PAK-UK RELATIONS (1947-99)

Question 1

How did Great Britain assist Pakistan after its independence in 1947?

Answer 1

• After independence, Great Britain provided Pakistan with financial and technical aid to cope with early difficulties.
• British officers, such as General Douglas Gracy, helped train the Pakistan Army along modern lines.
• Britain also gave financial support, including one million pounds sterling for the Sui gas project and aid through the Commonwealth’s Colombo Plan in 1950.

Question 2

Why did Pakistan remain a member of the Commonwealth after independence?

Answer 2

• Pakistan remained a member of the Commonwealth as it was a British dominion, meaning it was independent but recognized the British Emperor as the head of state.
• This allowed Pakistan to receive technical and financial aid from Britain and other Commonwealth countries, such as Canada, which provided $40 million for railway development.

Question 3

How did Pakistan and Britain cooperate in the 1950s?

Answer 3

• In 1954-55, Pakistan and Britain agreed to work together as members of SEATO and CENTO, strengthening their military and political ties.
• However, relations suffered setbacks when many Pakistani army officers resented the presence of British officers, leading to an unsuccessful military coup attempt in 1951.

Question 4

What were the early conflicts between Pakistan and Great Britain?

Answer 4

• Pakistan was unhappy with the Radcliffe Award, as some Muslim-majority districts in Punjab were given to India.
• Britain also failed to resolve the Kashmir dispute, which was a major setback.
• In 1956, Pakistan criticized Britain for its attack on the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Question 5

How did Pakistan’s relations with Britain change after the 1965 and 1971 wars?

Answer 5

• Britain played a key role in ending the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.
• However, Pakistan was disappointed when it did not receive military aid from SEATO and CENTO in both the 1965 and 1971 wars.
• Relations further declined when Britain recognized Bangladesh, leading Pakistan to leave SEATO and the Commonwealth.

Question 6

How did Britain support Pakistan during the Afghan War in the 1980s?

Answer 6

• During the Soviet-Afghan War, Britain supported Pakistan.
• British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was the first Western leader to visit Pakistan in 1981.
• Britain provided 30 million Sterling Pounds in aid to help Pakistan accommodate Afghan refugees and later gave an additional 16 million Sterling Pounds for refugee support in Balochistan and KPK.

Question 7

What was the significance of Britain’s trade relationship with Pakistan in the 1980s?

Answer 7

• Britain remained a major trading partner of Pakistan, with trade between the two countries reaching 376 million Sterling Pounds by 1986.
• This economic partnership strengthened Pakistan’s relations with Britain and the Commonwealth.

Question 8

How did Pakistan rejoin the Commonwealth in 1989?

Answer 8

• After the end of Zia-ul-Haq’s military rule in 1988, Benazir Bhutto rejoined the Commonwealth in 1989, improving Pakistan’s relations with Britain.
• Both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif visited Britain in the 1990s to strengthen ties.

Question 9

How did Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Pakistan in 1997 reflect strong relations?

Answer 9

• Queen Elizabeth II visited Pakistan on 14th August 1997 to attend the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
• She was given a warm welcome, showing the positive relationship between Pakistan and Britain.
• The large Pakistani population in Britain also contributed to strong diplomatic and economic ties.

Question 10

What were the tensions between Pakistan and Britain during Z.A. Bhutto’s rule?

Answer 10

• Z.A. Bhutto’s policies of strengthening ties with communist states like the USSR and China were not favored by Britain.
• When Bhutto was sentenced to death, Britain did not intervene or pressurize Zia-ul-Haq for an amnesty, despite Bhutto expecting support from British Foreign Minister James Callaghan.

Question 11

How did Britain react to Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998?

Answer 11

• Britain, like the USA, was concerned about Pakistan’s nuclear program.
• When Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, Britain and the Commonwealth imposed sanctions and stopped financial aid to Pakistan.

Question 12

Was Pakistan’s relationship with Britain and the Commonwealth successful overall?

Answer 12

• Despite some setbacks, Pakistan’s relationship with Britain and the Commonwealth was largely successful due to strong trade ties, financial and technical aid, and diplomatic cooperation.
• Britain invested in Pakistan’s development, and economic relations remained strong for most of the period from 1947 to 1999.