritant in Iranian-Pakistan relations.}}</ref> Iran and [[Saudi Arabia]] used Pakistan as a battleground for their proxy sectarian war and by the 1990s, Pakistan's support for the Sunni [[Taliban]] organization in Afghanistan became a problem for [[Shia]]-led Iran which opposed a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ceg-kSmft94C&q=iran+pakistan+relations+shia&pg=PA159|title=Explaining Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Escaping India|last=Pande|first=Aparna|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2011|isbn=9781136818943|pages=159|quote=Both Saudi Arabia and Iran used Pakistan as a battleground for their proxy war for the 'hearts and minds' of Pakistani Sunnis and Shias with the resultant rise in sectarian tensions in Pakistan. The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan in the 1990s further strained Pakistan-Iran relations. Pakistan's support of the Sunni Pashtun organization created problems for Shia Iran for whom a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan was a nightmare.}}</ref> Tensions between Iran and Pakistan intensified in 1998, when Iran accused Pakistan of war crimes as Pakistani warplanes bombarded Afghanistan's last Shia stronghold in support of the Taliban.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/09/14/iran-raises-anti-pakistan-outcry/|title=Iran Raises Anti-pakistan Outcry|last=Schmetzer|first=Uli|date=14 September 1998|work=Chicago Tribune|quote=Karachi, Pakistan–Iran, which has amassed 200,000 troops on the border with Afghanistan, accused Pakistan on Sunday of sending warplanes to strafe and bombard Afghanistan's last Shiite stronghold, which fell hours earlier to the Taliban, the Sunni militia now controlling the central Asian country.|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/09/16/afghanistan-arena-for-a-new-rivalry/eeedba2f-03b7-4ed6-ba97-91e51e633e96/|title=Afghanistan: Arena For a New Rivalry |last=Constable |first=Pamela |author-link=Pamela Constable |date=16 September 1998|newspaper=The Washington Post|quote=Taliban officials accused Iran of providing military support to the opposition forces; Tehran radio accused Pakistan of sending its air force to bomb the city in support of the Taliban's advance and said Iran was holding Pakistan responsible for what it termed war crimes at Bamiyan. Pakistan has denied that accusation and previous allegations of direct involvement in the Afghan conflict. Also fueling the volatile situation are ethnic and religious rivalries between the Taliban, who are Sunni Muslims of Afghanistan's dominant Pashtun ethnic group, and the opposition factions, many of which represent other ethnic groups or include Shiite Muslims. Iran, a Shiite Muslim state, has a strong interest in promoting that sect; Pakistan, one of the Taliban's few international allies, is about 80 percent Sunni.|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref> Although Iran later established ties with the reestablished Taliban government in Afghanistan,<ref name=T/> the [[insurgency in Balochistan]] has increased friction in relations between Iran and Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Experts react: What's really going on with Pakistan and Iran exchanging attacks? |date=18 January 2024 |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react-whats-really-going-on-with-pakistan-and-iran-exchanging-attacks/ |publisher=Atlantic Council |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref> In the 1960s, the problems over the [[Durand Line]] escalated with [[Afghanistan]] which led to open hostilities in the 1970s. After the Taliban took power in 2021, [[Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes|border clashes]] between Pakistan and Afghanistan have increased sharply.<ref name=T>{{Cite web |last=Umair |first=Jamal |date=28 September 2021 |title=Iran and Pakistan: Bilateral Bonding Over the Taliban |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/bilateral-bonding-over-the-taliban/ |website=The Diplomat |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501063229/https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/bilateral-bonding-over-the-taliban/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Major alliances===
{{Main|South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation|Economic Cooperation Organization|Shanghai Cooperation Organisation}}In 1947 after gaining independence from the United Kingdom, Pakistan still had close ties with the country. The [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Liaquat Ali Khan]] also paid a historical and friendly [[state visit]] to the [[United States]], and held meetings with [[President of the United States|President]] [[Harry Truman]] and the American military officials for the purpose of the military aid<ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan"/> in 1951. Ideologically, [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Liaquat Ali Khan|Ali Khan]] was opposed to [[communism]]; and his government was struggling with issues concerning the matters of uplifting the [[Economy of Pakistan|national economy]] and protecting interests of [[National Security Council of Pakistan|national security]].<ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan">{{cite web |last=Hamid Hussain |title=Tale of a love affair that never was: United States–Pakistan Defence Relations |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm |work=Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan |access-date=12 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304115412/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm |archive-date=4 March 2012 }}</ref> In 1954–56, the [[United States]] and Pakistan signed the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement which saw the dispatching of the [[Military Assistance Advisory Group]] to provide military training to the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]] in 1955–56.<ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan"/>

In 1955, Pakistan joined the [[Central Treaty Organization|CENTO]] and the [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization|SEATO]] alliances.<ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan"/> Also, in 1956, when Pakistan declared itself a republic, it continued as a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. In 1971, Pakistan withdrew itself from the two alliances in a vision of exercising an independent foreign policy.  In 1964, Pakistan signed the [[Regional Cooperation for Development]] (RCD) Pact with Turkey and Iran, when all three countries were closely allied with the U.S., and as neighbours of the Soviet Union, wary of perceived Soviet expansionism. To this day, Pakistan has a close relationship with Turkey. RCD became defunct after the [[Iranian Revolution]], and a Pakistani-Turkish initiative led to the founding of the [[Economic Cooperation Organization]] (ECO) in 1985. In 1974, Pakistan became a critical entity in the militarization of the [[Organisation of Islamic Conference|OIC]] and has historically maintained friendly relations with all the Arab and Muslim countries under the banner of OIC. Pakistan rejoined the Commonwealth in 1989. In 2004, Pakistan became a [[Major non-NATO ally]] of the United States.

Pakistan was a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] from 1947 to 1956 under the name '[[Dominion of Pakistan]]'. From 1956 to 1972, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was a [[republic in the Commonwealth of Nations]], when it withdrew in protest at the Commonwealth's support of [[East Pakistan]]'s secession and [[Bangladesh]]'s independence. In 1989, Pakistan rejoined, despite Pakistan's [[suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations]] between 1999 and 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/pakistan-rejoins-commonwealth-827109.html|title=Pakistan rejoins Commonwealth|date=13 May 2008|work=The Independent|access-date=3 March 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319121430/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/pakistan-rejoins-commonwealth-827109.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/nov/22/foreignpolicy.uk|title=Pakistan suspended from Commonwealth|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|date=22 November 2007|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 March 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

At the [[2017 SCO summit|Astana Summit on 9 June 2017]], Pakistan became full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Pakistan, Iran and China have also established a 'Trilateral Consultation' to discuss counter-terrorism and security.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan-China-Iran Trilateral Consultation on Counter Terrorism and Security |url=https://mofa.gov.pk/pakistan-china-iran-trilateral-consultation-on-counter-terrorism-and-security |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Ministry of foreign affairs, Government of Pakistan |language=en}}</ref>

===Major dissensions===

====Tensions with India====
{{Main|India–Pakistan relations|Bleed India with a Thousand Cuts}}

Since 1947, Pakistan's relations have been difficult with neighbour [[India]] over regional issues. India and Pakistan have fought [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|three conventional wars]] throughout the 20th century over the issue of [[Kashmir]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Pakistan: Nationalism Without a Nation|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe|publisher=Zed Books|year=2002|isbn=1842771175|location=Internet|pages=195–196}}</ref> There have been attempts to unite the countries but since 1940, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his Muslim League had demanded an independent Pakistan, whose Muslims would have their own government rather than remaining subordinate to India's Hindu majority.<ref>{{Cite book|title=India and Pakistan|last= Wolpert|first= Stanley|publisher=University of California Press|year=2010|page=7}}</ref> There are many sources of tension between the two countries but the issues over terrorism, size disparities and three geostrategic issues: Kashmir, water, and the Siachen Glacier, are the major ones resulting in the attenuated volume of trade and trust deficit.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Shooting for a Century|last=Choen|first=Stephen|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=2013|page=33}}</ref> The continuing dispute over the status of Kashmir inflames opinions in both nations and makes friendly relations difficult. Since 2019, Pakistan has frozen in relations with India after [[Revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir|India revoked the autonomy of its administered Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Asif |first1=Mehmood |title=India-Pakistan trade remains in deep freeze |date=9 February 2022 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2342718/india-pakistan-trade-remains-in-deep-freeze |publisher=The Express Tribune |access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> Pakistan is also a member of the [[Coffee Club]] to oppose Indian membership in the [[United Nations Security Council]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anirban |first1=Bhaumik |title=Pakistan raises Kashmir at UNSC, opposes India's permanent membership bid |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/pakistan-raises-kashmir-at-unsc-opposes-indias-permanent-membership-bid-1172098.html |publisher=Deccan herald |access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref>

====Trust Deficit with U.S.====
{{Main|Pakistan–United States relations|Anti-American sentiment in Pakistan}}

The United States has played an important role in the young history of Pakistan, being one of the first countries to recognize their independence on 14 August 1947.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3453.htm|title=Pakistan|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=1 March 2017}}</ref> Pakistan consistently found themselves on the United States side of issues faced during the Cold War.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sunawar|first1=Lubwa|last2=Cuotto|first2=Tatiana|year=2015|title=U.S. Pakistan Relations During the Cold War|url=http://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=agsjournal|journal=The Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development|volume=1|via=arcadia}}</ref> At the time, Pakistan served as a geostrategic position for United States military bases since it bordered the Soviet Union and China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=agsjournal|title=US-Pakistan Relations during Cold War}}</ref> The relationship between the two countries went through varying levels of friendliness, but these positive relations would fall apart following successful cooperation in fighting the Soviet Union's influence in [[Central Asia]] and the subsequent fall of the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Nguyen Khanh Van  |title=United States–Pakistan Relations in Post-Cold War Era: A Political–Security Perspective |journal=The Journal of Indian and Asian Studies |date=January 2020 |volume=1 |doi=10.1142/S2717541320500011 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

In reaction to Pakistan's new nuclear capacity, the United States in 1992 passed the [[Pressler amendment|Pressler Amendment]] approving sanctions against Pakistan,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Perkovich|first=George|year=1993|title=A Nuclear Third Way in South Asia|journal=Foreign Policy|volume=91|pages=92}}</ref> Relations would restrengthen following [[September 11 attacks|9/11]] with Pakistan's warm response following the tragedy. Aid was given to Pakistan for the first time again in 2002, and the 2000s saw an extension of this friendly relationship. The [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush]] and [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama]] administrations has concerns regarding [[terrorism in Pakistan|Pakistan include regional and global terrorism]]; Afghan stability; democratization and human rights protection; the ongoing [[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir problem]] and Pakistan-India tensions; and economic development.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pakistan and U.S. Relations|last1=Kelly|first1=Charles B.|last2=Beasley|first2=Francis V.|publisher=[[Nova Science Publishers, Inc.]]|year=2009|page=1}}</ref> This dynamic would reach a head following a few incidents highlighted by the operation to [[Death of Osama bin Laden|kill Osama bin Laden]] in [[Abbottabad]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-may-07-la-ed-pakistan-20110507-story.html|title=An unhappy alliance|date=7 May 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=1 March 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> While America's troubled relationship with Pakistan continues to be eroded by crisis after crisis,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vinay |first1=Kaura |title=The US and Pakistan have a trust deficit |url=https://mei.edu/publications/us-and-pakistan-have-trust-deficit |website=Middle East Institute |access-date=18 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> bilateral relationship persists of promoting trade and regional economic cooperation, this type of relationship is beneficial for both countries and gives incentive for continuing friendly relations in the early 2010s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Shooting for a Century|last=Choen|first=Stephen |publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=2013|page=179}}</ref> However, with the U.S. troops withdrawal, its role in serving as a conduit for the U.S. in Afghanistan has ended.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Akhilesh |first1=Pillalamarri |title=How Did Pakistan Become Geopolitically Irrelevant? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/how-did-pakistan-become-geopolitically-irrelevant/ |publisher=The Diplomat  |access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref>

Recently U.S. stopped military aid to Pakistan, which was about US$2 billion per year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jamal|first1=Umair|title=Trump's decision to cut military aid to Pakistan may prove costly to both|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/trumps-decision-to-cut-military-aid-to-pakistan-may-prove-costly-to-both|access-date=13 January 2018|work=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=12 January 2018|language=en}}</ref> America's deference to India reflects its importance to counter China's influence in Asia. This imposes a ceiling on cooperation with Pakistan, limiting it to the non-strategic domain.<ref name=A/> Former Prime Minister Imran Khan had named senior U.S. diplomat [[Donald Lu]] as the person who was allegedly involved in the "foreign conspiracy" to topple his government through a [[No-confidence motion against Imran Khan|no-confidence vote tabled by the Opposition]]. The U.S. has repeatedly dismissed Khan's allegations.<ref name="Imran">{{Cite web|url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/blinken-bilawal-discuss-bilateral-ties-in-first-contact-since-formation-of-new-government-in-pakistan/article65390939.ece |title=Blinken, Bilawal discuss bilateral ties in first contact since formation of new government in Pakistan |date=7 May 2022|work=The Hindu}}</ref>

==== World governance initiatives ====
Pakistan signed the agreement to convene a convention for drafting a [[world constitution]], leading to the establishment of the [[Constitution for the Federation of Earth]] in 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letters from Thane Read asking Helen Keller to sign the World Constitution for world peace. 1961 |url=https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B149-F04-022.1.8 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Helen Keller Archive |publisher=American Foundation for the Blind}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter from World Constitution Coordinating Committee to Helen, enclosing current materials |url=https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B154-F05-028.1.4 |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=Helen Keller Archive |publisher=American Foundation for the Blind}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Preparing earth constitution {{!}} Global Strategies & Solutions {{!}} The Encyclopedia of World Problems |url=http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=The Encyclopedia of World Problems {{!}} Union of International Associations (UIA) |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719215501/http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Ayub Khan]], then president of Pakistan, endorsed the agreement to convene a World Constituent Assembly.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1962-06-07 |title=Pakistan Announces Delegates Named |page=5 |work=Arizona Sun |url=https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/118619}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Amerasinghe |first=Terence P. |title=Emerging World Law, Volume 1 |publisher=Institute for Economic Democracy |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-933567-16-7 |page=50 |language=en}}</ref> Member of Parliament and adviser to the Prime Minister, [[Ahmed Ebrahim Haroon Jaffer]], represented Pakistan at the World Constituent Assembly in [[Interlaken]], Switzerland in August 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-29 |title=Als Interlaken die heimliche Welthauptstadt war |url=https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/als-interlaken-die-heimliche-welthauptstadt-war-476772910117 |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=[[Berner Zeitung]] |language=de}}</ref>

In 1982, the inaugural [[Provisional World Parliament|Provisional World Parliament (PWP)]] convened in [[Brighton]], United Kingdom, with Pakistani [[jurist]] and [[diplomat]] [[Muhammad Zafarullah Khan|Sir Chaudhry Mohammad Zafarullah Khan]] presiding over the session at the [[Royal Pavilion]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Amerasinghe |first=Terence P. |title=Emerging World Law, Volume 1 |publisher=Institute for Economic Democracy |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-933567-16-7 |page=61 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Provisional World Parliament {{!}} UIA Yearbook Profile {{!}} Union of International Associations |url=https://uia.org/s/or/en/1100012539 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=uia.org}}</ref>

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