Editing Pakistan (section)

==== Relations with the Muslim world ====
After Independence, Pakistan vigorously pursued bilateral relations with other Muslim countries.{{R|Pasha-2005-1}} The [[Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar|Ali]] brothers sought to project Pakistan as the natural leader of the Islamic world, partly due to its significant manpower and military strength.{{R|Pasha-2005-2}} [[Chaudhry Khaliquzzaman|Khaliquzzaman]], a prominent [[All India Muslim League|Muslim League]] leader, declared Pakistan's ambition to unite all Muslim countries into [[Islamistan]], a pan-Islamic entity.{{R|Dhulipala-2015-5}}

These developments, alongside Pakistan's creation, didn't receive approval from the United States, with British Prime Minister [[Clement Attlee]] expressing a hope for India and Pakistan to reunite.{{R|Haqqani-2013-1}} However, due to a nationalist awakening in the Arab world at that time, there was little interest in Pakistan's Pan-Islamic aspirations.{{R|Haqqani-2013-2}} Some Arab countries perceived the 'Islamistan' project as Pakistan's bid to dominate other Muslim states.{{R|Roberts-2003}}

Pakistan's founder, [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], consistently advocated for the [[Palestinian nationalism|Palestinian cause]], shaping Pakistan's foreign policy to support Palestinian rights within the broader framework of Muslim solidarity.{{sfn|Jafri|Sultana|Ijaz|2021}} During the [[Six-Day War|1967 Arab-Israel war]], Pakistan supported the Arab states and played a key role in securing Iran's backing for the Arab cause both within the U.N. and beyond.{{sfn|Arora|Grover|1995}}

Pakistan's relations with Iran have been strained by sectarian tensions,{{R|Hunter-2010}} with both Iran and Saudi Arabia using Pakistan as a battleground for their proxy sectarian war.{{R|Pande-2011-2}} Since the early days of the [[Iran–Iraq war]], President [[Zia-ul-Haq]] played an important mediatory role, with Pakistan actively engaging in efforts to end the conflict.{{sfn|Talbot|2020}}{{sfn|Rose|Husain|1985}} Pakistan provided support to Saudi Arabia during the [[Gulf War]].{{sfn|Halladay|Matei|Bruneau|2021}} Pakistan chose to remain neutral during [[Operation Decisive Storm]], refraining from sending military support to Saudi Arabia in its offensive against [[Yemen]]. Instead, Pakistan aimed to play a proactive diplomatic role in resolving the crisis,{{sfn|Panda|2019}} which led to tensions between the two countries.{{sfn|Halladay|Matei|Bruneau|2021}} In 2016, Pakistan mediated between Saudi Arabia and Iran following the execution of Shia cleric [[Nimr al-Nimr]], with visits to both countries by then Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] and the Chief of Army Staff, [[Raheel Sharif]].{{sfn|Basharat|2023}}

Pakistan provided refuge to millions of displaced Afghans after the [[Soviet–Afghan War|Soviet invasion]] and supported the [[Afghan mujahideen]] in their efforts to expel Soviet forces from Afghanistan.{{sfn|Riedel|2010}} After the Soviets withdrew, [[Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)|infighting erupted among Mujahideen factions]] over control of Afghanistan. Pakistan facilitated [[Peshawar Accord|peace talks]] to help end the conflict.{{sfn|Visoka|Richmond|2022}} After four years of unresolved conflict between rival Mujahideen groups, Pakistan helped establish the Taliban as a stabilizing force.{{sfn|Maizland|2023}} Pakistan's support for the Sunni Taliban in Afghanistan challenged Shia-led Iran, which opposed a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.{{R|Pande-2011-2}}

Pakistan vigorously advocated for self-determination among Muslims globally. Its efforts in supporting independence movements in countries like Indonesia, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and [[Eritrea]] fostered strong ties.{{R|Pande-2011-1}} Due to its support for [[Azerbaijan]] in the [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]], Pakistan has not established [[Armenia–Pakistan relations|diplomatic relations]] with [[Armenia]].{{sfn|Berg|Kursani|2021}}{{sfn|Babayev|Schoch|Spanger|2019}}

Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced strained relations, particularly under the [[Awami League]] governments led by [[Sheikh Hasina]], driven by her pro-India stance and historical grievances.{{sfn|Ahmed|Zahoor|2019}}

Pakistan, a prominent member of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] (OIC), prioritizes maintaining cultural, political, social, and economic relations with Arab and other Muslim-majority nations in its foreign policy.{{sfn|Pande|2011}}